India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Best time to go to Sikkim
Pack some layers and come in November – there’s quite a nip in the air, but the skies are dazzlingly clear and the views unforgettable.
The best time to visit Sikkim is when it’s dry and clear, which usually means from Oct-Jan or Apr-Jun, though the mountain views will be at their finest in Nov-early Dec. Don’t like it chilly? Then you might want to avoid the freezing temperatures of mid Dec-early Feb, and everyone should steer clear during the Jun-Sep monsoon season, when the heavens batter down on the landscape and some routes become impassable. Bear in mind, too, that Sikkim receives some of the heaviest rainfall in the Indian Himalayas, regardless of the season, so wet and misty conditions could descend at any time.
Our Sikkim Holidays
Sikkim & Kolkata cultural tour in India
Cultural and rural tours in beautiful East India
From
£750 to £950
9 days
ex flights
Darjeeling & Sikkim trekking holiday
Trek in Sikkim & Darjeeling
From
£1250 to £1550
12 days
ex flights
Singalila Ridge trekking holiday in India
Classic trek along the Singalila Ridge
From
£2299 to £2449
16 days
inc UK flights
Bangladesh and India Durga Puja Festival holiday
18 day group tour of Bangladesh, Sikkim & West Bengal
From
£3595
18 days
ex flights
Sikkim cycling tour, India
Riding through a treasure cove of wisdom and beauty!
From
US $1700
11 days
ex flights
Sikkim circular trekking & culture holiday, India
A rewarding circular trek, not the standard up & back route
From
£1548
17 days
ex flights
Cultural and rural tour of East India
Cultural and rural holiday in beautiful East India
From
£950 to £1250
14 days
ex flights
Sikkim Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
2
17
16
FEB
2
19
20
MAR
7
22
37
APR
11
25
81
MAY
16
27
161
JUN
21
29
28
JUL
23
30
319
AUG
23
30
267
SEP
21
28
198
OCT
14
25
527
NOV
8
21
9
DEC
4
18
9
Sikkim month by month
Our top Sikkim activities
Things to do in Sikkim…
Things not to do in Sikkim…
Our top Sikkim Holiday
Sikkim & Kolkata cultural tour in India
Cultural and rural tours in beautiful East India
From
£750 to £950
9 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Sikkim or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Sikkim travel advice
When to go to sikkim
When to go to Sikkim
Amit Khadka, the Indian Subcontinent specialist at our supplier Wild Frontiers, shares with us his top Sikkim travel advice:
“There are two major seasons for visiting Sikkim. October to November is ideal as it starts to get cooler as winter approaches and, most importantly, the views of the mountains get clearer. The other option is the beginning of spring, from mid February to April, as it gets warmer every day. The best part is that the hills are colourful and full of wildflowers, especially the rhododendron which makes it a lovely time to travel.”
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus:
“I went in late March and early April of 2018 and the flowers were just coming out in hills after a hard spell of cold weather. This is also a really good time to view the area’s varied birdlife around Martam.”
Lesley Clark, from our supplier Imaginative Traveller:
“Winter in Sikkim is a snowy wonderland that lasts from October till March. During this time temperatures will struggle to make it above freezing. The roads and mountains are draped in snow and are a sight to behold. Enjoy the mystical view of the beautiful surroundings during this time, but make sure you pack plenty of warm clothes. It is possible to go skiing and snowboarding in the winter season here. Flight connections into the region are prone to delays and cancellation during the winter.”
WHERE TO GO IN SIKKIM
Where to go in Sikkim
Amit Kahdka, from our supplier Wild Frontiers:
“I think that Sikkim as a whole makes an excellent travel destination, as it’s a combination of Buddhist and Hindu sights, spectacular scenery made up of mountain views and monasteries and a slow and laid back pace of life. But if you do have a few extra days I would recommend spending time in the Yumthang Valley, otherwise known as the Valley of Flowers, way up in North Sikkim.”
Lesley Clark, from our supplier Imaginative Traveller:
“Yuksom is my favourite place in Sikkim .. This charming and still relatively unspoilt village is a great place to relax for a few days but more importantly it is the starting point of the Khangchendzonga Trail, Sikkim's epic trek to Goecha La. Over the course of this multi-day hike, the route showcases the very best Sikkim scenery; massive peaks, waterfalls, hanging bridges and breathtaking valley views. The trek is only possible between late March and early June and it must be organised through a registered agency who provide the permit and guide.”
Cultural highlights
Cultural highlights
Amit Kahdka, from our supplier Wild Frontiers:
“It is the combination of experience throughout the region which is different from mainland India. This part of India has a unique history and the people that live here are a mix of Nepalese, Lepcha and Bhutia and it shows in the languages spoken and in the local cuisine – after all, Sikkim only became part of India in 1975. So, if tea estates, Himalayan vistas, spectacular scenery, remote monasteries and Buddhism are your thing then you will certainly enjoy this part of the world. What’s more, there are no major hotel chains in Sikkim and most of the hotels are traditional, simple affairs, which allow you greater insight into the culture.”
Lesley Clark, from our supplier Imaginative Traveller:
“It is the combination of experience throughout the region which is different from mainland India. This part of India has a unique history and the people that live here are a mix of Nepalese, Lepcha and Bhutia and it shows in the languages spoken and in the local cuisine – after all, Sikkim only became part of India in 1975. So, if tea estates, Himalayan vistas, spectacular scenery, remote monasteries and Buddhism are your thing then you will certainly enjoy this part of the world. What’s more, there are no major hotel chains in Sikkim and most of the hotels are traditional, simple affairs, which allow you greater insight into the culture.”
What to
pack
pack
What to pack
Amit Kahdka, from our supplier Wild Frontiers:
“Pack for the season. Carry layers and a warm jacket in winter and nice, easy lightweight clothes in summer. But sturdy shoes with ankle support are certainly a must as there are always walking and hiking options when visiting isolated rural areas and monasteries.”
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus:
“Make sure you bring a water filter or other convenient way to use tap and other local water supplies. You should also bring a camera, walking boots, waterproofs and kit for walking in Himalayas where weather conditions can change suddenly.”
SIKKIM TIPS FROM OUR HOLIDAY REVIEWS
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Sikkim travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
“Don't worry about getting ill from the water. They are trying to reduce reliance on plastic bottles and have filtered water which is fine. It's warm in the day but cold at night, so you need a good fleece or padded jacket. You don't need much spending money – eating lunch out is about £3 per head and supper about £8 - 11 per head.” - Philippa Barton
Driving on the roads was also either thrilling (the views) or terrifying (the conditions). Luckily our driver was highly skilled. Don’t always expect seat belts by the way…
– Katherine Van Haeften
More about Sikkim
Set in the mighty Himalayas, sparsely populated Sikkim is one of the most peaceful places in India and it has a strong environmental ethos, too.
Most visitors to Sikkim will pass through Temi Tea Garden, the state’s sole tea plantation; and neighbouring Darjeeling is home to its fair share of tea hotspots too.
More relevant guides
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Ko Backpacko] [Mountain: Sangay Lama]
[Monastery - young monks: Giridhar Appaji Nag Y]
[Spring - rhododendron: Ankur P]
[Whiskered Yuhina: Yathin]
[Snow - couple: Ankur P]
[Yumthang Valley: Sayan Bhattacharjee]
[Yuksom: Sourav Das]
[Landscape - yaks: Sharada Prasad CS]
[Namchi: Stefan Krasowski]
[Hike - Himalayas: airFreshing]
[Backpack - hike: Danka & Peter]
[Travellers - Rumtek: Akuppa John Wigham]
[Car - mountains: Ankur P]
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