South Sikkim · Road guide
Gangtok to Namchi
Gangtok to Namchi is about 78 km and 3–3.5 hours, down NH10 to Singtam and then south-west through the hills via Temi or Damthang. No permit is needed for Indians. Shared jeeps run through the day, and many travellers make it a sightseeing day with stops at Temi tea garden.
Photo: Prof Ranga Sai · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Your options
How to make the trip
Shared jeep
3–3.5 h · ≈ ₹250–350 a seat
Shared jeeps for Namchi leave from Gangtok's taxi stand for the south and west districts through the morning and early afternoon. Seats fill fast in peak months, so buy your ticket early or a day ahead. Jeeps take 8–10 passengers with luggage on the roof. Fares are indicative; check current status before you travel.
Private car
3–3.5 h direct, 6–7 h with sightseeing · ≈ ₹3,500–4,500 small car; ₹4,500–6,000 SUV, one way
A reserved car lets you stop at Temi tea garden, Tendong Hill's Damthang trailhead or Ravangla on the way, turning the transfer into a full sightseeing day. Agree the route and stops with your driver before setting off, since the Temi and Ravangla roads differ. Expect to pay parking and entry fees separately at each stop.
Fares are indicative. Landslides, snow and check-post timings change journeys: check current status before you travel.
On the way
Stops worth the time
- Singtam bazaar
- Temi Tea Garden
- Damthang (Tendong Hill trailhead)
- Ravangla Buddha Park (longer route)
Leave Gangtok by 9 am if you want to stop at Temi or Ravangla and still reach Namchi in daylight.
Questions travellers ask
Gangtok to Namchi: questions
How far is Namchi from Gangtok?
About 78 km by road, usually 3 to 3.5 hours without long stops. The route runs down NH10 to Singtam, then climbs through the hills towards Temi or Damthang. In the monsoon, landslide clearing can add time. Check current status before you travel.
Is there a shared jeep from Gangtok to Namchi?
Yes. Shared jeeps leave Gangtok through the morning and early afternoon for about ₹250–350 a seat, indicative. Departures thin out after about 2 pm. In peak months, from April to June and October to December, buy a ticket early in the day or the day before.
Can we visit Temi tea garden on the way to Namchi?
Yes, in a reserved car. Temi lies on one of the two main roads between Gangtok and Namchi, so a stop of an hour or so adds little driving. A small car for the day with a Temi stop costs about ₹4,000–5,000. Shared jeeps do not wait for sightseeing.
Do we need a permit to travel from Gangtok to Namchi?
Indian nationals need no permit. Foreign nationals need only the standard Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, applied online through the e-FRRO portal since January 2026; no protected-area permit is required for South Sikkim. Check current status before you travel. Carry photo ID on the road.
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.
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