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Best month · Pakyong and the Silk Route

Pakyong and the Silk Route in April

Zuluk 4 to 15 °C; Aritar 13 to 24 °C

Photo: Rajani Gairshail · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Yes: April is one of the best months for Pakyong and the Silk Route

Rhododendron month on the Silk Route. Red, pink and white blooms climb from about 2,200 m at Padamchen to above Zuluk and Thambi, and birds are active in the Pangolakha forests. Haze softens the mountain views, but days are mild everywhere. From the Baisakh full moon, usually in late April or May, the Rai community gathers on Mankhim hill for Sakewa. Weekends get busy with families from Bengal, so book Zuluk early.

Weather
Zuluk 4 to 15 °C; Aritar 13 to 24 °C
Rating
Best
Best months
Mar – May · Oct – Dec
Our tip for April

Ask your homestay to arrange a dawn forest walk around Padamchen for birds and flowers.

Where to go

Our picks for April

Padamchen village Padamchen2,200M

Padamchen

Forest village halfway up the Old Silk Route

Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov1 nightsPakyong and the Silk Route
Zuluk village Zuluk2,800M

Zuluk

The old caravan halt below the zigzag road

Best Mar – May · Oct – Dec1–2 nightsPakyong and the Silk Route
Mankhim pilgrimage site Mankhim1,980M

Mankhim

Kirat Rai temple on a ridge above Aritar

Best Mar – May · Oct – Nov0–1 nightsPakyong and the Silk Route
Lingtam village Lingtam1,500M

Lingtam

Warm river village just above Rongli

Best Oct – Apr1 nightsPakyong and the Silk Route

Festivals

On the calendar in April

Sakewa at Mankhim Kirat Khambu Rai

Sakewa at Mankhim

Sakewa is the great earth-worship festival of the Kirat Khambu Rai. On Mankhim hill above Aritar, the Rai community gathers at its …

Apr–May, from the Baisakh full moon (Ubhauli); …Mankhim

Most festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move each year. Ask us for the date in the year you travel.

Packages

Trips at their best in April

Aritar weekend: lake, Mankhim and villages Budget Top1,980M

Aritar weekend: lake, Mankhim and villages

2 nights, 3 daysEasy

Aritar

From, per person₹6,500
Pakyong villages: Aritar, Mankhim and Rolep, 4N Value Top1,980M

Pakyong villages: Aritar, Mankhim and Rolep, 4N

4 nights, 5 daysEasy

Aritar · Mankhim · Rolep

From, per person₹19,500
Budget Top1,980M

Rolep riverside village stay, 3 nights

3 nights, 4 daysEasy

Rolep

From, per person₹9,000
Silk Route from Gangtok on a budget, 3 nights Budget Top4,100M

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 Budget Top4,100M

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 family trip, 4 nights Value Top4,100M

Silk Route family trip, 4 nights

4 nights, 5 daysEasy

Aritar · Padamchen · Zuluk

From, per person₹16,000
Gangtok and the Silk Route, 5 nights Value Top4,100M

Gangtok and the Silk Route, 5 nights

5 nights, 6 daysBalanced

Gangtok · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹26,500
Gangtok and the Silk Route on a budget, 5N Budget Top4,100M

Gangtok and the Silk Route on a budget, 5N

5 nights, 6 daysBalanced

Gangtok · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹15,500
Pelling, Gangtok and the Silk Route, 8 nights Value Top4,100M

Pelling, Gangtok and the Silk Route, 8 nights

8 nights, 9 daysBalanced

Pelling · Gangtok · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Aritar

From, per person₹37,500
Full Silk Route loop on a budget, 6 nights Budget Top4,100M

Full Silk Route loop on a budget, 6 nights

6 nights, 7 daysBalanced

Aritar · Padamchen · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Gangtok

From, per person₹18,000
Silk Route to Gangtok via Kupup and Tsomgo, 5N Value Top4,100M

Silk Route to Gangtok via Kupup and Tsomgo, 5N

5 nights, 6 daysBalanced

Aritar · Zuluk · Nathang Valley · Gangtok

From, per person₹27,000

Questions travellers ask

Pakyong and the Silk Route in April

Is April a good time to visit Pakyong and the Silk Route?

Rhododendron month on the Silk Route. Red, pink and white blooms climb from about 2,200 m at Padamchen to above Zuluk and Thambi, and birds are active in the Pangolakha forests. Haze softens the mountain views, but days are mild everywhere. From the Baisakh full moon, usually in late April or May, the Rai community gathers on Mankhim hill for Sakewa. Weekends get busy with families from Bengal, so book Zuluk early.

What is the weather like in Pakyong and the Silk Route in April?

Zuluk 4 to 15 °C; Aritar 13 to 24 °C. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.

Where should we go in Pakyong and the Silk Route in April?

We suggest Padamchen, Zuluk, Mankhim, Lingtam. Ask your homestay to arrange a dawn forest walk around Padamchen for birds and flowers.

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