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As we made our way to the lush, green meadows, away from the city, the silence engulfed us, the serenity took over, and thus we began our road trip to the secluded parts of the state, which is home to Mount Kanchenjunga, Sikkim  Sikkim is adorned with peace, serenity, history, culture and amazing food. Here, you can witness India’s highest mountain – Mount Kanchenjunga, breathtaking lakes and experience mouth-watering delicacies.  Sikkim is a state with a lot to explore, but in this article, I will cover the hidden gems that you must not miss when you travel to East Sikkim.  Want to know a few tips on how you can travel to Sikkim alone? Click here – Sikkim Solo tips The map below covers the route we took from Siliguri to Gangtok and from there, towards the offbeat places in Sikkim. This will help you in understanding the route a little better.  The best time to visit Sikkim depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for. I would definitely recommend Spring and Summer if you are travelling to Sikkim for the first time and would like to explore the state as much as possible.  Spring & Summer (March to June): Best for Sightseeing & Pleasant Weather This is ideal for exploring Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Yumthang Valley, and Pelling. The rhododendrons and orchids bloom this season, adding vibrant colours to the landscape. The temperatures range between 10°C to 25°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Winter (October to February): Best for Snow Lovers   The higher regions like Lachung, Lachen, and Nathula Pass are covered in snow in this season. The temperature can drop to -5°C to 7°C, making it stunning, albeit really cold. However, the crowd is smaller, and this is the ideal season to explore Sikkim if you are looking for a tranquil trip.  Monsoon (July to September): Not Recommended  Heavy rainfall can lead to landslides, making travel extremely risky.  However, if you love misty landscapes and fewer tourists, you can visit Gangtok and Pelling during this time. Below, you will also find a detailed itinerary along with the accommodations I stayed in, for your reference.  To reach Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, you would either need to take a flight to Bagdogra in West Bengal or Pakyong in Sikkim. Domestic flights to Pakyong are limited in number as compared to the Bagdogra airport.  Pakyong airport is not only one of the most beautiful airports in India, but also one of the five highest airports in India. The frequency of domestic flights to Pakyong is still very limited. But in my opinion, taking a flight to Pakyong will cut down your travel time a lot. However, flights to Pakyong are often subject to weather-related disruptions due to the region’s challenging terrain and climatic conditions, leading to frequent cancellations The distance between Gangtok and Pakyong is just 35 km, and from thereon, you can board a bus or a taxi to Gangtok. In fact, private taxis are also available from Pakyong.  By Air You can board a flight to the Bagdogra airport in Siliguri, West Bengal, which is easy and economical, as the airport is connected to most major airports in India. From here, you can board a shared taxi/bus/or private vehicle to Sikkim. By Train The nearest and most feasible railway station to get to Sikkim is the New Jalpaiguri Junction Railway Station in Siliguri. Bookings for train tickets can be done through the IRCTC website. You can get a vehicle to Sikkim quite easily from the railway station.  The distance between Bagdogra and Gangtok is 120 km. One travels along with the meandering Teesta River while driving from Bagdogra to Gangtok. The drive is quite scenic and something which will enchant your mind.  Further, you will also cross the first Sikkim check post, Rangpo, where permits to enter Sikkim and all its restricted areas are obtained. If you are travelling in an unregistered Sikkim vehicle, the vehicle would need to stop at the check post and obtain a permit to enter Sikkim.  By Bus There are regular state-run bus services from Siliguri’s Tenzing Norway bus station. From NJP railway station, you can take an Auto Rickshaw and reach the bus terminus. Buses from Siliguri to Gangtok are quite frequent, and you need not worry about making a reservation in advance. However, if you are travelling during the peak season, I would recommend that you make your reservations in advance.  State-owned buses, such as those operated by Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT), commence services as early as 5:00 AM, with the last bus departing around 4:15 PM. The ticket prices range from ₹270 to ₹500, depending on the type of bus and amenities offered. Private bus operators offer services throughout the day, with departure times starting from 5:00 AM and the last bus leaving at 4:15 PM. Both state-owned and private buses typically terminate at the Deorali Bus Stand, which is approximately 2 kilometers before Gangtok’s main market area.  From Deorali, travelers can either take a taxi to the main market or use the connecting stairs leading up to the Gangtok Mall area. By Taxi You can also take the private jeeps and taxis, which are available at a reasonable rate.  As mentioned above, all the unregistered vehicles have to take a permit at the Rangpo check post. Further, these vehicles cannot enter Gangtok and stop at the Deorali stand, from where you would have to take another taxi, just like the bus services. So, it is ideal to choose a Sikkim-registered vehicle. However, the number of Sikkim-registered vehicles is limited, and the prepaid counters both at Bagdogra airport and NJP railway station provide only West Bengal state-registered taxis. Dzongu, bordered by the Teesta and Tholung Chu rivers, is a pristine, green haven reserved for the Lepcha community by Chogyal. A permit is required to visit, even for Sikkimese locals. The Lepchas worship Mount Kanchenjunga, sometimes symbolizing it with rocks when obscured by clouds. The region remains largely untouched,

