From first message to the drive back down
How we work
No payment to start, a written quote with every cost listed, permits handled through registered partners, and one person to call while you travel.
You tell us dates, people and budget. Within one working day we send a day-by-day plan and an itemised price. You change what you like, pay a deposit to book, and we confirm every room, car and permit in writing.
Six steps
What happens when
You tell us the basics
Dates (or a month), how many people and their ages, roughly what you want to spend, and anything you already know you want: Gurudongmar, a homestay, a monastery festival. A form, an email or a WhatsApp message all work.
We send a plan and a price
Within one working day: a day-by-day route with drive times and altitudes, the named hotels or homestays, the car, every permit and fee, and our planning fee as its own line.
You change it until it fits
Move up or down a tier, add a night, swap a district. Each change comes back with a new itemised price, so you can see what it costs.
You book with a deposit
Accept the quote in writing and pay the deposit. We confirm every service in writing. The payments policy sets out when the balance is due.
We arrange the permits
Protected areas such as Tsomgo, Nathu La, the Silk Route and North Sikkim need permits issued through Sikkim Tourism-registered agents. We apply through registered partners, usually a day ahead, with the ID and photos we ask you for. Foreign nationals apply for their own Restricted Area Permit online on e-FRRO; we tell you how. Check current status before you travel.
You travel with one person to call
Your driver meets you at Bagdogra or NJP. If a road closes or a pass shuts, we reroute you and tell you what it changes, including the price.
Four ways to travel
Pick the comfort, keep the route
Every package comes at one of four levels. You can move any of them up or down.
Shared jeep and homestays
Clean budget hotels and family homestays, shared or small cars, breakfast and often dinner. The way most people in Sikkim travel.
Your own car, good 3-star rooms
A private small car and driver, reliable mid-range hotels and the better homestays. The best price-to-comfort ratio.
Private SUV, the best mid-range stays
An Innova or Xylo-class SUV, resorts with views and heating, slower days and a few set pieces.
Top hotels, private everything
Sikkim's finest hotels, private guides, the best rooms with Kangchenjunga views and the most comfortable vehicles.
What you can hold us to
Our working rules
Prices are indicative until quoted
Website prices are "from" prices per person, twin sharing. Your written quote is the offer, valid for the days it states.
Facts that change are flagged
Permits, fees, road openings and festival dates move every year. We say so on every page and check again before you travel.
Stories come with sources
We name the book, article or institution behind each story, or say "as told locally". We never invent legends.
Photos are credited
Every photograph comes from Wikimedia Commons under a free licence, with its author named on our photo credits page.
No made-up praise
We do not publish reviews, ratings or client numbers we cannot show you. Ask us for references instead.
Your data stays with the trip
We share only what a hotel, driver or permit office needs. See the privacy policy.
On this site today: 48 packages, 92 places and 60 guides across 6 districts.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What does Sikkim Escapes do?
We plan trips in Sikkim only, from shared-jeep budget escapes and village homestays to private comfort and premium tours. We handle permits through registered partners, book the cars and rooms, and give you one person to call from Bagdogra or NJP until you are back on the plains.
Are your package prices fixed?
No. Prices on the site are indicative 'from' prices in INR per person, twin sharing, and each package shows how the price breaks down. The final quote depends on dates, group size, room category and availability. We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything.
How cheap can a Sikkim trip be?
A Gangtok weekend with shared jeeps and a budget hotel can cost under ₹10,000 per person from NJP. A 5–6 night trip with North Sikkim usually starts around ₹13,000–20,000 per person on a budget. Our Affordable section lists every package by price band, with the real costs of jeeps, rooms and permits.
Do you arrange permits for North Sikkim, Nathu La and the Silk Route?
Yes. These permits are issued only through Sikkim Tourism-registered agents and vehicles, and we apply through registered partners with your ID and photos, usually a day ahead. Nathu La and the Silk Route are for Indian nationals only. Rules change often, so check current status before you travel.
Can foreigners travel with you?
Yes, with limits. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit (now online through e-FRRO) to enter Sikkim, and can visit some protected areas such as Tsomgo and Lachung–Yumthang in groups of two or more. Nathu La, Gurudongmar and Zuluk are closed to foreigners. Check current status before you travel.
Can you change a package?
Yes, and most people do. The packages on the site show routes that work. We change hotels, add nights, move up or down a tier, or combine districts, then send a new day-by-day plan with the new price.
Get my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
- No payment to start
- Permits handled through registered partners
- Every hotel, car and fee listed