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Best month · Pakyong and the Silk Route

Pakyong and the Silk Route in October

Zuluk 3 to 14 °C; Aritar 12 to 22 °C

Photo: Atimit Kundu · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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

The best month for views. Clear, cold mornings show the Kangchenjunga range from Thambi, Lungthung and Mankhim, and the Nathang grass begins to turn gold. Durga Puja and Diwali holidays bring crowds and higher rates, especially at Zuluk and Aritar. Permit queues at Rongli can be long on Saturdays. Book rooms and cars a month or more ahead.

Weather
Zuluk 3 to 14 °C; Aritar 12 to 22 °C
Rating
Best
Best months
Mar – May · Oct – Dec
Our tip for October

Send ID scans two days ahead so your permit is ready at Rongli.

Where to go

Our picks for October

Zuluk village Zuluk2,800M

Zuluk

The old caravan halt below the zigzag road

Best Mar – May · Oct – Dec1–2 nightsPakyong and the Silk Route
Thambi View Point viewpoint Thambi Vi…3,413M

Thambi View Point

Sunrise above the Zuluk loops, beside the 1888 Lingtu ridge

Best Apr – May · Oct – Jan0–1 nightsPakyong and the Silk Route
Nathang Valley valley Nathang V…3,750M

Nathang Valley

A high yak valley where the 1888 campaign was decided

Best Apr – May · Oct – Nov0–1 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

Packages

Trips at their best in October

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 October

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

The best month for views. Clear, cold mornings show the Kangchenjunga range from Thambi, Lungthung and Mankhim, and the Nathang grass begins to turn gold. Durga Puja and Diwali holidays bring crowds and higher rates, especially at Zuluk and Aritar. Permit queues at Rongli can be long on Saturdays. Book rooms and cars a month or more ahead.

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

Zuluk 3 to 14 °C; Aritar 12 to 22 °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 October?

We suggest Zuluk, Thambi View Point, Nathang Valley, Mankhim. Send ID scans two days ahead so your permit is ready at Rongli.

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