• Bhutan: honouring & preserving cultural heritage, traditional architecture and native knowledge
• Northeast India: Experiencing amazing natural wonders & cultural diversity between Myanmar & Tibet
Sikkim Mountain World
The Himalayas surround the northern, eastern and western borders of Sikkim. The Chola range divide Sikkim from Tibet in the Northeast and Bhutan in the Southeast while the Singelila range separate it from Nepal in the West and the the Greater Himalayan range forming the barrier to Tibet in the North. Mt Khangchendzonga lies in the Northwest of Sikkim and is not only the third highest mountain in the world - and the highest in India - but also the abode of the guardian deity of Sikkim and therefore considered very sacred by the people. Besides many high peaks, many of which remain unnamed till date, there are 80 glaciers, 227 high-altitude lakes (including Tsomgo, Gurudongma and Khechoperi), five major hot springs and more than 100 rivers and streams and many waterfalls. Eight mountain passes connect the state to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal, though none of these are open for visitor-traffic.
Nature Walks, Day-hikes & Trekking in Sikkim
Sikkim offers some of the finest trekking experience in the entire Himalaya. There are many trekking-routes and day-hikes that we have personally explored with difficulty-levels ranging from easy to challenging. Within altitudes of 4’000 to 16’000 ft, depending on the chosen route, they take you up close to Mt. Khangchendzonga or provide great panoramic views from a distance.
We can offer many easy nature walks in your Sikkim-itinerary if you do not want to go for a proper trek. During trekking you will always be accompanied by a qualified, local trekking-guide and the support-team including cook, assistant cook, porters and/or animal caretaker with carriage animals. On 
some trekking-routes you will be accompanied by carriage animals while on others – in areas where carriage animals are not allowed - porters will carry the equipment instead. Similarly, depending on the infrastructure available on a given trekking-route, accommodation will be either in tents or in a mix of tents and solid accommodations; lastly average altitude and the trail-quality also varies greatly from trek to trek.
To gain an impression of your options from easy day-hikes all the way to challenging expeditions check out our overview at the bottom of this page. It is best if you contact us directly so we can personally assist you in finding the best option for you.
For more information on our day-hikes, treks and expeditions as well as background-info on our local experts, teams, equipments, tour-organization and quality please visit:
Sikkim’s highest peaks...
...are considered sacred and are not open for climbing. Most of the peaks of Sikkim have remained unscaled as the Sikkimese consider them sacred and feel that they will lose their sanctity if climbed.
1. Mt.Khangchendzonga, 28208 ft., West Sikkim
2. Mt. Kabru, 24‘215 ft, West Sikkim
3. Mt. Talung, 24‘200 ft, North Sikkim
4. Mt. Siniolchu, 22‘600 ft, West Sikkim
5. Mt. Simvo, 22‘476 ft, West Sikkim
6. Mt. Pandim, 22‘010 ft, West Sikkim
7. Mt. Rathong, 21‘911 ft, West Sikkim
8. Mt. Kabru Dome, 21‘653 ft, West Sikkim
9. Mt. Kokthang, 20‘162 ft, West Sikkim
Alpine peaks open for climbing in Sikkim...
... since 2006 are challenging and suitable only for well experienced mountaineers. Furthermore to obtain the required permission is a lengthy, time-consuming process. Mountaineers are required to submit all required documents including insurance-proof and advance-payment at least six months ahead of the climb. It is also mandatory for two liason officers to accompany any foreign expedition. The most suitable time to ascend these peaks is from April to May and in September.
