Sikkim
Sikkim suits travelers who want Himalayan views, Buddhist monasteries and high-altitude lakes in a small state with slow mountain roads.
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Sikkim is a mountainous state in northeast India, bordered by Nepal, Tibet (China), Bhutan and West Bengal. Gangtok is the capital and largest city. Travelers come for views of Kangchenjunga, India's highest peak and the world's third-highest, which lies on the Sikkim-Nepal border and can be seen from many parts of the state. Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers almost 35% of the state.
The state also draws visitors to Buddhist monasteries such as Rumtek and high-altitude lakes such as Tsongmo and Khecheopalri. The monarchy ended in 1975, when Sikkim became India's 22nd state. Most inhabited areas have summer temperatures that seldom exceed 28 °C. Monsoon rain runs roughly from June to September and triggers frequent landslides that can cut off villages and towns. Fog in winter also makes road travel hazardous, so allow extra time for the mountain roads. Many areas near the China border need official permits for foreign visitors.
Sikkim in five
- Check permits before you bookForeign visitors need special permits for restricted and protected border areas, which include parts of North Sikkim. Ask a registered Sikkim operator and the state tourism office what your route needs before you pay.UK guidance on restricted areas
- Fly or rail to Siliguri, then go by roadMost visitors reach Sikkim through Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri station near Siliguri, then take a shared or private jeep. Expect four to five hours to Gangtok on mountain roads.Siliguri & New Jalpaiguri
- Pick two bases, not fourGangtok for monasteries and food, plus Pelling or Yuksom for Kanchenjunga views, is a realistic first trip. Moving every night eats days on winding roads.Darjeeling travel guide
- Leave North Sikkim for the dry monthsLachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar sit at high altitude and roads suffer landslides in the monsoon. Allow acclimatization days and do not rush above 3,500 m.
- Carry cash and a spare layerATMs thin out away from towns, and card machines can fail with weak signal. Pack for temperature swings, and carry offline maps for stretches without data.
Things to do in Sikkim
See all attractions in Sikkim
Need to know
- Getting there
- Bagdogra airport or NJP station near Siliguri, then 4 to 5 hours by road
- Getting around
- Shared jeeps between towns; private cars for the north
- Best base
- Gangtok, plus Pelling or Yuksom for peak views
- Time needed
- 5 to 7 days for Gangtok, Pelling and one more area
- Permits
- Needed for some areas; confirm with an operator before booking
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low3°Cold, clearJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- FebruaryRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low5°Dry, clearFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Spring bloomsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blooms
- AprilRain22 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Clear viewsAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 317 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear views
- MayRain29 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Pre-monsoonMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 610 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pre-monsoon
- JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°MonsoonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 964 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Landslide riskJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 1,069 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Landslide risk
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Heavy rainAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 821 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°ClearingSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 737 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clearing
- OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Peak viewsOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 314 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak views
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Crisp, clearNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Crisp, clear
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cold, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dry
Average daily high and low in Gangtok, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sikkim
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Sikkim
02:06 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today24°13°20%Tuesday: Fog. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Wed23°12°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu23°12°22%Thursday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri23°11°9%Friday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sat22°9°18%Saturday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sun23°9°0%Sunday: Fog. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 01:43 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Rumtek Monasteryabout 1 hour by taxi from GangtokA large monastery complex on a hillside; ask about opening times and dress.
- Pelling and Pemayangtseabout 5 to 6 hours by road from GangtokKanchenjunga views from the west of the state; a night is better than a rush.
- Darjeelingabout 3 to 4 hours by road from SiliguriA separate base across the state line in West Bengal.Read the guide
Before you go to Sikkim
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Rules for Sikkim, checked
- Special permits are required to visit parts of India designated as restricted or protected areas; ask a local operator for your route.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Sikkim
Entry, trains and seasons across the country
Read the guideDarjeeling travel guideTea hills and the toy train, on the same route
Read the guideSiliguri and New JalpaiguriThe gateway: airport, rail and shared jeeps
Read the guideGuwahati travel guideThe northeast gateway, a long way east
Read the guideIndia e-Visa guideApply online before you fly in
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck cover for altitude and road closures
Read the guideSikkim FAQ
Do foreigners need a permit for Sikkim?
For some areas, yes. Restricted and protected border zones need special permits, and operators usually arrange them. Check current rules with a registered Sikkim operator or the state tourism office before you book.
What is the best time to visit Sikkim?
March to May for rhododendrons and clear views, and October to November for the sharpest Kanchenjunga mornings. The monsoon brings landslides and cloud, and mid-winter is cold at altitude.
How many days do you need in Sikkim?
Five to seven days covers Gangtok and Pelling without rushing. Add three or four more only if you want North Sikkim, which needs permits and acclimatization.
How do you get to Gangtok?
Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri, then a shared or private jeep, about four to five hours. Allow extra time in the monsoon when roads slow down.
Is Sikkim better than Darjeeling?
Sikkim has bigger mountain scenery and monasteries but needs more travel time and paperwork. Darjeeling is easier and works for a short stay, and the two combine well on one trip.