Things to do
Culture and history
Stories told on site: the Raj hill station, the Silk Route trade, the Lepcha, Bhutia and Gorkha homes of these hills.
Culture and history · Half dayThe drive down via Ging and PulbazarBijanbari · Shared jeep ₹100–150 a seat · car ₹2,50…
Culture and history · 3 hoursHMI and the Himalayan zoo in one morningDarjeeling · ≈ ₹100–150 joint ticket (Indian visitor…
Culture and history · 2 hoursChowrasta to Observatory Hill on footDarjeeling · Free · tea and cake ₹150–300
Culture and history · 5–6 hoursA day circuit to Takdah and TinchuleyLamahatta · ₹2,500–4,000 a car for the day
Culture and history · 4–5 hoursHalf-day to Sukhia Pokhari and JorepokhriLepchajagat · ₹1,500–2,500 by car · under ₹200 by jeep
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursRabindra Bhavan, Tagore's house at MungpooMungpoo · Free or a small fee
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursWalk the 1864 cinchona plantationMungpoo · Free
Culture and history · Half dayTagore's birth anniversary in early MayMungpoo · Free
Culture and history · OvernightAn evening in a tea-village homestayPeshok · ₹1,500–2,500 pp with dinner and breakfa…
Culture and history · 3–4 hoursAcross the border to Pashupati marketSukhia Pokhari · ₹600–1,200 local car + shopping
Culture and history · 2 hoursHeritage bungalow walk in old TakdahTakdah · Free
Culture and history · 45 minutesThe 1839 chimney on the old roadChimney · Free or a small fee
Culture and history · 2 hoursDow Hill ghost lore by daylightDow Hill · ₹800–1,200 for a car with a local driver
Culture and history · 1 hourVictoria School and the 1879 ridgeDow Hill · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursLife in a high tea villageGopaldhara · Free · guide ₹500–800
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursNetaji's house at GiddapaharKurseong · Free or a small fee · car ₹400–600 retu…
Culture and history · 2 hoursThrough the quinine treesLatpanchar · Free
Culture and history · 1 hourHow the salamander ponds are protectedNamthing Pokhri · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursSittong's old church and village lanesSittong · Free
Culture and history · 45 minutesThe sardar who planted SoureneeSourenee · Free
Culture and history · EveningLepcha stories by a homestay fireCharkhole · Included with homestay
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursOrchid and cactus nurseries of KalimpongKalimpong · ₹20–100 entry at some nurseries
Culture and history · 3 hoursDr Graham's Homes and the Deolo slopeKalimpong · Free · taxi ₹200–300
Culture and history · Half dayA farm day with a Rai family in KolakhamKolakham · Included with homestay · tip welcome
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursKafer viewpoint and a Lepcha village walkLolegaon · Free · guide ₹500–800
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursDamsang, the Lepcha fort above PedongPedong · Free · car ₹600–1,000 return
Culture and history · 1 hourCross Hill and the missionaries of the Tibet roadPedong · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursPedong bazaar and the old mule roadPedong · ₹100–250 for tea and snacks
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursCinchona slopes and village trailsSillery Gaon · Free · guide ₹500–800
Culture and history · 1 hourThe river town after the 2023 floodTeesta Bazar · ₹50–150 for tea and snacks
Culture and history · OvernightA night in a Dhotrey forest homestayDhotrey · ₹1,200–2,000 pp with meals
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursA lazy afternoon on the Gorkhey meadowsGorkhey · Free
Culture and history · 30 minutesWalk around the black pond at dawnKalipokhri · Free
Culture and history · 30–45 minutesMeet the old Land Rovers at the standManeybhanjan · Free
Culture and history · 1 hourWalk the bazaar on the Nepal borderManeybhanjan · Free · ₹100–200 for snacks
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursAn afternoon wander through Rammam villageRammam · Free
Culture and history · 1–2 hoursBrowse Rimbik's Tuesday haatRimbik · Free · ₹100–300 for snacks and small bu…
Culture and history · 1 hourA morning walk through Samanden's terracesSamanden · Free
Culture and history · OvernightA night with a farming family in SamandenSamanden · ₹900–1,600 pp with dinner and breakfast
Culture and history · Evening and overnightA night on the Nepal side of the ridgeTumling · ₹400–700 bed · ₹200–300 dinner
Culture and history · 2 hoursSunrise from Mankhim above the lakeAritar · Free · donation at the shrine welcome
Culture and history · 2–2.5 hoursDo-drul Chorten and the Tibetology museumGangtok · Chorten free · museum small fee
Culture and history · OvernightA night in the Gnathang valleyGnathang · ₹1,200–2,000 pp with dinner and breakfa…
Culture and history · 30–45 minutesThe old Baba Mandir bunker shrineGnathang · Free · offerings optional
