In the heart of India lies Delhi. What if I tell you that you can travel to one of your best road trips from Delhi to Sikkim. In the streets of Delhi, you can set out on an unforgettable journey to explore the beauty of the state of Sikkim. Join me as I travel through the vast land of the country, from the urban noises of the city of Delhi to the peaceful mountains of the northeast.
In this blog, I cover the best Delhi to Sikkim Road Trip options. With your bags packed and excitement in the air, get ready for your Sikkim Road Trip as you bid farewell to the streets of Delhi and hit the open road. The journey ahead promises countless adventures and amazing Himalayan views, as you set out on the road trip of a lifetime.
How To Reach Sikkim From Delhi by Road? – Delhi to Sikkim Road
The route from Delhi to Sikkim offers you quite a scenic journey, passing through multiple states and terrains. Here’s an elaboration of the route for a road trip from Delhi to Sikkim:
1. Delhi to Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Your journey begins in Delhi, the capital city of India. From here, you head eastward into the state of Uttar Pradesh. The initial stretch may involve navigating through Delhi’s traffic and reaching the outskirts of the city, where highways lead towards Uttar Pradesh.
So basically, the first day of your Delhi to Sikkim Road Trip begins from the capital. If you ride efficiently, you will easily reach Uttar Pradesh by the end of the day and if you wish you may rest for the night in a motel, or if you can shuffle the driver’s seat, I would suggest to continue with the ride and take the stop directly at Kolkata.
2. Uttar Pradesh to Bihar
As you proceed further east, you enter the state of Uttar Pradesh and continue towards Bihar. This leg of the journey often involves driving on well-maintained national highways. Today you will be passing through cities and towns such as Varanasi, Allahabad, and Patna.
Uttar Pradesh to Bihar is the second part of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip and this stretch is not a long one. The highways you will drive on are quite well maintained and clean. If driven efficiently, you will easily cross Bihar in a few hours.
3. Bihar to West Bengal
Upon entering Bihar, you continue towards its eastern border with West Bengal. The road network in Bihar may vary in quality, but major highways facilitate smooth travel. Crossing into West Bengal, the landscape begins to change, with greenery and rolling hills becoming more visible.
Also, you have two options from Bihar.
Option 1 – Through Siliguri
You can travel to Siliguri which facilitates the travel to North-Eastern India. This is going to be a drive that would save you a few hundred kilometers. Siliguri is the city in West Bengal which connects you to the North-Eastern Hill Stations.
Option 2 – Through Kolkata
I would, however, prefer taking a break in Kolkata before you set out any further. Due to the strenuous driving, your body would need some rest before it could travel further. I thus suggest to take a few days break, or even a single day break if your time span permits. This would allow you to travel to Sikkim with a fresh mind.
Also, you can refer to Kolkata to Sikkim Road Trip blog on my page if you need more information about how to reach Sikkim from Kolkata.
Traveling From Delhi To Kolkata By Road
To summarize the above journey, if you opt for the route to Sikkim via Delhi, you have two options.
Option-1 via Yamuna Expressway passing through Lucknow-Etawah-Kanpur-Prayagraj-Varanasi-Dhanbad-Durgapur-Kolkata
This route takes you from Delhi to Kolkata via the newly built Yamuna Expressway and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway which crosses through cities like Etawah, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Dhanbad and Durgapur before entering Kolkata.
Note: Etawah takes you through the NH 19.
Delhi – Yamuna Expressway (YEW) – Agra – Agra-Lucknow-Expressway (ALE) – Lucknow – Etawah (NH19) – Kanpur – Prayagraj – Varanasi – Dhanbad – Durgapur – Kolkata
Option-2 via Agra-Lucknow Expressway passing through Lucknow-Raebareli-Varanasi-Dhanbad-Durgapur-Kolkata
On this route, you follow the same road till Lucknow, i.e. you travel from Delhi to Kolkata via the newly built Yamuna Expressway and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
You will have to further take the National Highway 30 to reach Varanasi from Raebareli and follow the same route onwards, passing through cities like Varanasi, Dhanbad and Durgapur before entering Kolkata.
Delhi – Yamuna Expressway (YEW) – Agra – Agra-Lucknow-Expressway (ALE) – Lucknow – Raebareli (NH30) – Varanasi – Dhanbad – Durgapur – Kolkata
Note: This route has a single-lane road from Raebareli to Prayagraj.
Important Note: There are almost no hotels on Highway. However you may find a few if you take a detour for 5-7 minutes.
