Places To Visit In Sikkim During Summer

To experience the true charm of the mountains in northeast India, visit it in the most fitting timespan, which is summer! Being the most dreaded season, summer makes the plains in the northern India unbearable, and its the time people across the country begin their hunt for a soothing summer destination. Summer is the time when kids get a summer vacation break from their school, even working professional plan a much-needed break with family and friends. While looking for a perfect escape, Sikkim in summer months look ideal for a comforting vacation.

Suggested Read: Things To Do in Sikkim, How To Reach Sikkim & Best Time To Visit Sikkim

What’s special about Sikkim in summer

All the super refreshing nature, lush meadows, vast rolling hills, and never-ending valleys of Sikkim come out of their slumber with the advent of summer. Everything around seems so tempting, and Sikkim looks just perfect for a great vacation. The popular attraction like Nathu La and lakes stationed at extreme heights are accessible and truly a stunning beauty to behold.

While the biodiversity of Khangchendzonga National Park and Yumthang Valley brims with life, and it doesn’t get prettier than this. Moving around in Sikkim is so convenient as the winter snow doesn’t make the roads sluggish anymore.

1. Khangchendzonga National Park

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is certainly the biggest attraction for all the nature seekers planning a Sikkim vacation. Home to some of the endangered species like musk deer, snow leopards, clouded leopards, and Himalayan tahrs the Khangchendzonga National Park is a visual delight for everyone into wilderness and wildlife.

There are ample of organized safaris and bird watching tours conducted inside the national park region giving a glimpse of the remarkable biodiversity. Make sure that this heritage site is on top of your list while you are on a Sikkim holiday.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is certainly the biggest attraction for all the nature seekers planning a Sikkim vacation. Home to some of the endangered species like musk deer, snow leopards, clouded leopards, and Himalayan tahrs the Khangchendzonga National Park is a visual delight for everyone into wilderness and wildlife.

There are ample of organized safaris and bird watching tours conducted inside the national park region giving a glimpse of the remarkable biodiversity. Make sure that this heritage site is on top of your list while you are on a Sikkim holiday.

Entry Fee: INR 350 per head for Indians, INR 560 for foreigners, INR 80 per head for Indian students Note: There is an additional charge you have to pay for a camera.

Popular tourist attractions in Khangchendzonga National Park: Vegetations of the park – broad-leaved forest and alpine scrub, Goechala, and Samiti Lake.

How to reach Khangchendzonga National Park: Bagdogra Airport (122 km) and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (120 km approximately) are the nearest airport and railhead to Sikkim. From these points of contact, the rest of the journey must be traveled by road. It takes 4 hours approximately to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra by road. NH 31A is the road that runs up to the national park. Gangtok to Khangchendzonga is 46 km which can be covered in a private vehicle.

Suggested Read: Wildlife in Sikkim

2. Valley of Flowers in Yumthang

Believed to be one of the most stunning places to visit in Sikkim, the Yumthang Valley of Flowers is a cut above the rest when it comes to the grand display of flora and fauna. Yumthang, with its infinite stretch of millions of flowers, carpeted across the valley, and rivers, valley, and lofty peaks around make a top tourist attraction in Sikkim.

An astonishing nature sanctuary located in the heart of North Sikkim, the Yumthang Valley of Flowers is all about the perfect balance of flora and fauna. Featuring hot springs, rivers, valleys, vast pastures, and yaks strolling through the breathtaking meadows, Yumthang Valley is one of the must-visit tourist places in Sikkim in summer for all the travelers.

Popular tourist attractions in Yumthang: Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary with over 35 species of rhododendron spread over 34 sq. km. area, iris, primulas, cobra lilies, louseworts, and poppies are other exotic flowers that flourish across the valley.

How to reach Yumthang: Lachung, being the nearest town, is approachable from Gangtok. Lachung – Gangtok route decked with views but is also advised to not cross this stretch after 5 pm as it gets too difficult to drive after dark, plus the bumpy patches on the road make things only difficult. Lachung to Gangtok (102 km) is a 4-hour ride. River Teesta flows along the Gangtok-Lachung stretch.

Note: Because of its close proximity with China border, you will require a special permit to visit Lachung which can be obtained from Gangtok Tourism office or Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Office at Chungthang. However, if you book through tour operators they will ensure hassle-free journey you.

3. Singalila National Park

Mentioned as one of the top tourist attractions in the month of May and June in Sikkim, the Singalila National Park, at 7000 feet is a unique display of biodiversity in the region and boasts of infinite trekking trails that make crisscross the national park region. The popular Sandakphu trekking route runs across the national park and makes for a challenging trail for the adventurers.

