Sikkim Trip

Bagdogra to Martam

Airport to Martam , which is about 20 kms before Gangtok. Driving time approx. 4 hrs. depending on traffic. Overnight at Martam

Martam to Dzongu

Post breakfast take an easy walk around the property. July is a month for Paddy sowing and one can bear witness to the famous terrace cultivation pioneered by the Nepali Community in Sikkim.

Drive to Dzongu late morning to arrive by lunchtime. Post lunch interactions with the hosts and some walks around the property.

Dzongu Local explorations

Day of exploring the quaint and virgin forests of the Dzongu special reserve. This is a lesser known destination in Sikkim and it’s what makes the area very unique. Fast flowing streams, untouched forests and local hospitality at its best. Depart for walks and a drive to explore the upper regions of the area.

Today we will have our host arrange for a riverside excursion full with meals cooked at the site itself. We recommend walking as much as possible as it’s the best way to explore Dzongu.

Activities for the day will include village walks leading to the river for some nice picnic meal cooked at the site and fishing if anyone is keen!

Upper Dzongu explorations

Post breakfast depart for an excursion to Upper reaches of Dzongu cut off for the past 2 years by a Massive landslide. First a stopover to a natural sulphur hot spring known for their medical benefits. The area is lush and verdant so best to get off the vehicle and walk.

For further explorations to upper Dzongu we can take a footbridge/raft at the river depending on the water level. Retrun to homestay by evening to some local millet beer!

Dzongu to Aritar

Post breakfast depart for a drive out to eastern provinces to the low lying region of Aritar. Popular as a base for excursions to the high altitude regions of the Indo-China border, Aritar is easy going and slow paced so good timr to catch some rest here after the past few days of active travel.

Driving time from Dzongu to Aritar approx.4.5hrs.

Aritar-Gnathang

Post breakfast one can take an easy departure out from Aritar to Gnathang. The drive will take up up from 2500 ft. to approx. 14,000 ft. in just 2.5 hrs! The route is scenic especially on a clear day and one will bear witness to the famous ‘Dzuluk loops’, the winding roads built and utilised as an old trading route between Sikkim and erstwhile Tibet.

Post lunch at Gnathang, set out on foot exploring the high altitude meadows and enjoy the serene atmosphere.

This is the highest habitable region in Sikkim for tourists and lies at approx. 14,000 ft.

Gnathang to Gangtok

For those keen, an early morning walk to the War Memorial has stunning sunrise views and on a clear day one can see as far as the Bhutan valley.

Morning post breakfast and permit formalities, depart for Tsangu Lake. At approximately 12500 ft. Tsangu is a sacred lake and also one of the popular tourist destinations around Gangtok city. Driving time to Tsangu is approx. 2.5 hrs. One can try a yak ride around the lake or a cable car ride when at Tsangu and also enjoy some refreshments in one of the various small stalls.

Tsangu to Gangtok return journey approx. 2 hrs.

Overnight at Gangtok.

Gangtok to Airport/ Train station

Depart for Airport/Train station at the prescribed time to catch the onward journey. Driving time approx. 4.5 hrs depending on traffic and the driver would be best to judge the ETD