How to reach Sikkim from Bagdogra

An estimated 125 miles separate Bagdogra and Gangtok in total. Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is the closest airport to Gangtok, and from there, one may readily get shared and private cabs as well as buses to go to Gangtok. It takes 4.5 to 5 hours to complete the magnificent trip through Sikkim’s charming backroads.

By Bus

There are several private and shared taxis and buses waiting outside the airport if you’re driving from Bagdogra to Gangtok. Typically, the trip takes 4-5 hours. To prevent the bother of transporting any other car from Deorali to Gangtok, it is advised to choose a Sikkim State Registered Vehicle rather than a West Bengal State Registered Vehicle.

From Siliguri to Gangtok, Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) provides state-run bus services and will drop you off at Deorali, where you must hire a state-registered cab.

Drive from Bagdogra to Gangtok

Around four to five hours are needed to get from Bagdogra to Gangtok. You may go to Gangtok using either a Sikkim State Registered vehicle or a Bengal State Registered vehicle. However, the latter will drop you off at Deorali, from whence you must rent a car with a Sikkim state registration. As a result, favour a car that originates from Bagdogra itself and is registered in the state of Sikkim.

Approximately Rs 3,000 for a small and Rs 3,500 for a large private cab from Bagdogra to Gangtok are required. Up to 10 people can fit in a shared jeep, which could be ideal if you’re travelling alone. The price per person is around Rs 200.

Train from Bagdogra to Gangtok

New Jalpaiguri (NJP), which is around 120 kilometres from Gangtok, is the railroad station that is closest to Gangtok. With frequent rail service, the station is well connected to the nation’s major cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai. To go to Gangtok from New Jalpaiguri, use a state transportation bus or hail a shared or private cab.

Air travel from Bagdogra to Gangtok

Bagdogra is located around 125 kilometres from Gangtok and is the area’s closest airport. With frequent flights, the airport has strong connections to the nation’s other main cities, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata. It has excellent connections to nearby nations like Bhutan. From Bagdogra to Gangtok, a helicopter service is also offered, and it takes just 20 minutes. The Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation offers this service. It takes 4-5 hours to go to Gangtok from Bagdogra Airport; you may arrange for private or shared taxis to pick you up there.

Best time to visit Sikkim from Bagdogra

The months of July through February are ideal for travel to Bagdogra. The monsoon season lasts from July to October in Bagdogra. The summertime period begins in March and lasts until May. In this hill town, tourism peaks in the summer. The town is surrounded by mountains covered in snow, so the summer temperatures are generally low. The daily maximum temperature is 38 degrees Celsius on average. In these areas, winters may be very cold with lows of only 5 degrees Celsius. Due to the cool winter mist in the air, November to February is often regarded as one of the finest periods to visit Bagdogra.

Things to do in Sikkim

Trek in Singalila

The majority of hikers claim that the experience is once in a lifetime. However, the trail is so difficult that even the most seasoned hikers hesitate to attempt it. This is as a result of the trek’s duration; it takes about a month to finish.

You can pass via Pelling, Chiwa Bhanjyang, Pare Megu, Tikip Chu, Lamuney, and Thangshing if you decide to go on the trip, though. Additionally, you will see the stunning regions of Sikkim.

Thrill with Mountain tour on bike

The majority of vacationers highly praise and adore the daring Sikkim mountain riding tour. Some of the most exhilarating bicycling courses may be found in the Himalayas’ rocky and spectacular landscape. This makes mountain riding a well-liked hobby in Sikkim.

One may take in the splendour of the hills and the breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks while riding a bike.

Sandakphu Trek – Base Camp Mane Bhanjang

At an elevation of 11,929 feet, this location is a trekker’s paradise. It is also the highest peak in the state of West Bengal and the Singalila Range.

The Singalila range runs the entire length of the trek route to Sandakphu. Four of the world’s five tallest peaks, including Mt. Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse, may be seen during this walk. In addition, the Three Sisters and several more peaks in Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, and Bhutan are visible.

Caving in the North Lha-Ri-Nying Phu

Sikkim is a strongly spiritually oriented state, and the North Lha-Ri-Nying Phu is a particularly significant location. It is well regarded as a spiritual and religious location. Tourists from all over the world travel to this hallowed location, the cave.

But because of its difficult terrain and stunning scenery, cave exploring is an excursion you will definitely love. Despite the fact that the trekking path is rather difficult, the experience is worthwhile.

Raft in Teesta

You will encounter strong adrenaline levels and heart-pounding rapids while rafting. Because of its rapids, the Teesta River is a popular place for rafting. All you have to do is follow the power paddling and steer clear of the river’s raging currents.

