The hills
Eight hills, eight colours
From the Dooars at about 100 m to Gurudongmar above 5,000 m. Compare height, season and the cheapest way to see each one.
Darjeeling & GhoomSteam-engine blue and Kanchenjunga dawn
The thunderbolt ridge, its tea and villages
Altitude760–2,567Day₹1,950BestMar – May · Oct – Dec
Kurseong, Mirik & the tea valleysMirik lake teal and Sittong orange
Tea slopes, a lake town and Netaji's hill
Altitude1,200–2,200Day₹1,750BestMar – May · Oct – Dec
Kalimpong, Lava & LolegaonMonastery maroon and orchid
Wool-trade town, Lepcha ridges and red panda forest
Altitude200–3,150Day₹1,850BestMar – May · Oct – Dec
Sandakphu & the Singalila RidgeRhododendron red and ridge slate
Walk the border ridge to see Everest
Altitude1,900–3,636Day₹2,100BestApr · Oct – Dec
Gangtok & East SikkimTsomgo turquoise and prayer-flag yellow
A hilltop capital and the old road to Tibet
Altitude330–4,310Day₹1,650BestMar – May · Oct – Dec
North Sikkim: Lachung & LachenGlacier ice and primula violet
Two village councils, two valleys, one sacred lake
Altitude956–5,183Day₹1,850BestMar – May · Oct – Nov
Pelling, Yuksom & South SikkimButter-lamp ochre and cardamom green
Where Sikkim's kings were crowned
Altitude1,465–3,000Day₹2,000BestMar – May · Oct – Dec
The Dooars & SiliguriSal forest green and elephant-grass gold
Rhinos, tea gardens and the gates of Bhutan
Altitude61–900Day₹1,650BestNov – Mar
Season almanac
Best months side by side
| Hill | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling | ||||||||||||
| Kurseong & Mirik | ||||||||||||
| Kalimpong | ||||||||||||
| Singalila | ||||||||||||
| Gangtok | ||||||||||||
| North Sikkim | ||||||||||||
| West & South Sikkim | ||||||||||||
| Dooars |