Culture and history · 30–60 minutesThe 1888 memorials around GnathangGnathang · Free
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hours on footYak pastures and the village monasteryGnathang · Free · donation welcome
Culture and history · 30 minutes, as part of the driveLooking up the old road to Jelep LaKupup · Free
Culture and history · 30–45 minutesThe shrine of Baba Harbhajan SinghNathu La · Free · offerings optional
Culture and history · Woven through the day tripThe trade road and the 1967 clashesNathu La · Free
Culture and history · One nightA first night in the forest at 2,000 mPadamchen · ₹1,200–1,800 pp with dinner and breakfa…
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursA walk through Pakyong's organic farm terracesPakyong · Free · tip a local guide ₹300–500
Culture and history · 15 minutes to 1 hourCrossing into Sikkim at the Rangpo checkpostRangpo · Free
Culture and history · 1–2 hoursGetting your Silk Route permit at RongliRongli · Small permit fee · agent charge varies
Culture and history · 1 hourThe golden stupa and the monks' collegeRumtek · Free · donation customary at the stupa
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursDown to old Rumtek through the villageRumtek · Free
Culture and history · 30 minutesGuru Rinpoche's rock and the paddy patchChungthang · Free · donation welcome
Culture and history · 30 minutesUnderstanding the 2023 Teesta floodChungthang · Free
Culture and history · 30 minutesThe Guru Rinpoche legend on the shoreGurudongmar Lake · Free
Culture and history · 45 minutesThe oath stones of Thekong Tek and Khye BumsaKabi Lungchok · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursEvening in a Lachenpa kitchenLachen · Included in homestay stay
Culture and history · 2 hoursA Dzumsa village walk with your hostLachung · Free · tip your host if they guide you
Culture and history · Half dayAn organic farm village above the TeestaMangan · ₹300–600 for a local guide and tea (ind…
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursTumlong, capital of Sikkim for a centuryPhodong · Free
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursA Lepcha village walk and the Kongchen storySinghik · Free · ₹200–400 tip for a local guide
Culture and history · 1 hourWatching the yak herds of ThanguThangu · Free · ask before photographs
Culture and history · 45 minutesA warm soak at the Yumthang hot springYumthang Valley · Free
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursDentam rice terrace walk at harvestDentam · Free · tip a local guide ₹300–500
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursLimboo kitchen evening and tongba by the fireHee Bermiok · Included with homestay dinner
Culture and history · 1 hourKaluk's Lepcha heritage houseKaluk · Small fee or donation (check locally)
Culture and history · 1 hourFirst hour on the prayer-flag jettyKhecheopalri · Small entry or parking fee · lamps ₹20–…
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursChar Dham pilgrimage complex at SolophokNamchi · Entry roughly ₹50–100 pp; check
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursForest walk to the Rabdentse ruinsPelling · Free or a small fee · check at the gate
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursBuddha Park in the quiet first hourRavangla · Entry roughly ₹50–100 pp; check
Culture and history · Overnight or half dayKewzing village homestay and Bon monasteryRavangla · Homestay ₹1,500–2,500 pp with meals
Culture and history · 1 hourThe poison lake and the 1860 campaignRinchenpong · Free
Culture and history · 1 hourThongwa Rangdol and the mani stone koraTashiding · Free
Culture and history · 1–2 daysBumchu night with the pilgrimsTashiding · Free · rooms ₹1,500–3,000 pp, book early
Culture and history · 2 hoursUttarey village and lake morning walkUttarey · Free
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursNorbugang throne and Kathok Lake at duskYuksom · Free or a small fee (check)
Culture and history · 2 hoursTashi Tenka and the old capital on footYuksom · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursLarge cardamom on the Bindu slopesBindu · Free; tip or buy a packet
Culture and history · 1 hourRajabhatkhawa: where the king ate riceBuxa · Small entry fee at the centre (indicati…
Culture and history · 2 hours with safariThe brick ruins of Nalraja GarhChilapata · Included in Chilapata safari, ₹2,500–3,…
Culture and history · Half-dayTotopara and the Toto languageJaldapara National Park · Car ₹1,500–2,000; no entry fee
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursA walk through the hydel colony and riverJhalong · Free
Culture and history · 3–4 hoursHalf-day to the Jalpesh Shiva templeLataguri · ₹1,500–2,000 car; temple free
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursA local dinner and folk dance eveningMurti · Dance programme about ₹275 at some camp…
