Until the 1960s, Sikkim was an isolated, independent Buddhist kingdom, now a fully-fledged state of India. Now it is attractive for off-the-beaten-track trekking and its vibrant Buddhist monasteries, more than two hundred in all, each surrounded by prayer flags and chortens, looking across to breathtaking snowcapped peaks. Gigantic mountain walls and steep wooded hillsides, drained by torrential rivers and stunning waterfalls, with orchids and garlands of cardamom carpeting the forest floor, the land is rich with apple orchards, orange groves and terraced paddy fields, where countless varieties of rhododendron carpet the hillsides and giant magnolia trees punctuate the deep lush cover. Wilderness areas host a wealth of fauna, including the elusive snow leopards, wild goats, blue sheep, black bear, flying squirrels and the endangered red panda.
Gangtok and Ruktek are part of East Sikkim, which extends right up to Nathu La pass on the Chinese and Bhutan border. The road descending from China across the Nathu La pass was once part of the Silk Route.
The vibrant Sikkim capital, Gangtok, is both cosmopolitan and spiritual. The city is located on the rich ridges with the panoramic views of the Himalayas, colourful in its bursts, both in the bustling MG Marg, and in quiet monasteries and the local markets. Gangtok is an alluring city with its blend of ancient arts, contemporary cafes, and unending views.
Places to Visit in Gangtok
West Sikkm is the gateway of some of the best trekking routes of the state. The main attractions of West Sikkim are Pelling and Pemayangtse, which are adjacent to each other.
Pelling, a quiet ridge town with an unbroken prospect of the third-highest peak in the world, is to the west. In a world of waterfalls, fertile valleys and holy lakes, Pelling offers peace, adventure and peep into the legendary history of Sikkim.
Places to Visit in Pelling
Northern Sikkim is a place where one can find the pristine beauty and the valleys are full of alpine flowers, and the mountain rivers make their music through the silence. Yumthang Valley is glittering as the Valley of Flowers, and Lachen and Lachung are gorgeous portals to the wonders of high elevation.
Darjeeling, in West Bengal, has an underlying charm of its own that promises wonderful experiences, whether the pristine tea gardens, the majestic hills, the sheer romance involved in watching the sunrise on Tiger Hill or the breathtaking view of Mount Kanchenjunga. Embed yourself in the local markets where you can shop for local handicrafts, go on a romantic excursion to the Ghoom Monastery and take the memorable toy-train ride through the Batasia Loop. Explore the Happy Valley Tea Garden, which covers 437 acres and visit the Observatory Hills which offer spectacular views of the jungles, rivers and valleys along with the imposing mountains.
An iconic Himalayan sunrise point, worth waking up before dawn for. It is a rite of passage to the travellers here to witness the mountains light up.
The ride is a UNESCO world heritage that makes one feel like he or she has entered an old travel diary, and the ride has wooden seats, old locomotives, and breathtaking scenery of villages along the mountainside.
There is a spiral railway loop that provides 360 degree views of Darjeeling and the snow peaks in the distance beyond, and a memorial to the valiant Gorkha troops that serve India.
The Tibetan Buddhist monastery is one of the oldest in the region, and the presence of the flickering butter lamps, the old murals, and the stillness that is almost sacred.
The nearby hill town is perfect for long walks, tea-tasting sessions, and evenings spent under star-filled skies, far from the bustle.
also known as Dev Bhoomi, ‘Abode of the Gods’, is named among the world’s top ten most welcoming regions in 2026, rated by ‘Travel And Tour World’. It traverses the five mountain ranges of the Himalayas- the Pir Panjal, Shivalik, Dhauladhar, the Great Himalayas and the Zanskar. Similar in size to Belgium, Himachal Pradesh is beautiful,
Once the summer capital of the British Raj in India is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The Gaiety Theatre, the Town Hall and Christchurch are the key architectural cues of the British Raj in the Gothic, Arts and Crafts. The activities will include some very interesting sites like the Viceregal Lodge, the Jakhu Temple and a fancy walk on the Mall Road.
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The Valley climbs gently into Himachal from the plains of Punjab, the pine-covered Dhauladhar Range jutting out to the west like a Himalayan spur on the northern horizon. Explore the beautiful tea gardens of Palampur, the Vaidyanath temple in Baijnath, and Dharamshala.
The Sutlej river runs through the eminently green district of Kinnaur, made up the Baspa and Sangla Valleys in the towering Kinnaur Kailash range. Sangla Valley is magnificently dramatic with orchards, burbling streams, and stupendous alpine landscapes.
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Tucked between the two highest mountain ranges in the world, the great Karakoram and the Greater Himalayas. It is a high-elevation desert crossed by razor-sharp peaks. Treat yourself with adventure, reward and challenges in some of the most remote, scarcely-populated regions of the inner Himalayas, with the highest motorable passes in the world and snow- capped mountains, meandering rivers and rugged valleys.
capital of Ladakh, and Padum, capital of Zanskar – experience life in the local villages, absorb yourself in the rituals and mysteries of the many isolated Buddhist monasteries, and fulfil your adventure spirit along famous trekking routes. Ladakh and Zanskar offer boundless opportunities to all travellers. Visit the splendid Gompas of Ladakh with their gorgeous interior frescoes. Gompas are the centre of Ladakhi religion and culture. Slow Travel Himalayas itineraries are gaining momentum in an effort to be more intimate with the mountains, with some of the intriguing treks in this trans-Himalayan region.
Slow Travel Himalayas itineraries are gaining momentum in an effort to be more intimate with the mountains, with some of the intriguing treks in this trans-Himalayan region. The Zanskar Valley Padum-Darcha Trek is a classical trail, having some of the ruggedest terrain on the earth, and the Markha Valley Lodge Trek is also quite interesting. It is a simpler, yet as beautiful. Besides the trails, the rich history of the area is also realised, in a colourful event, the Hemis Festival 2026, when the old masked dances are performed in remembrance of the victory of good over evil. Nowhere is it more comfortable than in simplicity: the cosiness of a home in the town, the ascent of the sun above the snowy mountains, the strike of a prayer bell in the thin air. Be it the consolation of untouched nature, exploration of distinct communities, or a bespoke grace of the personalised tour, Ladakh responds to all the desires of purpose, protection, and motivation.
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