Silk Route — Zuluk & Nathang Valley
NJP / Bagdogra → Gangtok → Nathang Valley → Zuluk → Gangtok → NJP
About this trip
Day-by-day plan
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Day1
Arrival at NJP / Bagdogra, Drive to Gangtok
Your Silk Route adventure begins the moment our driver welcomes you at NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport. Set off on a scenic drive up into the hills, tracing the winding Teesta river all the way to Gangtok, with the state entry permits processed at Rangpo along the way. On arrival, check in and rest. In the evening, head out for an easy stroll on MG Marg — the clean, traffic-free promenade at the heart of Gangtok, lined with cafés, shops and benches, the perfect way to settle into the mountains.
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Day2
Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & Transfer to Nathang Valley
After breakfast, set out on the spectacular climb into the high country. Your first stop is the glacial Tsomgo Lake at 12,400 ft, ringed with fluttering prayer flags and mirroring the peaks around it. Continue to the revered Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir before crossing into the wild, windswept expanse of the Nathang Valley, your home for the night at a lofty 13,500 ft. (Nathu La Pass can be added here as an optional extension on a separate permit, subject to opening days and weather.) As this is a big gain in altitude, take it easy today, drink plenty of water and carry warm layers — nights in Nathang are bitterly cold, the stay is a simple homestay, and the silence and star-filled skies are exactly what make it unforgettable.
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Day3
Nathang Valley to Zuluk via Thambi View Point & Lungthung
Wake before dawn for the highlight of the trip — the sunrise from Thambi View Point, where, on a clear morning, you'll watch the first golden light strike Mount Kanchenjunga while the famous stack of thirty-two hairpin bends coils down the mountainside far below. It is the defining image of the Silk Route and worth every bit of the early, freezing start. Continue down through Lungthung, stopping often for photographs as the road twists dramatically toward Zuluk, a remote little hamlet at 10,100 ft. Check into a cosy resort and spend the evening soaking in the quiet mountain air.
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Day4
Zuluk to Gangtok via Lingtam, Quekhola Falls & Eco Park
After a relaxed morning in the mountains, begin the scenic descent back toward Gangtok along the lower Silk Route. On the way, visit the peaceful Lingtam Monastery, stop to admire the cascading Quekhola Falls, and take a refreshing break at the Eco Park amid lush greenery. As you drop in altitude the landscape softens into pine forests and river valleys, and by evening you're back in the comfort of Gangtok for your final night in the hills.
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Day5
Gangtok to NJP / Bagdogra
After breakfast, begin the drive back down to the plains, following the Teesta river through the valleys the whole way. We drop you at NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport in good time for your onward journey. To keep the day stress-free, we recommend allowing at least three hours between your drop and your train or flight — leaving you with lasting memories of one of the Himalaya's most spectacular mountain roads.
What is included
Inclusions
- Private vehicle for the entire trip with an experienced hill driver
- Hotel & homestay stay on twin/double sharing basis
- Breakfast ONLY at the hotels (CP plan)
- All local permits and applicable taxes arranged and paid for wherever applicable
- Fuel, toll, parking, state entry taxes and driver allowance
- Airport / railway station pick-up and drop (point-to-point basis)
- 24×7 on-trip support via WhatsApp group and phone call
Exclusions
- Air fare and train fare
- Lunch, dinner, snacks and any personal expenses
- Monument / sightseeing entry fees, camera fees and safari charges
- Nathu La Pass permit and any optional / additional sightseeing
- Porter, guide and driver tips
- Anything caused by roadblocks, landslides or weather (extra night halts, detours, NH10 diversions)
- Tips, laundry, telephone bills and room service
- Anything not written in the inclusions list
Terms & conditions
- Booking is confirmed only after an advance of 40–50% is received; the balance is payable in full on arrival. Without advance payment, the booking is considered unconfirmed.
- Rates are for the number of passengers quoted. Adding a guest may change the vehicle and the rate.
- The vehicle operates strictly as per the itinerary on a point-to-point basis and is not available for disposal. Any transport beyond the fixed itinerary must be arranged separately.
- Any extra sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary is chargeable. Local market visits and evening outings are chargeable.
- Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking; a similar-category hotel is provided if the named one is full. If the allotted hotel is more than 4 km from the main location, extra transfer charges may apply.
- Protected-area permits (Nathu La, North Sikkim & East Sikkim / Silk Route) require a valid photo ID for every guest — Passport, Voter ID or Driving Licence. Aadhaar and PAN are NOT accepted. Both-side ID copies (PDF/JPEG) and passport-size photos of all members are mandatory.
- All sightseeing points generally open by 10:00 AM and close by 4:30 PM, and cannot all be covered in a single day; we cover as many as time permits. Missed spots due to time or weather cannot be carried to the next day.
- In case of NH10 closure due to natural calamities, extra charges apply for road diversions (₹2,500 for sedan, ₹3,500 for luxury, one way).
- If a guest is unable to visit Nathu La for any guest-related reason (late reporting, health, personal choice, etc.), the permit cost remains payable and is non-refundable.
- A/C generally remains off while driving in hill areas and is available primarily in the plains.
- The company is not responsible for any loss, injury, accident, delay, theft, natural calamity, or missed flight/train/bus due to late arrival or traffic. Guests are responsible for their own valid ID, travel documents and personal belongings.
- Cancellation: More than 30 days before travel — no charge; 11–30 days — 25%; 2–10 days — 50%; same day (journey day) — 100%. (Hotel advance is non-refundable if cancelled within 7 days of check-in.)
- As a responsible tourist, please treat your driver with respect and help keep the hills clean and green.