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursHong Kong Market for jackets and gearSiliguri · Free to browse
Culture and history · 3 hoursHMI and the Himalayan zoo in one morningDarjeeling · ≈ ₹100–150 joint ticket (Indian visitor…
Culture and history · 2 hoursChowrasta to Observatory Hill on footDarjeeling · Free · tea and cake ₹150–300
Culture and history · 5–6 hoursA day circuit to Takdah and TinchuleyLamahatta · ₹2,500–4,000 a car for the day
Culture and history · 4–5 hoursHalf-day to Sukhia Pokhari and JorepokhriLepchajagat · ₹1,500–2,500 by car · under ₹200 by jeep
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursRabindra Bhavan, Tagore's house at MungpooMungpoo · Free or a small fee
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursWalk the 1864 cinchona plantationMungpoo · Free
Culture and history · Half dayTagore's birth anniversary in early MayMungpoo · Free
Culture and history · OvernightAn evening in a tea-village homestayPeshok · ₹1,500–2,500 pp with dinner and breakfa…
Culture and history · 3–4 hoursAcross the border to Pashupati marketSukhia Pokhari · ₹600–1,200 local car + shopping
Culture and history · 2 hoursHeritage bungalow walk in old TakdahTakdah · Free
Culture and history · 45 minutesThe 1839 chimney on the old roadChimney · Free or a small fee
Culture and history · 2 hoursDow Hill ghost lore by daylightDow Hill · ₹800–1,200 for a car with a local driver
Culture and history · 1 hourVictoria School and the 1879 ridgeDow Hill · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursLife in a high tea villageGopaldhara · Free · guide ₹500–800
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursNetaji's house at GiddapaharKurseong · Free or a small fee · car ₹400–600 retu…
Culture and history · 2 hoursThrough the quinine treesLatpanchar · Free
Culture and history · 1 hourHow the salamander ponds are protectedNamthing Pokhri · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursSittong's old church and village lanesSittong · Free
Culture and history · 45 minutesThe sardar who planted SoureneeSourenee · Free
Culture and history · EveningLepcha stories by a homestay fireCharkhole · Included with homestay
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursOrchid and cactus nurseries of KalimpongKalimpong · ₹20–100 entry at some nurseries
Culture and history · 3 hoursDr Graham's Homes and the Deolo slopeKalimpong · Free · taxi ₹200–300
Culture and history · Half dayA farm day with a Rai family in KolakhamKolakham · Included with homestay · tip welcome
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursKafer viewpoint and a Lepcha village walkLolegaon · Free · guide ₹500–800
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursDamsang, the Lepcha fort above PedongPedong · Free · car ₹600–1,000 return
Culture and history · 1 hourCross Hill and the missionaries of the Tibet roadPedong · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursPedong bazaar and the old mule roadPedong · ₹100–250 for tea and snacks
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursCinchona slopes and village trailsSillery Gaon · Free · guide ₹500–800
Culture and history · 1 hourThe river town after the 2023 floodTeesta Bazar · ₹50–150 for tea and snacks
Culture and history · OvernightA night in a Dhotrey forest homestayDhotrey · ₹1,200–2,000 pp with meals
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursA lazy afternoon on the Gorkhey meadowsGorkhey · Free
Culture and history · 30 minutesWalk around the black pond at dawnKalipokhri · Free
Culture and history · 30–45 minutesMeet the old Land Rovers at the standManeybhanjan · Free
Culture and history · 1 hourWalk the bazaar on the Nepal borderManeybhanjan · Free · ₹100–200 for snacks
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursAn afternoon wander through Rammam villageRammam · Free
Culture and history · 1–2 hoursBrowse Rimbik's Tuesday haatRimbik · Free · ₹100–300 for snacks and small bu…
Culture and history · 1 hourA morning walk through Samanden's terracesSamanden · Free
Culture and history · OvernightA night with a farming family in SamandenSamanden · ₹900–1,600 pp with dinner and breakfast
Culture and history · Evening and overnightA night on the Nepal side of the ridgeTumling · ₹400–700 bed · ₹200–300 dinner
Culture and history · 2 hoursSunrise from Mankhim above the lakeAritar · Free · donation at the shrine welcome
Culture and history · 2–2.5 hoursDo-drul Chorten and the Tibetology museumGangtok · Chorten free · museum small fee
Culture and history · OvernightA night in the Gnathang valleyGnathang · ₹1,200–2,000 pp with dinner and breakfa…
Culture and history · 30–45 minutesThe old Baba Mandir bunker shrineGnathang · Free · offerings optional
Culture and history · 30–60 minutesThe 1888 memorials around GnathangGnathang · Free