1. Mt Thinchenkhang, 18’380 ft, Khangchendzonga NP, West Sikkim
2. Mt. Jopuno, 19717 ft, Gochala Valley, Khangchendzonga NP, West Sikkim
3. Mt. Frey Peak, 19’127 ft, Gochala Valley, Khangchendzonga NP, West Sikkim
4. Mt. Lama Angden, 19’300 ft, Lachen, North Sikkim
5. Mt. Brumkhangtse, 18’500 ft, North Sikkim
Overview: Day-Hikes, Trekkings & Expeditions in Sikkim
| Physical Challenge | Name & Area |
Altitude in ft |
Duration | Type of overnights | • HIGHLIGHTS • FOCUS • CHARACTER • REMARKS • |
| DAY & HALF-DAY WALKS & HIKES | |||||
| easy to moderate |
village- & nature walks personally explored and selected by us in Sikkim East, West, South and North |
5’900 – max. 13’000 | 1 – 6 hrs |
homestays, basic lodges, farmhouses |
Gain deep insights into the rural way of life & Himalayan farming; walk through cardamom-plantations, past waterfalls and across terraced fields; interact with villagers, students or monchs; visit village-schools, a shaman or remote monasteries in the heart of Sikkim. |
| TREKKING up to approx. 11‘800 ft | |||||
| easy to moderate |
Lepcha Sacred Hill Tendong Sikkim South |
6’900 –8’800 |
one day, 5 hrs |
homestay or lodge | Trek through verdant, bio-diverse forest to Tendong – the hill of the raised horn. Legend has it that when the land was submerged in the great floods, the horn rose miraculously to save the people. The place was also a favourite recluse for Buddhist Lamas to meditate. Enjoy a magnificent view of the Mt Khangchendzonga, the Chola peaks, Singelila-range and the plains of Bengal. |
|
moderate |
Sacred Caves Sikkim South & West |
6’050 – 9’500 | 1 - 3 days | tent , lodge or homestay | Whether you are practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism or simply interested in visiting Sikkim's mystic sacred caves - you can benefit from our experience. Out of the four main sacred caves two of them require a 2 – 3 days trek to reach. If you wish, we can also organize for a Buddhist lama to accompany you. |
| easy to moderate |
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary Sikkim South |
7’200 – 10’500 |
in one or two days 7 – 8 hrs |
homestay or lodge | With weather-luck you can enjoy fantastic 360° panoramic view of Sikkim's Himalayas - from Mt. Khangchendzonga to the Eastern Himalayas of Tibet and Bhutan all the way to the plains of Westbengal. You may also spot rare mammals and pheasants here. Maenam-peak is marked by a little temple. A lush green canopy of untouched rhododendron magnolia forest, small bamboo and abundant flowers and orchids, moss, ferns and creepers make the trek an exciting and thrilling experience. |
| easy to moderate |
Rhododendron Trekking Sikkim West |
7’200 –11’800 | 2 – 5 days | tent | diversity of rhododendron species; jungle-trek – passes through forests of silver fir, hemlock, magnolia and rhododendron; daily panoramic views of Mt Khangchendzonga peaks from campsite; moderate altitudes throughout. |
|
easy |
Dzongu – Tholung Sikkim North |
9’500 | 4 – 6 days | tent or lodge | In the heartland of the Lepchas, Sikkim's indigenous peoples, visit through untouched jungle rich in biodiversity and dozens of waterfalls, past a remote monastery and natural pilgrimage spots await you on this remote yet easy trekking-route. We can also include various village treks. |
| TREKKING up to approx. 11‘800 - ca. 15’700 ft | |||||
| moderate |
Alp Dzongri Sikkim West |
13’500 | 4 – 5 days | lodges & tent | View of Mt Khangchendzonga just beyond tree-line; from subtropical to alpine zone |
| moderate |
Yumthang – Lachen Sikkim North |
15’600 | 5 days | tent | View towards the Tibetan plateau, mighty peaks of North-Sikkim; trek in a remote area with diverse alpine vegetation. |
| TREKKING up to approx. 18’000 ft | |||||
| moderate to challenging |
Goechela Sikkim West |
16’250 | 8 – 14 days | tent & lodges |
