Meet your driver at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) and drive up to Darjeeling through scenic tea valleys and Himalayan foothills; the drive is the most practical way into the hills. Expect hairpin roads and beautiful Teesta valley views en route.
Classic Darjeeling bakery with a varied menu and great views from the terrace; a comfortable first meal after the drive. Glenary’s is usually open from early morning through evening — check seasonal times.
Check in and relax; acclimatise slowly — Darjeeling sits at about 2,000 m so take it easy the first afternoon. Useful time to sort permits and confirm North Sikkim transfers.
A gentle evening stroll around Chowrasta and the Mall to soak in local life, shops and views of Mount Kanchenjunga (weather permitting). Great for tea shops, souvenir shopping and street snacks.
Popular local eatery serving authentic Tibetan and Nepali dishes including thukpa and momos — hearty, warming food for a winter evening. Open into the evening; check last-orders locally.
Early pick-up for Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga and the Eastern Himalaya; continue to nearby Ghoom Monastery for morning prayers and views. Sunrise times vary; check local hotel pickup time and dress for sub-zero temperatures in February.
Hearty breakfast at a long-standing café — choose Indian or Continental options; great place to warm up after the sunrise trip. Most cafés open early (around 7:00–8:00am).
Visit the HMI museum (mountaineering history and gear) and the Himalayan zoo next door (specialised high-altitude animals). HMI & zoo normally open ~9:30–16:00; HMI may be closed on certain weekdays — check before visiting.
Relax over a substantial meal—both spots serve a mix of local and international dishes and are well-rated for tourists. Open during lunchtime; popular so allow time for a table.
Visit one of Darjeeling’s oldest tea gardens for a short factory tour and a tasting — learn about orthodox tea processing and sample fresh Darjeeling tea. Estates usually welcome visitors 9:00–16:00; confirm tour availability.
If operational, the ropeway offers dramatic valley views (note it sometimes closes for maintenance or weather). If it's closed, enjoy more Mall Road time or a café stop.
Enjoy local cuisine or international comfort food; booking advised for busy evenings. Most restaurants operate into the evening, but confirm seasonal hours.
Journey eastwards into Sikkim via scenic hill roads and Teesta Valley; journey takes about 4–5 hours depending on traffic and weather. Stop en route for photos and comfort breaks.
Stop at a roadside restaurant for a warm meal and to stretch your legs; Rangpo is the Sikkim entry point with small eateries and shops. Timings depend on your progress; restaurants here serve until late afternoon.
Check into your Gangtok hotel then enjoy an easy evening walk along MG Marg — pedestrian-only, lined with cafés and shops. A good place to arrange permits for North Sikkim if not already done.
Savour Tibetan and local fare near MG Marg; excellent momos, thukpa and Tibetan bread. Most restaurants open through the evening — good for warming up after the drive.
Early breakfast before a possible day trip to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake; confirm with the hotel or operator on permit and vehicle departure time. Hotels usually serve breakfast from 7:00am.
Drive to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake and Baba Harbhajan Mandir — a high-altitude alpine lake with stunning scenery; the round trip takes 6–8 hours. ILP and sometimes restricted permits / vehicle fees apply; check permit rules and road/weather conditions (Tsomgo open ~8:00–16:00).
If on the Tsomgo excursion, a packed or roadside lunch is practical; restaurants near the lake are basic and seasonal. Carry warm clothing and snacks — winter services are limited.
If you skip Tsomgo, visit Rumtek Monastery for a peaceful cultural experience and see Do Drul Chorten stupa nearby; Rumtek is usually open 6:00–18:00. Good winter afternoon option when road trips are uncertain.
Relax with Tibetan or multi-cuisine options on MG Marg; an easy evening after a long day. Most restaurants close around 10:00–11:00pm; check local times.
Depart Gangtok early for the drive to Lachung (approx 5–6 hours), the gateway to Yumthang Valley. Road climbs and views are spectacular but allow extra time for mountain conditions.
Break at Chungthang for photos and local snacks; Chungthang is where the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet and is an important staging point. Short stop to stretch and enjoy river scenery.
Simple local lunch on the road — options are basic but filling, a good opportunity to taste local mountain cuisine. In winter expect limited menus and early closing times.
Arrive Lachung, check in to your hotel or guesthouse and take a short walk in the village to experience rural Sikkim life and Himalayan views. Electricity and heating vary by accommodation in winter — confirm wood/central heating availability.
Most Lachung hotels offer home-style dinners; hot soups and noodles are ideal after a cold day. Dining timings depend on each property so arrange in advance.
Head up to Yumthang Valley (the ‘Valley of Flowers’) for sunrise and snow views; in February the valley is likely snow-covered and spectacular. Permits and a driver experienced in mountain winter conditions are essential.
Explore the frozen meadows, hot springs (if accessible) and panoramic valley views; this is the highlight of North Sikkim visits. Local facilities are basic; carry warm clothing.
Continue higher to Zero Point for high-altitude snowfields and a dramatic alpine landscape; note Zero Point access is highly weather-dependent and may be closed in winter or by vehicle permit rules. Confirm with your driver before planning.
Begin the return to Gangtok — long scenic drive with possible stops; allow 5–7 hours depending on road and weather. Late arrival is possible, so keep the evening flexible.
Late dinner at your Gangtok hotel after a big day; simple, warming food recommended. Many Gangtok hotels can accommodate late arrivals with prior notice.
Leisurely breakfast — today is a buffer day to recover, shop, or do short excursions (e.g., Namgyal Institute, Do Drul Chorten, Hanuman Tok). Useful in February as mountain weather can cause delays earlier in the trip.
Cultural visit to Rumtek (seat of the Karmapa) and the Do Drul Chorten stupa — peaceful and photogenic sites close to Gangtok. Rumtek normally open 6:00–18:00; check for any closing days or religious events.
Browse handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, tea and local souvenirs; Lal Bazaar is great for authentic Sikkimese items and local foodstuffs. Markets may close early in winter evenings.
Final full dinner in Gangtok: choose a comfortable multi-cuisine restaurant to reflect on the trip and try any dishes you missed earlier. Reservation recommended on busy nights.
Drive back down to Bagdogra for your flight; journey takes about 4–5 hours depending on traffic and weather, so allow substantial transfer time for morning mountain roads. Plan to arrive at the airport 2–3 hours before your flight.
If your schedule allows, stop en route for a last Indian meal in the plains before departing. Airport cafes are limited; consider packing snacks if your flight is early.