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hours on footYak pastures and the village monasteryGnathang · Free · donation welcome
Culture and history · 30 minutes, as part of the driveLooking up the old road to Jelep LaKupup · Free
Culture and history · 30–45 minutesThe shrine of Baba Harbhajan SinghNathu La · Free · offerings optional
Culture and history · Woven through the day tripThe trade road and the 1967 clashesNathu La · Free
Culture and history · One nightA first night in the forest at 2,000 mPadamchen · ₹1,200–1,800 pp with dinner and breakfa…
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursA walk through Pakyong's organic farm terracesPakyong · Free · tip a local guide ₹300–500
Culture and history · 15 minutes to 1 hourCrossing into Sikkim at the Rangpo checkpostRangpo · Free
Culture and history · 1–2 hoursGetting your Silk Route permit at RongliRongli · Small permit fee · agent charge varies
Culture and history · 1 hourThe golden stupa and the monks' collegeRumtek · Free · donation customary at the stupa
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursDown to old Rumtek through the villageRumtek · Free
Culture and history · 30 minutesGuru Rinpoche's rock and the paddy patchChungthang · Free · donation welcome
Culture and history · 30 minutesUnderstanding the 2023 Teesta floodChungthang · Free
Culture and history · 30 minutesThe Guru Rinpoche legend on the shoreGurudongmar Lake · Free
Culture and history · 45 minutesThe oath stones of Thekong Tek and Khye BumsaKabi Lungchok · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursEvening in a Lachenpa kitchenLachen · Included in homestay stay
Culture and history · 2 hoursA Dzumsa village walk with your hostLachung · Free · tip your host if they guide you
Culture and history · Half dayAn organic farm village above the TeestaMangan · ₹300–600 for a local guide and tea (ind…
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursTumlong, capital of Sikkim for a centuryPhodong · Free
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursA Lepcha village walk and the Kongchen storySinghik · Free · ₹200–400 tip for a local guide
Culture and history · 1 hourWatching the yak herds of ThanguThangu · Free · ask before photographs
Culture and history · 45 minutesA warm soak at the Yumthang hot springYumthang Valley · Free
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursDentam rice terrace walk at harvestDentam · Free · tip a local guide ₹300–500
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursLimboo kitchen evening and tongba by the fireHee Bermiok · Included with homestay dinner
Culture and history · 1 hourKaluk's Lepcha heritage houseKaluk · Small fee or donation (check locally)
Culture and history · 1 hourFirst hour on the prayer-flag jettyKhecheopalri · Small entry or parking fee · lamps ₹20–…
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursChar Dham pilgrimage complex at SolophokNamchi · Entry roughly ₹50–100 pp; check
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursForest walk to the Rabdentse ruinsPelling · Free or a small fee · check at the gate
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursBuddha Park in the quiet first hourRavangla · Entry roughly ₹50–100 pp; check
Culture and history · Overnight or half dayKewzing village homestay and Bon monasteryRavangla · Homestay ₹1,500–2,500 pp with meals
Culture and history · 1 hourThe poison lake and the 1860 campaignRinchenpong · Free
Culture and history · 1 hourThongwa Rangdol and the mani stone koraTashiding · Free
Culture and history · 1–2 daysBumchu night with the pilgrimsTashiding · Free · rooms ₹1,500–3,000 pp, book early
Culture and history · 2 hoursUttarey village and lake morning walkUttarey · Free
Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursNorbugang throne and Kathok Lake at duskYuksom · Free or a small fee (check)
Culture and history · 2 hoursTashi Tenka and the old capital on footYuksom · Free
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursLarge cardamom on the Bindu slopesBindu · Free; tip or buy a packet
Culture and history · 1 hourRajabhatkhawa: where the king ate riceBuxa · Small entry fee at the centre (indicati…
Culture and history · 2 hours with safariThe brick ruins of Nalraja GarhChilapata · Included in Chilapata safari, ₹2,500–3,…
Culture and history · Half-dayTotopara and the Toto languageJaldapara National Park · Car ₹1,500–2,000; no entry fee
Culture and history · 1.5 hoursA walk through the hydel colony and riverJhalong · Free
Culture and history · 3–4 hoursHalf-day to the Jalpesh Shiva templeLataguri · ₹1,500–2,000 car; temple free
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursA local dinner and folk dance eveningMurti · Dance programme about ₹275 at some camp…
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursHong Kong Market for jackets and gearSiliguri · Free to browse
By hill
Other things to do