Gangtok
Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Gangtok
- Tsomgo Lake
- Nathu La
- Gangtok
Price on request
3N / 4D · East Sikkim & the Old Silk Route
The Old Silk Route: Aritar, Zuluk & Nathang
The trip we are named after: up the old trade road to Tibet, a night in a Zuluk homestay, and sunrise at Thambi with Kanchenjunga above the hairpin loops.
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Aritar
- Zuluk
- Thambi
- Nathang
- Kupup
- NJP
- Duration
- 3 nights / 4 days
- Starts & ends
- NJP / Bagdogra (round trip)
- Highest point
- about 13,500 ft (Nathang valley)
- Best months
- Mar – May, Oct – Jan
- Good for
- High altitude & adventure, Nature & quiet stays
- Price
- On request — quoted for your dates
Highlights
- Lampokhari Lake at Aritar on the way up
- The famous zigzag road below Zuluk
- Sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Thambi viewpoint
- The Nathang valley, Kupup and the Old Baba Mandir
Day by day
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Day 1: NJP / Bagdogra to Aritar
We meet you on arrival and drive into East Sikkim to Aritar, a lakeside village at a comfortable altitude. An evening walk round Lampokhari Lake.
-
Day 2: Aritar to Zuluk
Via Rongli, where permits are checked, and up the old trade road to Zuluk at about 10,000 ft. Afternoon to rest and settle into the homestay.
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Day 3: Thambi sunrise, Nathang & Kupup
Out before dawn to Thambi viewpoint for the sunrise over Kanchenjunga and the loops below. Then the Nathang valley, Kupup’s Elephant Lake and the Old Baba Mandir, and back down to Zuluk.
-
Day 4: Zuluk to NJP / Bagdogra
Down the zigzags one last time and on to NJP or Bagdogra.
Usually included
- Homestay accommodation at Aritar and Zuluk, on twin sharing
- All meals at the Zuluk homestay; breakfast and dinner at Aritar
- A private vehicle permitted for the Silk Route
- Restricted-area permits applied for by us
- Pick-up and drop at NJP or Bagdogra
Not included
- Train and air fares
- Entrance, camera and guide fees, and parking
- Lunch, drinks, tips, laundry and other personal expenses
- Vehicle use or sightseeing outside the itinerary, and add-ons such as Zero Point or Nathu La unless listed
- Extra costs from landslides, road closures, strikes or flight changes
- Travel insurance and room-heater charges
Every quote lists exactly what is included for your trip, in writing, before you confirm.
Permits
What sets the price
We do not publish a fixed price, because the same itinerary costs very differently in May and in February, in a standard room and a mountain-view suite. Your quote depends on:
- SeasonSpring, autumn and holidays cost more than the quiet months.
- Hotel categoryStandard, deluxe or premium, and whether rooms face the view.
- VehicleSedan, SUV or a larger vehicle for groups; reserved or shared.
- Group sizeMore travellers share the vehicle and lower the cost per head.
- Add-onsZero Point, Nathu La, the toy train or a guide where needed.
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