COMPLETE 2026 GUIDE

Sikkim Tour Packages: A Practical 2026 Guide for Kolkata Travellers

Routes, permits, best months and a 6-day plan — compare Sikkim tour packages before you book with Bong Bhromon Tours.

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What Sikkim Tour Packages Cover

Sikkim tour packages bundle your hotels, vehicle, sightseeing and area permits into one booking. From Kolkata, most travellers need five nights and six days: an overnight train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), three nights in Gangtok and two in Lachung or Pelling. Indian citizens need no entry permit, but Tsomgo Lake, Nathula and North Sikkim require a Protected Area Permit.

Sikkim tour packages are pre-arranged trips where one operator books your stay, transport, sightseeing and permits for a fixed price. They usually start and end at NJP station or Bagdogra airport in Siliguri. Train or flight tickets from your home city may or may not be included, so always check with Bong Bhromon Tours before paying an advance.

Key Takeaways

• Five nights and six days suit a first Sikkim tour from Kolkata.

• March to May and October to mid-December are the best months.

• Indian citizens need no permit to enter Sikkim.

• Tsomgo Lake, Nathula, Zuluk and North Sikkim need a Protected Area Permit (PAP).

Gangtok · North Sikkim · Pelling · Darjeeling

DURATION

7N/8D

BEST FOR

Puja or winter vacation

Package prices change with season, hotel category and the number of people sharing a vehicle. Puja, Christmas and May dates cost more than off-season dates.

SEE ALL SIKKIM PACKAGES

WHAT'S IN THE PRICE

What Do Sikkim Tour Packages Include?

Usually included

• Hotel or homestay on twin or triple sharing

• Breakfast and dinner

• A reserved vehicle for transfers and sightseeing

• Protected Area Permits for the places in your itinerary

• Driver allowance, tolls and parking

Usually not included

• Train or flight tickets, unless the package says Kolkata to Kolkata

• Lunch and snacks on the road

• Nathula Pass and Zero Point, which many operators sell as add-ons

• Ropeway tickets, yak rides and snow-boot hire

• The ₹50 state tourist fee

GETTING THERE

How Do You Reach Sikkim from Kolkata?

There is no direct train to Sikkim. Every route from Kolkata passes through Siliguri, followed by a road journey of about 120 km to Gangtok.

OVERNIGHT TRAIN

Sealdah/Howrah to NJP, ~10 hrs

VANDE BHARAT

Howrah to NJP, ~8 hrs

FLIGHT

Kolkata to Bagdogra, ~1 hr

ROAD

NJP/Bagdogra to Gangtok, 4–5 hrs

Check exact train timings on IRCTC before booking, because schedules change. Indian Railways currently opens reservations 60 days before departure.

BEST TIME TO GO

When Is the Best Time for a Sikkim Tour?

The best time for a Sikkim tour is March to May and October to mid-December. Autumn gives the clearest views of Kanchenjunga.

Month by month

• March to May — rhododendrons in Yumthang, pleasant days, summer holiday crowds

• June to September — heavy rain, landslides and frequent road closures

• October to mid-December — clear mountain views and the Puja rush

• Late December to February — snow at high points, very cold nights, some roads shut

PERMITS

Do Indian Tourists Need a Permit for Sikkim?

Indian citizens do not need a permit to enter Sikkim. They do need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for border and high-altitude areas.

Permit requirements by area

• Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla, Namchi — no permit needed

• Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir — Protected Area Permit

• Nathula Pass — Protected Area Permit, limited by a daily quota

• Zuluk and the Silk Route — Protected Area Permit

• Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang, Gurudongmar — Protected Area Permit

A registered tour operator like Bong Bhromon Tours applies for the permit on your behalf. Carry your original voter ID, passport or driving licence, with photocopies and passport-size photographs for each traveller. Foreign nationals are not allowed at Nathula Pass, and Sikkim has also announced QR-coded online permits — ask your operator which system applies on your dates.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

What Is a Good Sikkim Tour Plan for 6 Days?

A six-day Sikkim tour plan works best with two bases: Gangtok and Lachung. Here is the plan we suggest to first-time travellers from Kolkata.

Day-wise plan

• Night before: board the overnight train from Sealdah to NJP.

