Sikkim Weekend Escape: Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and Rumtek
Duration
4 Days 3 Nights
Pickup
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station
Drop
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station
Type
Short-haul
Overview & Highlights
This long-weekend trip gives you the mountains of Sikkim in four days, based in Gangtok for all three nights. You drive up to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir on the second day, then spend the next day at Rumtek Monastery and Gangtok's viewpoints and markets. The pace is easy, with no hotel changes. Nathu La is not part of this short trip. A trip captain travels with the group, and Indian meal options are available on request.
- Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, at about 3,780 m
- Baba Mandir, a memorial shrine on the high road towards Nathu La
- Rumtek Monastery, the main seat of the Karma Kagyu school
- Gangtok viewpoints, including Tashi View Point and Ganesh Tok
- An evening on MG Marg and the chance to try momos and thukpa
- Three nights in one hotel, with no packing and unpacking
- Trip captain with the group and Indian meal options on request
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra | Drive to Gangtok | MG Marg
- Arrive at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri station early in the morning and meet your trip captain.
- Drive to Gangtok, about 4 to 5 hours by road, with a stop for lunch on the way.
- Check in at your hotel and freshen up.
- Visit Ganesh Tok or stroll along MG Marg in the evening.
- Overnight stay in Gangtok.
2Day 2: Tsomgo Lake | Baba Mandir
- After an early breakfast, drive up to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, at about 3,780 m.
- Continue to Baba Mandir, a memorial shrine on the high road towards Nathu La.
- Return to Gangtok by afternoon and enjoy a free evening.
- Overnight stay in Gangtok.
3Day 3: Rumtek Monastery | Gangtok Viewpoints
- After breakfast, visit Rumtek Monastery near Gangtok.
- Stop at Tashi View Point for views of the hills and, in clear weather, Kanchenjunga.
- Spend the afternoon at leisure for shopping and cafes.
- Overnight stay in Gangtok.
4Day 4: Departure from Bagdogra
- After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
- Drive to Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri station, about 4 to 5 hours by road.
- Book an afternoon or evening departure to allow for the road journey.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Gangtok on twin sharing
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- AC vehicle for transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Permit for Tsomgo Lake, arranged by us
- Sightseeing in Gangtok as per itinerary
- Services of a trip captain throughout the tour
- Indian meal options on request, subject to availability
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- Flights or trains to and from Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Camera fees at monasteries and viewpoints, where charged
- Optional activities such as yak rides and river rafting
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
- GST as applicable
Other Info
Must carry
- Original government photo ID for every traveller, plus photocopies
- A few passport-size photographs, in case the permit needs them
- Thermals, a warm jacket, gloves and a woollen cap for Tsomgo Lake
- Waterproof jacket or umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm
- Personal medicines, including motion-sickness tablets if your doctor advises them
Notes
- Weekend trips are short, so flights or trains should arrive early on day 1 and depart late on the last day to make full use of the programme.
- Transport to and from the destination (flights or trains to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri) is not included, and we do not book it unless asked.
- Carry a valid government photo ID for every traveller (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence); it is needed for hotel check-in and for permits.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The order of the itinerary may change with weather, road or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
- Tsomgo Lake needs a permit, which we arrange. Nathu La is not part of this trip.
- Tsomgo Lake is at about 3,780 m, where the air is thin. Go slowly and drink water; take medical advice first if you have heart, breathing or blood pressure problems.
- Heavy rain from June to September can cause landslides and road delays in Sikkim, especially towards North Sikkim; sightseeing may be rearranged for safety.
- This is a group departure and runs on minimum numbers; we will inform you in advance if a departure needs to change. A trip captain accompanies the group throughout.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.