4. West Bengal to Siliguri
You then proceed towards Siliguri, a major city in West Bengal situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. The journey from Bihar to Siliguri may involve driving through scenic tea estates and forests, with the majestic Himalayan range looming in the distance.
5. Siliguri to Gangtok (Sikkim)
From Siliguri, the route ascends into the state of Sikkim, with roads traveling upwards on the mountainous terrain. Your journey to Sikkim from Delhi will come to its first stop in Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, situated in the lap of the Greater Himalayas.
The final stretch from Siliguri to Gangtok will take away all your tiredness with some amazing views of mountain valleys, Teesta river, and some green, forested slopes.
The hundreds of kilometers you would have covered so far, are going to then show you their worth. Once in Gangtok, find a good hotel and give your body the rest it deserves.
6. Optional Route via Kalimpong
If you are traveling through Siliguri, you may also opt for a tour via Kalimpong.
Kalimpong is a charming hill station in West Bengal which comes on the way while going to Gangtok. The benefit of traveling on this route is that this route offers additional scenic beauty and opportunities for you to explore some great attractions before continuing towards Sikkim.
Day-Wise Itinerary of Delhi to Sikkim Road Trip
Below is your day-wise itinerary of Delhi to Sikkim Road Trip to make your planning process easier:
Day 1: Beginning Of Your Road Trip From Delhi
On the first day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip, you begin your journey from the capital of the country. Make sure to get your engines checked and repaired before you set out on this long drive to the other end of the sub-continent. The road trip begins through one of the best expressways of India, the Yamuna Expressway.
The route has been mentioned above. You can follow any of the above routes to finally reach Bengal. I would suggest to rest wherever possible for a smooth and a comfortable journey.
Day 2: Continuing With The Drive To West Bengal
After proper rest and adequate stops, reach Kolkata by the second day of your journey and find a good hotel to spend the night over. You body would feel less dizzy if given proper rest. The second day concludes in Kolkata.
However, if you want to travel directly to Siliguri, you may save a day.
Day 3: Traveling From Kolkata to Siliguri
On the third day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip, you will be traveling to Siliguri. The condition of the roads would be good and if you do not waste much time, you can arrive to Siliguri by the time the sun would set.
Find a hotel to spend the night over at Siliguri. The next day, you will be traveling to Gangtok.
Day 4: Arrival in Gangtok
On the fourth day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip, you set out early for Gangtok. Checkout from Siliguri and set for Gangtok early in the morning to reach Gangtok early. The total drive time will be around 4-5 hours if you take a break.
After several days on the road, you finally arrive in Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. Situated in the lap of the Greater Himalayas, Gangtok welcomes you with its cool mountain air and colorful culture. You can check into a cozy guesthouse and you can set out to explore the MG road in the evening.
I also suggest you to take adequate rest and acclimatize in the city to avoid AMS You can also read the blog on getting the best experience of Sikkim.
Day 5: Exploring Gangtok
On the fifth day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip, you will be exploring the city and covering all the major sightseeing points. The Sikkim category on my website has got articles on all the points that you can cover while in Sikkim. You can refer to that as well.
Also make sure to apply for your permits to travel to East and North Sikkim. These places require permits because of their location which is in close proximity with the international borders.
Day 6: Exploring East Sikkim – Nathu La Pass, Baba Harbhajan Mandir and Tsomgo Lake
On day 6 of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip you will be traveling to snow covered paths to reach Nathu La Pass in the East Sikkim. This is going to be an amazing day. You have to get your permits ready a day prior to your travel to the place.
The Nathula Pass is open for visitors five days a week – Wednesday to Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. So make sure to plan your trip in such a way that the sixth day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip does not fall on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Are Private Vehicles Allowed In Nathu La?
Yes, with proper permits, private vehicles are allowed in Nathu La. However, I suggest to rent a local car from Gangtok to have a hassle-free experience of driving to Nathu La. There are speculations that only SUVs are allowed to be driven to Nathula Pass. However, the authenticity of the news is not a 100%, still, it is better to be safe than sorry.
How Can I Issue A Pass to Nathu La?
Only Indian nationals with valid permits can visit the Nathula Pass. This permit can be obtained by applying to the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. It is produced by the Sikkim Tourism Department in Gangtok. You can also request a registered tour agency or a hotel to help you through the procedure and get the permit.
What documents are required for Sikkim permit?
What you need to do to get a permit issued for Sikkim is to submit a photo ID proof along with two passport-sized photographs. The charges will be informed to you by the agency and a minimum of 24 hours is required to get the permit.