While most of the national park falls under West Bengal region, there is a part of the national park in the north that comes in the territory of Sikkim. Sandakphu and Phalut are the two of the highest peaks in the national park that offer panoramic views of the magical surroundings.

Popular tourist attractions in Singalila National Park: Jeep safari exhibiting over 600 varieties of flora and wildlife such as Yellow-throated martens, long-tailed Pangolins, wild boars, the rare lizards, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopards, and Himalayan Newt, and lake areas Jorpokhri and Sukhiapokhri.

How to reach Singalila National Park: Manebhanjan, the nearest town to the national park is about 100 km from Bagdogra as well as NJP Railway Station.

4. Nathu La Pass

At 14,140 feet, Nathula Pass is the most talked-about attractions in Sikkim and certainly a magical place to visit in summer. The pass also believed to be the famous silk route, is today a daunting mountain pass that connects Sikkim to Tibet, which means it is quite close to China.

Nathula Pass is a summer special destination because for most of the winter and even till the start of the winter the pass is buried under tons of snow making the pass completely inaccessible. However, the chances of witnessing a snowfall in summer here are next to impossible.

Nathula Pass visiting days: Wednesday to Sunday

Popular tourist attractions at Nathula Pass: Baba Mandir and Tsomgo Lake

How to reach Nathula Pass: Bagdogra Airport, 178 km far from Nathula Pass, is the nearest airstrip to the Pass, while New Jalpaiguri train station is the nearest railhead. Gangtok is 54 km to its west, and a drive can only take you there. Bigger and sturdier vehicles like Bolero, Innova, and Scorpio can be easily rented in Gangtok. Shared cabs till Nathula Pass is also available.

Make sure that you are well acclimated before you set for Nathula Pass because the oxygen levels drop down dramatically here.

5. Gurudongmar Lake

At a daunting altitude of 17,800 feet above sea lies Gurudongmar Lake, the pristine beauty tucked in the majestic Himalayas. Its extreme location makes it one of the highest lakes in India as well as the world, and certainly a popular tourist attraction in Sikkim.

The lake has its religious significance for Sikhs, Buddhists, and Hindus alike. Besides, the natural beauty of this place will blow away your mind!

Popular tourist attractions at Gurudongmar Lake: Drive up to Yumesamdong (Zero Point) and Cholamu Lake.

How to reach Gurudongmar Lake: Lachen is 68 km (3 hours) far from the lake. Gangtok to Lachen is 120 km approximately which is roughly 6-hour drive!

6. Khecheopalri Lake

Khecheopalri is a popular tourist attraction in Sikkim and is famous amongst the tourists as the holy lake associated with Guru Padmasambhava. Set in the West Sikkim region, Khecheopalri Lake is a scenic treat to all the tourists and is certainly the best place to visit in Sikkim in Summer.

There are plenty of devotees who come here to say prayers to the almighty, and then there are adventure devotees who come here to extend their offerings to the mountains. The natural lake looks so like a crater, all surrounded by spectacular mountains.

Popular tourist attractions in Khecheopalri: Plenty of prayer flags and prayer wheels around, Khecheopalri Monastery, and pristine lake water amidst mountains.

How to reach Khecheopalri: Pelling, being the nearest popular town, is 30 km(1.5 hours) far from the lake. Gangtok is very well connected to Pelling which is 112 km away. Regular jeeps or shared, and buses ply from Pelling to Khecheopalri Lake in tandem.

7. Goecha La

Goecha La is believed to be one of the most daunting treks India. At 16,207 feet, Goecha La makes for an 11-day trek spanning across the most drool-worthy landscapes in the northeast. The trails are certainly challenging that make it a popular thing to go for in Sikkim in summer.

It is therefore advised to walk ahead precariously and scale heights before making it to this obscure location! As you set for this 90-km trek you can expect to come across some of the most popular Sikkim tourist attractions.

Popular tourist attractions in Goecha La: Khecheopalri Lake, Tashiding Monastery, Dubdi Monastery, and Kartok Monastery.

How to reach Goecha La: Bagdogra Airport to Yuksom is 155 km by road. It takes around 7 hours to cover the distance. Even from NJP Railway Station, Yuksom is 6-7 hour drive.

For once, plan a visit to Sikkim in summer & get smitten by the remarkable beauty of the place, untouched, unalloyed. Buy your favorite Sikkim tour package now!