Field notes
Sikkim Tour Package: 5N 6D Itinerary with Price
A Sikkim 5N6D tour package covers Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Pelling, and Rumtek Monastery over six days. The sikkim tour package 5n6d price ranges from INR 18,000 to INR 35,000 per person on twin sharing, land only, departing from NJP or Bagdogra. This package suits couples, families, and small groups. It works well as a first trip to Northeast India.
What does a standard Sikkim 5N6D tour package cover?
A standard Sikkim 5N6D package covers Gangtok for three nights and Pelling for two nights. It includes road transfers by private cab, hotel accommodation, breakfast daily, and sightseeing at Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Rumtek Monastery, and Pemayangtse Monastery. Flights and personal expenses are excluded.
The package begins and ends at either Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station. Bagdogra Airport is the nearest air entry point, located 124 km from Gangtok. NJP Station sits 117 km from Gangtok and connects to major Indian cities by train.
All road transfers use a private cab for the group. The driver handles route permits and coordinates sightseeing timings. Most operators include a local Gangtok guide for Day 2 and Day 3 sightseeing.
Which destinations are included on each day?
The standard allocation is three nights in Gangtok and two nights in Pelling. Days 1 through 3 are based in Gangtok, covering arrival, local sightseeing, and the Tsomgo-Nathula excursion. Day 4 involves the transfer to Pelling with a monastery stop en route. Days 5 and 6 cover Pelling sightseeing and the return journey.
North Sikkim destinations like Yumthang Valley are not part of the standard 5N6D structure. Adding North Sikkim requires two extra nights and a separate Inner Line Permit.
Related: Browse all Sikkim tour packages on Tripstor
How much does a Sikkim 5N6D tour package cost per person?
A Sikkim 5N6D tour package costs between INR 18,000 and INR 35,000 per person on twin sharing, land only, ex-NJP or Bagdogra. Budget packages start near INR 18,000 with guesthouse stays. Premium packages with resort accommodation and more inclusions reach INR 35,000 per person.
| Package Category | Price Per Person (Twin Sharing, Ex-NJP/Bagdogra, Land Only) | Accommodation Type | Meals Included | Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | INR 18,000 – 22,000 | Guesthouse / 2-star hotel | Breakfast only | Private cab, driver allowance, Tsomgo excursion, basic permits |
| Mid-Range | INR 22,000 – 28,000 | 3-star hotel | Breakfast + dinner | Private cab, driver allowance, Nathula PAP, local guide (Gangtok), permits |
| Premium | INR 28,000 – 35,000 | 4-star hotel / boutique property | Breakfast + dinner | Private cab, all permits, local guide, Pelling Skywalk entry, welcome kit |
| Luxury | INR 35,000 and above | Heritage resort / 5-star equivalent | All meals | Private cab, all permits, dedicated guide, airport pickup, curated add-ons |
Sikkim recorded over 1.5 million tourist visits in 2022–23, according to the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation. Nathula Pass alone sees restricted daily visitor quotas, which means permit slots fill quickly during peak months.
What is typically included and excluded in the package price?
Standard inclusions across most packages are: private cab for all transfers and sightseeing, hotel accommodation on twin sharing, daily breakfast, driver allowance and toll charges, and the Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Nathula Pass.
Standard exclusions are: flights to and from Bagdogra, personal expenses, lunch and dinner (in budget packages), Nathula PAP fee of approximately INR 200 per person, and any activity charges like the Pelling Skywalk entry fee.
Always confirm whether the Nathula PAP fee is included or billed separately. Some operators list it as an inclusion but charge it at actuals during the trip.
Does the price change by season?
Peak season runs from March to May and October to November. Prices during peak months are typically 15–25% higher than off-season rates. Off-season rates apply from December to February and June to September.
Nathula Pass remains closed from January to March due to heavy snowfall. Packages during those months skip Nathula and may substitute with other Gangtok excursions. The Tsomgo Lake road also closes periodically after snowfall, so check current road status before booking winter dates.
Related: Read the full guide on the best time to visit Sikkim
What is the day-by-day itinerary for a Sikkim 5N6D package?
