Gangtok & East Sikkim · month by month
Gangtok & East Sikkim in January
Cold, clear and quiet after New Year week. Gangtok has sharp mornings with Kanchenjunga on the skyline, and room rates fall. Tsomgo Lake is usually frozen and snow covers the road to Nathu La, which can close for days after a heavy fall. The Silk Route above Zuluk is often snowbound. It suits travellers who want snow and will accept that permit trips may be cancelled at short notice.
Local tip: Keep a spare day for Tsomgo or Nathu La, since snow closes the road after heavy falls; check current status before you travel.
Where to go
Our picks for January
Questions people ask
Good to know
Is January a good time to visit Gangtok & East Sikkim?
Cold, clear and quiet after New Year week. Gangtok has sharp mornings with Kanchenjunga on the skyline, and room rates fall. Tsomgo Lake is usually frozen and snow covers the road to Nathu La, which can close for days after a heavy fall. The Silk Route above Zuluk is often snowbound. It suits travellers who want snow and will accept that permit trips may be cancelled at short notice.
What is the weather like in Gangtok & East Sikkim in January?
Gangtok 4–13 °C, dry, clear; Tsomgo frozen, snow above 3,500 m. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Gangtok & East Sikkim in January?
We suggest Gangtok, Rumtek, Tsomgo Lake. Keep a spare day for Tsomgo or Nathu La, since snow closes the road after heavy falls; check current status before you travel.