Pakyong and the Silk Route on a budget

Silk Route from Gangtok on a budget, 3 nights

3 nights, 4 daysBalanced

Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹10,000

Old Silk Route on a budget, 3 nights from NJP

3 nights, 4 daysBalanced

Padamchen · Zuluk · Nathang Valley

From, per person₹10,500

Silk Route winter snow trip, 4 nights

4 nights, 5 daysBalanced

Padamchen · Zuluk · Nathang Valley

From, per person₹14,000

Gangtok and the Silk Route on a budget, 5N

5 nights, 6 daysBalanced

Gangtok · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹15,500

Silk Route family trip, 4 nights

4 nights, 5 daysEasy

Aritar · Padamchen · Zuluk

From, per person₹16,000

Full Silk Route loop on a budget, 6 nights

6 nights, 7 daysBalanced

Aritar · Padamchen · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Gangtok

From, per person₹18,000

Value Top1,980M

Pakyong villages: Aritar, Mankhim and Rolep, 4N

4 nights, 5 daysEasy

Aritar · Mankhim · Rolep

From, per person₹19,500

Gangtok and the Silk Route, 5 nights

5 nights, 6 daysBalanced

Gangtok · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹26,500

Silk Route photography trip, 5 nights

5 nights, 6 daysActive

Padamchen · Zuluk · Thambi View Point · Nathang Valley

From, per person₹26,500

Silk Route to Gangtok via Kupup and Tsomgo, 5N

5 nights, 6 daysBalanced

Aritar · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Gangtok

From, per person₹27,000

Work out your own trip cost

Pelling, Gangtok and the Silk Route, 8 nights

8 nights, 9 daysBalanced

Pelling · Gangtok · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹37,500

Real costs

What things cost in Pakyong and the Silk Route

Indicative 2026 fares and rates, place by place. They change with season and fuel prices: check current status before you travel.

Shared jeep Gangtok to RhenockAritar: ≈ ₹250–400 a seat
Homestay with mealsAritar: ≈ ₹1,500–2,500 per person a night
Lakeside resort roomAritar: ≈ ₹4,000–6,000 a night
Lampokhari boat rideAritar: ≈ ₹100–300 per person (check at the counter)
Meal (thali)Aritar: ≈ ₹150–250
Restricted-area permit via agentKupup: ≈ ₹200–500 per person
Reserved SUV Gangtok–Tsomgo–Kupup and backKupup: ≈ ₹5,500–7,500 per vehicle
SUV Silk Route circuit, 3 days from GangtokKupup: ≈ ₹16,000–20,000 per vehicle
Hot tea or noodles at a roadside stallKupup: ≈ ₹50–150
Silk Route permit via RongliLingtam: ≈ ₹200–500 per person through an agent
Homestay with mealsLingtam: ≈ ₹1,200–1,700 per person a night
Shared jeep Gangtok to RongliLingtam: ≈ ₹200–300 a seat
Local vehicle Rongli to LingtamLingtam: ≈ ₹500–1,000 per car
Tea and snacksLingtam: ≈ ₹100–200
Local car Aritar to Mankhim and backMankhim: ≈ ₹800–1,500
Homestay near Mankhim, with mealsMankhim: ≈ ₹1,500–2,500 per person
Local guide for a walk downMankhim: ≈ ₹300–600
EntryMankhim: Free; small donation welcome
Silk Route permit via RongliNathang Valley: ≈ ₹200–500 per person through an agent
Homestay with all mealsNathang Valley: ≈ ₹1,300–2,000 per person a night
SUV Gangtok–Zuluk–Nathang–Gangtok, 3 daysNathang Valley: ≈ ₹16,000–20,000 per vehicle
Shared SUV seat on a 3-day Silk Route tourNathang Valley: ≈ ₹5,000–7,000 per person, stays extra
Tea and noodlesNathang Valley: ≈ ₹80–150
Silk Route permit via RongliPadamchen: ≈ ₹200–500 per person through an agent
Homestay with dinner and breakfastPadamchen: ≈ ₹1,200–1,800 per person a night
Shared jeep Gangtok to RongliPadamchen: ≈ ₹200–300 a seat
Reserved car per day, Silk RoutePadamchen: ≈ ₹4,500–6,000 (small car); SUV more
Tea and momosPadamchen: ≈ ₹100–200
Shared jeep Gangtok–PakyongPakyong: ≈ ₹80–150 a seat
Reserved small car Gangtok–PakyongPakyong: ≈ ₹1,500–2,000 one way
Budget room in townPakyong: ≈ ₹1,500–2,500 a night
Vivanta SikkimPakyong: ≈ ₹9,000–16,000 a room a night
Momos and tea in the bazaarPakyong: ≈ ₹100–200
Shared jeep Gangtok to RangpoRangpo: ≈ ₹150–250 a seat
Shared jeep Siliguri to RangpoRangpo: ≈ ₹250–400 a seat
Budget roomRangpo: ≈ ₹1,200–2,200 a night
Reserved small car Rangpo to AritarRangpo: ≈ ₹2,500–3,500
Meal (thali)Rangpo: ≈ ₹120–220
Shared jeep Gangtok to RhenockRhenock: ≈ ₹250–400 a seat
Budget room in RhenockRhenock: ≈ ₹1,000–2,000 a night
Reserved small car Gangtok to RhenockRhenock: ≈ ₹3,500–4,500 one way
Taxi Rhenock to AritarRhenock: ≈ ₹500–1,000 per car
Thali or momosRhenock: ≈ ₹120–250
Homestay with mealsRolep: ≈ ₹1,300–2,000 per person a night
Reserved small car from GangtokRolep: ≈ ₹4,000–5,500 one way
Shared jeep to Rongli areaRolep: ≈ ₹200–300 a seat
Local guide for a half dayRolep: ≈ ₹300–600
Meal (home thali)Rolep: Included with stay
Silk Route permitRongli: ≈ ₹200–500 per person through an agent
Shared jeep Gangtok to RongliRongli: ≈ ₹200–300 a seat
Budget room in RongliRongli: ≈ ₹1,000–2,000 a night
Reserved small car Gangtok to RongliRongli: ≈ ₹3,500–5,000 one way
Meal (thali)Rongli: ≈ ₹120–220
Shared jeep Gangtok to RorathangRorathang: ≈ ₹150–300 a seat
Reserved small car Gangtok to RorathangRorathang: ≈ ₹3,000–4,000 one way
Budget room (if you must)Rorathang: ≈ ₹1,000–2,000 a night
Tea and momosRorathang: ≈ ₹100–250
Taxi Rorathang to RongliRorathang: ≈ ₹1,000–1,800 per car
Sunrise trip from ZulukThambi View Point: ≈ ₹1,500–2,000 per vehicle if not in package
Silk Route permit via RongliThambi View Point: ≈ ₹200–500 per person through an agent
Lungthung homestay with mealsThambi View Point: ≈ ₹1,300–2,000 per person a night
Tea at a seasonal stallThambi View Point: ≈ ₹30–50 a cup
Silk Route permit via RongliZuluk: ≈ ₹200–500 per person through an agent
Homestay with all mealsZuluk: ≈ ₹1,200–1,800 per person a night
SUV Gangtok–Zuluk–Nathang–Gangtok, 3 daysZuluk: ≈ ₹16,000–20,000 per vehicle
Shared jeep Gangtok–RongliZuluk: ≈ ₹200–300 a seat
Tea and momos at a roadside shopZuluk: ≈ ₹100–200