You will be surrounded by dense woods, rice fields, and little hamlets as you paddle along the river. In fact, if you’re ready for a little extra adventure, you can even set up camp on the river’s edge in a tent.

Places to visit in Sikkim

Thangu

The captivating Thangu Valley, perched atop a towering 3,962 m, is covered in a thick blanket of snow for almost the entire year. Lush alpine flora covers the entire area in May and June. The well-known Chopta Valley and Muguthang treks have bases in Thangu as well.

There are several mind-blowing sights that captivate your senses, many of which are graced by the rivers Teesta, Chopta, and Lassur which cut through the valley. The village of Thangu is a quiet small place located far from the noise and bustle of towns and cities, flanked on each side by steep Himalayan massifs. From Gangtok, the journey to the valley takes six to seven hours of beautiful driving.

Kanchenjunga National Park

The Khangchendzonga National Park, also known as the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve, is bestowed by the Western slopes of Mount Kanchenjunga and offers a variety of surprises throughout the hiking paths. Places like Yuksom, Dzongri, the enormous Zemu Glacier, Goechala, Rathang, Bakim, Tshoka, etc. are accessible via the routes.

The largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim is Khangchendzonga National Park, which covers an area of 850 square kilometres. The abundance of animals like the red panda, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, barking deer, musk deer, flying squirrel, and wild ass adds to the immensity of this green hideaway.

Enchey Monastery

The monastery was once held by Lama Dhrupthob Karpo when it was established in the 19th century. It is also notable for its architectural wonder Chinese Pagoda design. But Kind Sikyong Tulku reconstructed the monastery in 1908, and it is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sikkim.

Its current design is consistent with China’s holy mountain, which was once thought to be Jampelyang’s spiritual home. He was regarded by northern Buddhists as the God of Knowledge.

Zemu Glacier

The eastern starting point for climbing Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world, is Zemu Glacier. It is a 26-kilometer-long glacier that serves as the Himalayan Teesta River’s principal water source. You go by vehicle from Gangtok to Lachen in North Sikkim before walking towards Jakthang.

At Green Lake, which is around 16,000 feet above sea level, most hikers terminate their journey and head back, but if you continue on, passing through Yabuk and Rimbik, you’ll eventually come to the snow-covered Zemu Glacier at 18,648 feet above sea level. Standing at this elevation, you can see the magnificence of Mount Siniolchu and other Himalayan peaks.

Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical garden

Enjoy the expansive Botanical Garden’s hilltop location as you take in the views of the lush, green mountain slopes, along with the orchids, rhododendrons, and other Himalayan flowers. Near the Rumtek monastery and around 22 KM from Gangtok, in the Yumthang Valley, is where you’ll find the Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden. A sizable playground for children, a little but lovely lake, and an assortment of flowers are all found there.

Phodong Monastery

One of Sikkim’s six top monasteries and one of the three Kagyu sect monasteries are located around 28 kilometres from Gangtok. The Phodong Monastery was built somewhere in the first half of the eighteenth century.

A varied collection of historic murals and paintings adorn the monastery. It offers beautiful scenery and a pure atmosphere while perched at a height of 4500 feet above sea level.

Sikkim Zoological Park

Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park, one of the popular tourist destinations in Sikkim, is a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors and animals, spanning over 230 hectares of a wooded hill. This tiny hilltop zoo’s star attraction is a cute Red Panda that grabs everyone’s attention.

Here, you may see Himalayan Black Bears, Clouded Leopards, Porcupines, Leopard Cats, Tibetan Wolves, Large Indian Civets, Gorals, Barking Deer, Himalayan Palm Civets, Yaks, and other large cats like Bengal Tigers and Black Panthers.

Either rent a vehicle for a half-day trip or opt to walk 2.5 kilometres from the entrance gate to gated areas where you may see animals.

Singalila National Park

Singalila National Park sprawls on the Singalila Ridge at around 7000 feet and offers some of the best views of the Himalayas, particularly of the peaks of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest.

This park, which was established as a national park in 1992, may be visited in considerable portions while travelling to the Sandakphu and Phalut treks, which are the park’s two highest peaks at more than 11,000 feet each.

It is quite well known among the Sikkim tourist attractions. The pathways in this area are carpeted with carpets of a variety of rhododendrons and orchids that are in bloom and flowering in a broad range of vibrant hues.

Do drul Chorten 

Do Drul Chorten, a large stupa with a distinctive golden top dome, located near to the Research Institute of Tibetology. In 1946, a Tibetan lama who practised the Nyingma Order of Buddhism arrived here on a hermitage pilgrimage and built the stupa.

It is one of the unusual Sikkim tourist attractions, viewable from several vantage points in Sikkim, and is surrounded by a total of 108 prayer wheels.