• Day 1: drive from NJP to Gangtok and spend the evening on MG Marg.

• Day 2: visit Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. Nathula is added if the permit is granted.

• Day 3: drive from Gangtok to Lachung, a journey of six to seven hours.

• Day 4: visit Yumthang Valley, then return to Lachung.

• Day 5: drive back to Gangtok and keep the evening free.

• Day 6: leave Gangtok by 9 am for the evening train from NJP.

If the North Sikkim road is closed, replace Days 3 to 5 with Ravangla, Namchi and Pelling. Ask Bong Bhromon Tours for this fallback in writing.

A Practical Example

Take a family of four from Behala travelling in the Puja holidays, with one grandparent aged 68. They want snow and mountain views, but not long days in the car. In our opinion, the Gangtok and Pelling route suits them better than North Sikkim — the altitude is gentler, the drives are shorter and nobody has to skip a day. This is an illustration, not a real booking.

CHOOSE WISELY

How Do You Choose a Sikkim Tour and Travels Company?

Choosing a Sikkim tour and travels company comes down to what is written on the quote. Ask every operator the same five questions.

Ask every operator

• Which hotels, by name, are included?

• Is the vehicle reserved or shared, and what type is it?

• Which permits are included, and which are "subject to availability"?

• What is the fallback route if a road closes?

• What is the cancellation and refund policy?

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Action Checklist and Common Mistakes

Action checklist before you book

• Fix your travel dates and count your leave days.

• Book train tickets on the day reservations open.

• Collect photo ID copies and passport-size photographs for everyone.

• Get a written, day-wise itinerary with hotel names.

• Confirm North Sikkim road status one week before travel.

• Pack warm layers, basic medicines and enough cash.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Paying for the package before the train ticket is confirmed.

• Assuming Nathula is included when the quote says "subject to permit".

• Squeezing North Sikkim, Pelling and Darjeeling into five days.

• Taking elderly parents to very high altitude without a doctor's advice.

• Comparing packages on price alone, without checking hotel names.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Sikkim tour packages cost?

The cost of Sikkim tour packages depends on four things: season, number of nights, hotel category and how many people share the vehicle. Train travel from Kolkata is cheaper than flying to Bagdogra. Ask for a written quote that lists hotels by name, and compare like for like.

How many days are enough for a Sikkim tour?

Five nights and six days are enough for a first Sikkim tour from Kolkata. That covers Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and either Lachung or Pelling without rushing. Add two more days if you want both North and West Sikkim, or Darjeeling.

Do Indian tourists need a permit for Sikkim?

No, Indian citizens do not need a permit to enter Sikkim or visit Gangtok and Pelling. A Protected Area Permit is required for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula, Zuluk and North Sikkim. A registered tour operator arranges it using your photo ID and passport-size photographs.

What is the best time for a Sikkim tour?

March to May and October to mid-December are the best months for a Sikkim tour. Spring brings rhododendrons in Yumthang Valley, while autumn gives the clearest Kanchenjunga views. Avoid July to mid-September, when heavy rain often causes landslides and road closures.

Is North Sikkim open for tourists now?

North Sikkim is reopening in phases in 2026 after the 2023 flood damaged roads and bridges. Reports say the Lachung and Yumthang route is operating, while access beyond depends on road and weather clearance. Confirm the current status with your operator a week before travel.

How do I reach Sikkim from Kolkata?

Take an overnight train from Sealdah or Howrah to New Jalpaiguri, or a one-hour flight to Bagdogra. From either point, Gangtok is about 120 km by road and takes four to five hours. There is no direct train to Sikkim.

Keep Planning

Explore more before you book.

EXPLORE SIKKIM DESTINATIONS SEE DARJEELING TOUR PACKAGES ABOUT BONG BHROMON TOURS

Official Resources

Verify permits, train timings and weather directly with these official sources before you travel.

SIKKIM TOURISM (GOVT.) IRCTC TRAIN BOOKING IMD WEATHER WARNINGS

Plan Your Sikkim Tour with Bong Bhromon Tours

Get a day-wise plan and a written quote for your dates — permits, vehicles and hotel bookings sorted before you even pack.

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