A standard Sikkim 5N6D itinerary starts with arrival at NJP or Bagdogra and a transfer to Gangtok on Day 1. Days 2 and 3 cover Gangtok sightseeing and the Tsomgo-Nathula excursion. Day 4 moves to Pelling. Days 5 and 6 cover Pelling sightseeing and the return journey.
| Day | Route / Location | Key Activities | Overnight Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | NJP / Bagdogra → Gangtok | Airport or station pickup, scenic drive to Gangtok, check-in, MG Marg evening walk | Gangtok |
| Day 2 | Gangtok local sightseeing | Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Tashi Viewpoint, MG Marg shopping | Gangtok |
| Day 3 | Gangtok → Tsomgo Lake → Nathula Pass | Tsomgo Lake at 3,753 m, Nathula Pass border point at 4,310 m (PAP required) | Gangtok |
| Day 4 | Gangtok → Pelling | Pemayangtse Monastery en route, check-in at Pelling, Kanchenjunga evening view | Pelling |
| Day 5 | Pelling local sightseeing | Pelling Skywalk viewpoint, Rabdentse Ruins, Singshore Bridge, Kanchenjunga viewpoint | Pelling |
| Day 6 | Pelling → NJP / Bagdogra | Early checkout, drive to NJP or Bagdogra for onward journey | Departure |
Day 3 is the most logistically demanding day. Nathula Pass at 4,310 m requires the PAP, and the excursion typically departs Gangtok by 7:00 AM. Altitude sickness is possible above 3,500 m, so carry basic medication.
Pelling sits at 2,150 m and offers a direct sightline to Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 m, on clear mornings. Day 5 is best started early for the clearest mountain views before clouds build up.
Related: See the detailed Gangtok sightseeing guide
Which permits are required for a Sikkim 5N6D tour?
Indian nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Nathula Pass. The PAP is issued by the Sikkim Tourism office in Gangtok and costs approximately INR 200 per person. Foreign nationals cannot visit Nathula Pass at all. No permit is needed for Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, or Pelling under the standard 5N6D itinerary.
The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a separate document required for North Sikkim destinations like Yumthang Valley and Gurudongmar Lake. The standard 5N6D package does not include North Sikkim, so the ILP is not needed unless the itinerary is extended.
How do Indian tourists get the Protected Area Permit for Nathula Pass?
The tour operator applies for the PAP on behalf of the group in Gangtok. The process requires a copy of each traveller's Aadhaar card or passport. The permit is typically issued the same day or the evening before the Nathula excursion.
The PAP fee is approximately INR 200 per person. Some operators include this in the package price; others charge it at actuals. Confirm this at the time of booking. Groups of fewer than two people may face restrictions on Nathula access on certain days.
Related: Explore North Sikkim tour packages including Yumthang and Gurudongmar
When is the best time to book a Sikkim 5N6D package?
The best months for a Sikkim 5N6D package are March to May and October to November. March and April bring rhododendron blooms across the hillsides. October and November offer clear skies and the best Kanchenjunga views from Pelling. Both windows allow full Nathula Pass access with the PAP.
June to August is monsoon season. Landslides on NH10 and the Gangtok-Pelling road are common. Some operators run discounted packages during this period, but road closures can disrupt the itinerary significantly.
December and January bring snowfall to higher elevations. Nathula Pass closes between January and March. Tsomgo Lake access also becomes unreliable. Winter packages are cheaper but require flexibility on the Nathula excursion.
Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance for peak season travel. Hotel availability in Pelling is limited, and good properties fill up quickly in October and April.
Related: Compare Darjeeling Sikkim combo tour packages for extended Northeast itineraries
What are the most common questions about Sikkim 5N6D packages?
Travellers planning a Sikkim 5N6D package most often ask about self-travel feasibility, safety for solo women, the Bagdogra transfer, flight inclusions, and North Sikkim extensions. The answers below address each query directly based on current ground conditions.
Can I do this trip without a tour operator? Yes, but it is more complicated than most hill-station trips. The PAP for Nathula requires operator assistance in practice. Shared cabs from Gangtok to Pelling run daily but are not reliable for sightseeing schedules. A package simplifies logistics considerably.
Is Sikkim safe for solo female travellers? Sikkim consistently ranks among the safer Indian states for solo travel. Gangtok and Pelling are small towns with low crime rates. Standard precautions apply for solo travel anywhere.
How do I reach Gangtok from Bagdogra? The drive from Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok takes approximately 4 to 5 hours by road. Shared taxis and private cabs are available. Most packages include this transfer. See the Bagdogra to Gangtok transfer guide for route and fare details.
Are flights to Bagdogra included in the package price? No. All 5N6D Sikkim packages are priced as land-only, ex-NJP or Bagdogra. Flights are booked and paid for separately.
Can the itinerary be extended to include North Sikkim? Yes. Adding Yumthang Valley and Gurudongmar Lake requires two additional nights and an Inner Line Permit. This converts the trip into a 7N8D or 8N9D itinerary with a significant price increase.
Related: Check Bagdogra to Gangtok transfer options and current cab fares
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
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