Six districts · one small state
Where in Sikkim
Sikkim is about 115 km north to south, yet it climbs from roughly 280 m in the Teesta and Rangeet valleys to 8,586 m at Kangchenjunga. Each district has its own season, its own permits and its own people.
For high lakes, snow and yak country go north. For Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La, the east. For Kangchenjunga views, monasteries and the Goecha La trail, the west. For tea, warm valleys and easy family days, the south. Pakyong holds the Old Silk Route above Zuluk, and Soreng the Barsey rhododendron forest.
East Sikkim
Sikkim's capital, monasteries and the Nathu La road
North Sikkim
Yak pastures, Lepcha villages and lakes above 5,000 m
West Sikkim
Where Sikkim's kingdom began
South Sikkim
Big statues, tea, hot springs and village homestays
Pakyong and the Silk Route
River valleys, caravan villages and the Zuluk loops
Soreng
Farm villages, rhododendron ridges and Kangchenjunga views
Sikkim reorganised from four districts to six in December 2021: Pakyong was carved from East Sikkim and Soreng from West Sikkim, and the old four were renamed Gangtok, Mangan, Gyalshing and Namchi. Most travellers still say North, East, West and South Sikkim, so we use both names.
Side by side
The districts compared
East Sikkim
Gangtok district · HQ GangtokEast Sikkim, officially Gangtok district since 2021, is where almost every Sikkim trip begins: the capital Gangtok at 1,650 m, the monasteries of Rumtek, Enchey and Lingdum, village stays in Martam, and the permit road up to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathu La at …
Start with: Gangtok · Martam · Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir · Cho La
The East Sikkim guideNorth Sikkim
Mangan district · HQ ManganNorth Sikkim, officially Mangan district, is Sikkim's largest and emptiest district: Lepcha villages in Dzongu, the self-governing Bhutia villages of Lachung and Lachen, Yumthang's rhododendron valley and Gurudongmar Lake near the Tibet border. Go October–November or April–May, with permits, a registered agent and at least …
Start with: Lachung · Lachen · Dzongu · Chopta Valley
The North Sikkim guideWest Sikkim
Gyalshing district · HQ GyalshingWest Sikkim, now Gyalshing district, is where the Sikkim kingdom was founded at Yuksom in 1642. Base yourself in Pelling (2,150 m) for Kangchenjunga views, Pemayangtse and the Rabdentse ruins, then go on to Yuksom, Khecheopalri Lake, Tashiding and the Goecha La trail. Plan 3–5 …
Start with: Pelling · Yuksom · Dzongri and Goecha La · Hee Bermiok
The West Sikkim guideSouth Sikkim
Namchi district · HQ NamchiSouth Sikkim, officially Namchi district, is the lowest, mildest and easiest part of Sikkim to travel. It holds the state's big pilgrim monuments at Namchi and Ravangla, Sikkim's only tea estate at Temi, winter hot springs and community homestays. No permits are needed for Indians, …
Start with: Ravangla · Namchi · Kewzing · Borong
The South Sikkim guidePakyong and the Silk Route
Pakyong district · HQ PakyongPakyong district, carved from East Sikkim in 2021, runs from the Teesta at Rangpo (about 330 m) to the Jelep La ridge above Kupup (about 4,000 m). It holds the Old Silk Route: Aritar's lake, Rongli's permit office, Zuluk's zigzag road and Nathang's yak meadows. …
Start with: Zuluk · Aritar · Nathang Valley · Padamchen
The Pakyong and the Silk Route guideSoreng
Soreng district · HQ SorengSoreng district, carved from West Sikkim in December 2021, is Sikkim's south-west corner: the Rinchenpong–Kaluk ridge facing Kangchenjunga, the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary above the Sherpa village of Okhrey, and Limbu, Lepcha and Nepali farm villages. No special permit for Indians, homestays from about ₹1,200, best …
Start with: Hilley · Okhrey · Rinchenpong · Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
The Soreng guideMonth by month
When each district is at its best
A planning guide, not a promise. Roads, passes and permits change every year: check current status before you travel.
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