Sikkim's classical trekking within Khangchendzonga National Park. Close-up view of Mt. Khangchendzonga from Goechela; experience various vegetations from the subtropical to the alpine zone. The Dzongri- Goecha La Trek is the most popular trek in Sikkim and famed for great mountain views, a floral spectacle in summer, bird and views of pristine forest. |
| challenging |
Singelela – Göchela Sikkim West |
16’250 | 11 or 13 days | tent | Remote high-altitude trekking in alpine zone; enjoy pristine alpine vegetation and remote Himalayan landscape with lakes and views of the Sikkim & Nepal Himalayas. |
| moderate |
Greenlake Sikkim North |
16’240 | 8 – 11 days | tent |
Remote side-valley in alpine zone with fantastic views of North-Sikkim's mountains and glacier-worlds. The trek to Green Lake, the base of Mt. Kangchendzonga on the Zemu glacier is amongst the most enchanting in this area with a variety of flowers such as rhododendrons, primulas and blue poppies in summer. Trek to this route needs a trekking permit from Tourism Department after getting clearance from Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. Apply at least 4 months ahead of time. |
| MOUNTAINEERING & EXPEDITIONS beyond 18’000 ft | |||||
| moderate |
Mt. Chogyal Sikkim West |
19’130 | 13 – 14 days | tent | Enjoy view of Kokrung- & Rathong-peaks as well as Kumbhakarna (Jano) and the Makalu-range of Nepal from the peak. View of Mt Khangchendzonga along the way. Climb of the peak itself can be challenging due to snow and inclination of approx. 35° and loose scree on the peak. Registration 6 months prior is required. Registration 6 months ahead of time required. |
| challenging & technical |
Frey's Peak Sikkim West |
19’100 | 12 days | tent | Tough climbing is involved, mostly on rocks. Some ice-climbing is also required as the approach to the peak is through ice and glaciers. The peak is rocky, steep and partly ice-covered. Registration 6 months ahead of time required. |
| challenging & technical |
Mt. Thinchenkhan Sikkim West |
18’850 | 12 days | tent |
Technical skills such as ice-climbing and prior challenging mountaineering experience required. From the summit of this peak one can enjoy a breath taking view of some of the most beautiful mountains of Sikkim Himalayas. Mt. Pandim stands to the towering heights just in the same range where these trekking peaks rises. Just across Okhlathang Valley one can see peaks like Gochela, Rathong, Kabru sisters, Siniolchu and the mighty Khangchendzonga. Mt. Makalu in Nepal is also seen from here. Registration 6 months ahead of time required. |
| challenging & technical |
Thinchenkhan Sikkim West |
18’850 | 12 days | tent |
Technical skills such as ice-climbing and prior challenging mountaineering experience required. From the summit of this peak one can enjoy a breath taking view of some of the most beautiful mountains of Sikkim Himalayas. Mt. Pandim stands to the towering heights just in the same range where these trekking peaks rises. Just across Okhlathang Valley one can see peaks like Gochela, Rathong, Kabru sisters, Siniolchu and the mighty Khangchendzonga. Mt. Makalu in Nepal is also seen from here. Registration 6 months ahead of time required. |
| moderate to challenging & technical |
Mt. Jopuno Sikkim West |
19’717 | 12 days | tent |
Similar to Mt. Thinchenkhan with less challenging ascend. Registration 6 months ahead of time required. |
| moderate, not technical |
Brumkhangtse Sikkim North |
18’500 | 7 – 9 days | tent | This peak in Sikkim's North is considered as one of Sikkim's easy summits. However, due to its remoteness and permit-procedure, registration 6 months beforehand for international climbers is required. |
| challenging |
Lama Angden Sikkim North |
19’250 | approx. 12 days | tent | pioneer-summit from Lachen in North Sikkim. |
Tags: Sikkim, India, mountains, mountaineering, mountain hikes, hiking, Khangchendzonga, goechela Kabru, singelela, Gurudongma, Siniolchu, mountains, mountain range, mountain range, massif, mountain range, the Himalayas, Himalayas