Permits

Permit costs and rules

The upper Silk Route beyond Rongli, including Lingtam, Padamchen, Zuluk, Thambi View Point, Nathang and Kupup, is a protected area open to Indian nationals only. The permit is processed at Rongli for named people, dates and a vehicle, usually through a registered agent, driver or homestay; carry original photo ID, copies and two passport photos. Foreign nationals, including OCI holders, are not allowed beyond Rongli, but Aritar, Mankhim, Rhenock, Rorathang, Rangpo and Pakyong town need only the general Sikkim entry permit. For Rolep, ask us. Check current status before you travel.

Permit checker

Where to sleep cheaply

Budget and value stays

Homestays

≈ ₹1,200–1,800 per person a night with all meals (indicative)

Zuluk village homestays

Homestay villageZuluk

Family-run homestays in Zuluk, the old overnight stop for Silk Route mule caravans at about 2,800 m. Simple rooms, thick quilts, home-cooked dal-bhat and …

Homestay villageNathang Valley

Nathang Valley homestays

A handful of family homestays in Gnathang, a small high village of yak herders and army neighbours at about 3,750 m. The coldest and …

≈ ₹1,300–2,000 per person a night with all meals (indicative)

Homestay villagePadamchen

Padamchen village homestays

Quiet forest-edge homestays at Padamchen, about 2,200 m, between Lingtam and Zuluk. A good first night on the Silk Route for families who want …

≈ ₹1,200–1,800 per person a night with all meals (indicative)

≈ ₹1,200–1,700 per person a night with all meals (indicative)

Lingtam village homestays

Homestay villageLingtam

Farmhouse homestays in Lingtam, a warm village at about 1,400 m just above Rongli, where cardamom, maize and vegetables grow around the houses. The …

≈ ₹1,300–2,000 per person a night with all meals (indicative)

Rolep riverside homestays

Homestay villageRolep

Village homestays at Rolep, a farming hamlet at about 1,200 m on the upper Rangpo river, around 20 km beyond Rongli. River sounds, terraced …