The best time to visit Sikkim are the summer months as the temperatures are more pleasant. Monsoon is a good time to visit for those who prefer low tourist crowds and/ or seasonal discounts. The winter months see temperatures drop to sub-zero, but you will be greeted with stunning sights – frozen lakes, snow-clad mountains, et al. Skyscanner suggests places and activities to plan your holiday in Sikkim!
October to March: For winter treks, festivals and frozen lakes
There are numerous trekking routes in Sikkim. In October, plan a winter trek along the Dzongri – Goecha La route. Also known as the ‘Trek to Kanchenjunga’, the trek is about 90 kilometres long and offers panoramic vistas of Himalayan peaks and glaciers.
Read more: Top 5 things to do in Sikkim
Winters are also an ideal period to experience the festivals of Sikkim. Diwali is celebrated with great fervour over five days. On each day, a bird or animal is celebrated and offerings made. The houses are decorated with lamps and candles; traditional carols are sung. In December, Kagyed and Namsoong festivals are celebrated. Kagyed is a Tibetan dance festival; monks perform masked dances on the occasion. Namsoong marks the ends of the harvest season, you can witness local sporting competitions for archery and pole climbing.
Around the end of winter season, you can plan a trip to the Indo China border at Nathula Pass. At the Pass, walk up to the border and admire the vast barren landscape of Tibet across the barbed wire fence. If interested in a joy ride atop a yak, make a pit stop at the frozen Changu Lake. Special permits are required to visit Nathula.
March to May: For valley of flowers and white water rafting
The Yumthang valley of flowers lies in the north of Sikkim. Over the summer months, the valley is decked with floral carpets of poppies, irises, primulas and rhododendrons. Sign up for a trek through the Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Or you can try out white water rafting on the Teesta. A series of whitewater rapids make the river ideal for rafting. Rapids range from classification level 2 to 4.
Read more: Postcards from the North East
With about two hundred Buddhist monasteries in the state, a trip to Sikkim is incomplete without a visit to the Rumtek and Pemayangtse monasteries. Rumtek is about an hour’s drive away from Gangtok. The Pemayangtse monastery, located in Pelling, is among the oldest monasteries in India (the views of the Kanchenjunga from this monastery are breathtaking!)
June to September: For monsoon bliss
Pack your rain gear and head to Sikkim to enjoy the monsoon in the midst of floating clouds and gossamery mist. Include Temi estate in your list of places to visit – it is the state’s only tea estate. Have a hot cuppa of tea, as you admire the view of the undulating tea gardens with the Kanchenjunga mountain in the backdrop.The Pang Lhabsol festival is celebrated around August or September, with prayers being offered to the majestic Kanchenjunga, considered a deity by the locals. Dances are performed with colourful masks, costumes and weapons. Head to the Pemayangtse monastery in Pelling to take part in the festivities.
Read more: Escape the monsoon
How to reach Gangtok?Book a flight to Bagdogra, the distance from Bagdogra to Gangtok is airport is about 125 kilometres.You can also take a train to New Jalpaiguri, the distance from New Jalpaiguri to Gangtok is about 120 kilometres.
Best Time To Book Your Flight To Sikkim
The flight tickets to Bagdogra are cheaper if you book six to nine weeks in advance. Sign up for Skyscanner’s price alerts to track the fare changes and plan your next holiday.Note: The best time to book data refers to the price paid against the average price for return flights for 1 person to Bagdogra from across India during the time period 1st January 2015 – 31st December 2016
