DomesticAdventure

7-Day Dzongu and North Sikkim Offbeat

Dzongu is the reserved Lepcha homeland below Kanchenjunga — homestays, hot springs and cardamom terraces, with almost no other travellers. Paired with Lachen and Lachung for the high north.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bagdogra to Gangtok
Pick up and drive to Gangtok. Permits submitted.
Meals
Dinner
Stay
Gangtok
Day 2: Gangtok to Dzongu
North to the Teesta confluence and into the Dzongu reserve.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Dzongu homestay
Day 3: Dzongu
Village walks, the hot springs and a Lepcha kitchen for lunch.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Dzongu homestay
Day 4: Dzongu to Lachen
North to Lachen through Chungthang.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Lachen
Day 5: Gurudongmar and Lachung
Pre-dawn run to Gurudongmar, then across to Lachung.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Lachung
Day 6: Yumthang to Gangtok
Yumthang Valley in the morning, then the long drive back to Gangtok.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Gangtok
Day 7: Departure
Drive down to Bagdogra.
Meals
Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Lepcha homestays in Dzongu, a reserved area
Hot springs at Ringhim and Lingthem
Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley
Cardamom and orange terraces above the Teesta
Special permits for Dzongu arranged

What's included

Accommodation as per the itinerary, on twin sharing
Daily breakfast and dinner
All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle with a Sikkim-registered driver
Protected Area Permits and Restricted Area Permits where required
Driver allowance, fuel, tolls and parking

What's not included

Airfare or train fare to Bagdogra / NJP
Lunch throughout
Nathu La Pass permit, which is issued only to Indian nationals at extra cost
Cable car, yak rides and entry tickets at monasteries and viewpoints
Anything the itinerary does not name

Pickup point

Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station

Cancellation policy

Cancel 30 days or more before departure — full refund minus a ₹2,000 processing fee.

Cancel 15 to 29 days before departure — 50% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel 7 to 14 days before departure — 25% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel within 7 days of departure — no refund.

North Sikkim permits are issued against a fixed vehicle and date and cannot be transferred. Gurudongmar and Nathu La close without notice for snow or army movement; when that happens we refund the unused portion and reroute the day.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for North Sikkim?

Yes. Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar and Yumthang are all in protected areas and need a permit issued at Gangtok against your ID and a registered vehicle. We arrange it — carry a voter ID or passport plus two passport photographs. Aadhaar alone is not accepted for Nathu La.

Can foreign nationals visit North Sikkim?

Foreign nationals can visit Lachung and Yumthang with a Protected Area Permit arranged through a registered operator, but Gurudongmar and Nathu La are closed to them. If you hold a foreign passport, tell us at booking so we route you correctly.

When does Gurudongmar Lake stay open?

Roughly March to early June and late September to November. It sits at 17,800 ft and freezes hard in deep winter; the army closes the road on short notice for snow. No operator can guarantee it, and any who does is guessing.

Will I get altitude sickness?

Gurudongmar and Nathu La are high enough to matter. We keep the Gangtok nights first so you acclimatise, go up and come back the same day, and carry oxygen in the vehicle. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should skip the Gurudongmar day.

When is the best time to visit?

March to May for rhododendrons and clear Kanchenjunga views, October to November for the sharpest skies. December to February is cold and beautiful with snow at Lachung. Avoid July and August — the Sikkim monsoon brings landslides and road closures.

Ready to book Dzongu and North Sikkim Offbeat?

Tell us your dates and group size and our team will confirm availability, hold the rooms and send you the invoice and vouchers.

Book This Tour

₹27,999₹33,000

Save ₹5,001

+ tax as applicable

Runs on any date you choose — tell us when and we will confirm availability.

Tour Option

Twin Sharing₹27,999

Sikkim

Kanchenjunga from your window.

Know Before You Go

Do I need a permit for North Sikkim?Yes. Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar and Yumthang are all in protected areas and need a permit issued at Gangtok against your ID and a registered vehicle. We arrange it — carry a voter ID or passport plus two passport photographs. Aadhaar alone is not accepted for Nathu La.
Can foreign nationals visit North Sikkim?Foreign nationals can visit Lachung and Yumthang with a Protected Area Permit arranged through a registered operator, but Gurudongmar and Nathu La are closed to them. If you hold a foreign passport, tell us at booking so we route you correctly.
When does Gurudongmar Lake stay open?Roughly March to early June and late September to November. It sits at 17,800 ft and freezes hard in deep winter; the army closes the road on short notice for snow. No operator can guarantee it, and any who does is guessing.

All questions →