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A good Sikkim 7 days itinerary usually runs Gangtok, North Sikkim (Lachen and Lachung), and Pelling. You will need permits for Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim, both booked through a local agent. Budget roughly Rs 22,000 to Rs 35,000 per person for a mid-range trip, excluding your flights or trains.
What can you realistically cover in 7 days in Sikkim?
Seven days is the sweet spot. It gives you Gangtok, the high lakes of North Sikkim, and a calm finish in West Sikkim without rushing every morning. Try to do more and you spend the trip inside a car.
Here is what fits comfortably in a week:
- Gangtok and East Sikkim: MG Marg, monasteries, plus a day trip to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula.
- North Sikkim: Lachen and Lachung as your bases, with Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point.
- West Sikkim: Pelling for the Kanchenjunga view, Pemayangtse Monastery and the glass Skywalk.
One honest note: Lachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar reopened to tourists in March 2026 after a long closure caused by flood damage. Roads are open but can still shut for hours after heavy rain, so keep a buffer day if you can.
A day-by-day 7 day Sikkim itinerary
This route starts and ends at NJP railway station or Bagdogra airport, the usual entry points near Siliguri.
| Day | Route | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | NJP / Bagdogra to Gangtok | Drive up (about 4 to 5 hours). Settle in, walk MG Marg in the evening. |
| Day 2 | Gangtok + Tsomgo, Baba Mandir, Nathula | Full-day trip on a permit. Carry warm layers even in summer. |
| Day 3 | Gangtok to Lachen | Long scenic drive (6 to 7 hours) into North Sikkim. Rest early for the pre-dawn start. |
| Day 4 | Gurudongmar Lake, then Lachung | Leave around 4 to 5 am for the lake at 17,800 ft. Drive to Lachung by evening. |
| Day 5 | Yumthang + Zero Point, back to Gangtok | Morning in the valley, then the long haul back to Gangtok for the night. |
| Day 6 | Gangtok to Pelling | Head west via Ravangla and Namchi. Sunset over Kanchenjunga if the sky is clear. |
| Day 7 | Pelling to NJP / Bagdogra | Skywalk and Pemayangtse in the morning, then drive down for your onward journey. |
Tip: if you want a slower trip, drop Nathula on Day 2 and add a night in Lachung instead. The border road is stunning but it is a long, cold day.
How much does a 7-day Sikkim trip cost?
Costs swing a lot with your group size and stay level. The table below shows realistic land-only totals for the 6-night, 7-day route above, as of August 2026. It covers stays, a private or shared vehicle, permits, driver and most sightseeing. It does not include your flight or train to Siliguri, or personal shopping.
| Who | Style | Trip total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller | Shared cabs + budget stays | Rs 22,000 – 28,000 | Rs 22,000 – 28,000 |
| Honeymoon couple | Private cab + good hotels | Rs 58,000 – 72,000 | Rs 29,000 – 36,000 |
| Family of 4 | Private SUV + comfortable stays | Rs 88,000 – 1,05,000 | Rs 22,000 – 26,000 |
| Group of 8 | Tempo Traveller + mid-range stays | Rs 1,50,000 – 1,80,000 | Rs 19,000 – 22,500 |
Why the group of 8 pays least per head: the vehicle, driver and permits are shared across more people. Solo travel costs the most per person unless you join a shared North Sikkim group.
What do transfers and permits cost?
These are the moving parts most first-timers miss. Book permits through a registered Sikkim agent, since solo permits for North Sikkim and Nathula are not issued directly to travellers.
| Item | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| NJP/Bagdogra to Gangtok (shared cab) | Rs 300 – 500 per person | Cheapest way up; private cab is Rs 3,000 – 4,000. |
| Tsomgo, Baba Mandir, Nathula permit | Around Rs 200 per person | Nathula is Indians only, open Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun. |
| North Sikkim permit (RAP) | Rs 400 – 500 per person | Needs passport photo and ID; issued via agent. |
| Foreign nationals permit (RAP) | Free at entry points | Valid 30 days; foreigners cannot visit Nathula. |
Permit fees and open days shift with season and government rules. Confirm the latest before you travel. (Costs as of August 2026.)
Where should you stay in Sikkim for a week?
Base yourself in three or four places so you are not packing and unpacking daily. Rooms in North Sikkim are simple by design, since these are remote high villages, not resort towns.
- Gangtok (3 nights across the trip): Stay near MG Marg for cafes and easy cab pickups. Mid-range rooms run Rs 2,000 to 4,000 a night.
- Lachen (1 night): Basic homestays and lodges with hot water and heavy quilts. Expect Rs 1,500 to 2,500, often bundled into your package.
- Lachung (1 night): Slightly better lodges with valley views. Similar pricing to Lachen.
- Pelling (1 night): Good value hotels with Kanchenjunga-facing rooms for a little extra. Worth the splurge on a clear night.
What is the food like, and what will you spend?
You eat well and cheap in Sikkim. Momos, thukpa and a hot plate of rice with dal and greens turn up everywhere, and they hit differently after a cold morning at altitude.
- Local must-try: Pork or veg momos, thukpa, gundruk soup, and sel roti. Try a plate of phagshapa if you eat pork.
- Daily food budget: Rs 400 to 700 per person for simple meals; Rs 800 to 1,200 if you like cafes and a beer.
- On the road: Carry snacks and water for North Sikkim. Options thin out badly past Lachen, and Zero Point has almost nothing.
Skip the overpriced tourist buffets on MG Marg. The small family kitchens down the side lanes serve better food for half the price.
When is the best time to plan this trip?
Short answer: March to June and October to December. Spring brings rhododendrons and the Yumthang bloom, while October gives you the clearest Kanchenjunga views of the year.
Avoid July and August if you can. The monsoon is when landslides shut North Sikkim roads, and it was that kind of flooding that closed the region for so long. December and January are stunning with snow, but Gurudongmar can be off-limits when the passes freeze over.
FAQ: Sikkim 7 days itinerary
Is 7 days enough for Sikkim?
Yes. Seven days covers Gangtok, North Sikkim and Pelling at a fair pace. For South and West Sikkim in depth, add two or three more days.
Do I need a permit for a Sikkim trip?
Indians need permits for Tsomgo, Nathula and North Sikkim. Foreigners need a free Restricted Area Permit for Sikkim and cannot visit Nathula. Book through a registered agent.
What is the cheapest way to do 7 days in Sikkim?
Travel in a group, use shared cabs, join a shared North Sikkim tour, and stay in homestays. Per head cost drops to about Rs 19,000 to 22,000 in a group of eight.
Can I visit Gurudongmar Lake in 2026?
Yes. Lachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar reopened in March 2026. Roads can still close after heavy rain, so keep a buffer day and confirm status before you go.
How much cash should I carry?
Carry enough for food, tips and shopping, roughly Rs 1,000 to 1,500 a day per person. ATMs are reliable in Gangtok but scarce in North Sikkim.
Is Sikkim safe for solo travellers?
Very. It is one of the calmer, cleaner Himalayan states. The main limit for solo travellers is North Sikkim permits, which must be arranged through an agent, not issued to individuals.
Ready to lock in your week? Explore routes, current permit help and more such information at https://sikkimtourism.org/. Plan a Sikkim trip that actually holds up on the ground.
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