Located in East Sikkim at an altitude of 10,000 ft, Zuluk is a small hamlet famous for its Sikkim Silk Route and beautiful valleys. Although an offbeat destination, Zuluk is quickly emerging as the perfect and loved retreat for those who want to spend time among the grandeur of the mountains.  Once a transit point of the historic Silk Route connecting Tibet and India, Zuluk in the lower Himalayas is surrounded by virgin forests, a diverse flora and fauna and many offbeat places to enjoy. You get absolutely gorgeous views of Mount Kanchenjunga from here.  Below, you will find all the details with regards to Zuluk’s temperature, accommodation and places to cover this beautiful place in a most cost-effective way. Zuluk was the transit point used by traders between Tibet and India on the Sikkim Silk Route. The Sikkim Silk Route was closed a few decades ago due to the invasion by China, and it used to connect Lhasa to Kalimpong. The distance between Zuluk and Gangtok is roughly 100 kms. One of the most fascinating things about Zuluk is the 32 hairpin bends you would have to cross,s known as the ZigZag Road.  However, since Zuluk is very close to the China border, there are a lot of restrictions on travel here that one needs to comply with.  I travelled to Zuluk alone. It was my first solo trip, and I was cautious at every step. If you want to know how to have a fruitful solo experience on travels, read a few tips here – Solo travel tips in Sikkim Zuluk’s weather is pleasant most of the year. Of course, since it is located at a great height, the winters are quite cold. Also, the benefit of visiting Zuluk during the winter season is that you can see the loops covered with snow. However, I strongly recommend that you avoid the monsoons.  Spring and Summer (March to June): The temperature ranges between 10 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius. The Rhododendrons bloom during this time, making the famous Silk Route beyond beautiful.  Autumn (September to November): With the temperature ranging from 5 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius, autumn is the best time for witnessing the majestic views of Kanchenjunga and photographing the zig-zag roads of Zuluk.  Winter (December to February): If you are a snow person, this would be the best time for you. Zuluk is mostly covered with snow during this time, and the temperature is colder, ranging between -5°C and 10°C.   Monsoon (July to August): I strongly advise you to avoid Zuluk during these months as the loops are covered with fog due to which you won’t have a good time at all. Travel is risky in this area during this time.  Also Read: Souvenirs to Buy in Sikkim Sikkim does not have a public bus service. To travel between places, you must either hire a private cab or find a shared taxi. However, since Zuluk is an offbeat destination, shared taxis are very limited and often need to be pre-arranged from Gangtok or nearby towns.   If you’re traveling solo, you may have to book an entire cab unless you find companions to share the ride.   Distance: 90 km   Travel Time: 4-5 hours  Route: Gangtok → Tsomgo Lake → Baba Mandir → Zuluk   Scenic Stops:  You’ll pass the Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir, making this a picturesque journey.   Distance: 150 km   Travel Time: 5-6 hours  Route: NJP/Bagdogra → Rangpo (entry point to Sikkim) → National Highway 10 → Rongli → Zuluk   Important Note: The journey to Zuluk from NJP/Bagdogra is longer than from Gangtok. Since NJP/Bagdogra to Gangtok takes 4-5 hours, and Gangtok to Zuluk adds another 4-5 hours, it’s best to break the journey in Gangtok if needed.   A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is mandatory for Indian citizens. It can be obtained in Gangtok or Rongli.   Foreign nationals are not allowed to visit Zuluk due to its proximity to the Indo-China border.   You can book it online or contact the tourist information centre. To visit Zuluk, you will need a Protected Area Permit. You can obtain a PAP either by visiting the Sikkim Tourism Office in Gangtok or contacting a travel agent. You have to pay the permit fee, submit the required documents and wait to receive your permit.  Usually, it takes an entire day to get the permit, and therefore, I would suggest that you apply for the same a day in advance. Carry 2-3 copies of your passport-sized photos, a valid government ID proof and a photocopy of the ID proof.  For children: For a child, the birth certificate needs to be carried as an identity proof. Children below 5 years do not need a permit. Note that private vehicles are not allowed in these Protected areas. You need to organize your trip with a recognized tour operator which is registered with the Sikkim government. Here are a few places you must visit on your way to Zuluk from Gangtok. You can hop on and off at these places, or split your journey into two by staying in Nathang or Lungthung and then heading to Zuluk. Tsomgo Lake is a beautiful, sacred lake formed naturally by the melting of snow. Over here, you can enjoy a yak ride and witness the scenic lake while savouring a cup of tea or maggi. You can either walk around the lake or sit on the yak to go from one point to another. The lake is exceptionally picturesque and tranquil.  Nathula Pass is the India-China border. You can check out the oldest gate here, which divides India and China. Permit: Note that you need a separate permit to visit the Nathula Pass. You may skip this and head straight to Zuluk, but if you are up close to the Indo-China border, why miss the chance? There is a great history associated with Baba Mandir, which is a temple built in honour of Baba Harbhajan Singh, a martyred Indian army soldier believed to be the