Once done with Nathu La, travel to Baba Mandir and Tsomgo Lake. After covering the three major hotspots of East Sikkim, return to Gangtok and rest.
Day 7: Journey to North Sikkim – Waterfalls And Tunnels
On the seventh day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip, you will be traveling to North Sikkim. The journey will cost you an entire day. You will reach Lachen by night.
The journey to North Sikkim will be through a number of waterfalls, bridges and mountain tunnels. You are surely going to enjoy each bit of your journey to the place. Once in Lachen, check into a good lodge and take rest. Also set your alarm for early morning the next day.
Day 8: Discovering Lachen – Gurudongmar Lake
Wake up by 4:30 in the morning and after having freshened up, go out to see the rising sun over snow capped mountains. The eighth day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip, is going to be the most beautiful one. You can refer to my blog on Gurudongmar Lake as well to gain more insights upon the highest lake of India.
Can I travel to Gurudongmar Lake in my personal car?
Hatchbacks and Sedans do not get permits easily to travel to higher regions in Sikkim. As long as you are in a XUV or SUV, I do not thing you will have much trouble in getting clearance for your North Sikkim permit.
Once ready, leave for Gurudongmar Lake. The drive is going to be a lovely one. Travel to Gurudongmar Lake via Kala Patthar and add more amazing memories to your trip. You are surely be going to mesmerized by the beauty of the Gurudongmar Lake.
Return from Gurudongmar Lake to your lodge. Check out after a bit of rest and leave for Lachung, which is another great place to travel to in North Sikkim.
Day 9: Discovering Lachung – Yumthang Valley
You will be spending the ninth day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip in Lachung. Lachung is guaranteed to give you an amazing experience. Explore the beauty of Yumthang Valley and Zero Point and spend the entire day exploring this gem of the state of Sikkim.
Day 10: Return Journey To Gangtok
On the tenth day of your Delhi to Sikkim road trip journey, you will be returning to Gangtok. Spend the night at Gangtok and do not forget to buy some souvenirs from the MG Marg to remember you trip for the rest of your life.
Day 11 – Day 13: Return To Delhi
During this time you will be driving back to Delhi with memories of the last few days in you mind. You will be already missing the mountains once you set on the city roads.
This is how you can do your Delhi to Sikkim road trip.
Delhi To Sikkim Distance By Road
The distance from Delhi to Sikkim by road is an approximate around 1500 kilometers. The round trip will be a total of around 3000 kilometers from Delhi to Sikkim. Traveling by road from Delhi to Sikkim is a long and adventurous journey that takes you through a diverse landscape, crossing multiple states and offering glimpses of different cultures and terrains. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect:
Distance and Travel Time
The road distance from Delhi to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is approximately 1,580 kilometers (about 982 miles). Depending on your speed, stops, and the chosen route, the journey typically takes between 32 to 36 hours of continuous driving. However, it’s recommended to spread the journey over several days to ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable trip.
Route Overview
There are multiple routes you can take from Delhi to Gangtok, but one of the most common ones is:
- Delhi to Lucknow:
- Distance: Around 550 kilometers (342 miles)
- Travel Time: Approximately 8 to 10 hours
- This segment takes you through the plains of Uttar Pradesh, passing by towns like Kanpur and Fatehpur.
- Lucknow to Patna:
- Distance: About 600 kilometers (373 miles)
- Travel Time: Around 10 to 12 hours
- This leg involves driving through more of Uttar Pradesh and then into Bihar. The road quality varies, with some stretches being well-maintained and others less so.
- Patna to Siliguri:
- Distance: Approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles)
- Travel Time: Around 8 to 10 hours
- After crossing the Ganges River, you enter West Bengal, moving towards Siliguri, a key transit town for travelers heading to Sikkim and the Northeast.
- Siliguri to Gangtok:
- Distance: About 120 kilometers (75 miles)
- Travel Time: 4 to 5 hours
- The final stretch involves a scenic uphill drive through winding roads as you enter the Himalayan foothills. The road condition is generally good, but the terrain can be challenging, especially during the monsoon season.
Things to Consider Before Your Road Trip
- Road Conditions: The road conditions vary greatly along the route. While the highways in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have seen improvements, some stretches can still be rough, especially in rural areas. The mountain roads leading into Sikkim are well-paved but narrow and winding.
- Stops and Breaks: Given the length of the journey, it’s advisable to plan overnight stops in major cities like Lucknow and Patna. This not only helps avoid driver fatigue but also gives you a chance to explore these cities.
- Weather Conditions: The best time to undertake this road trip is during the cooler months, from October to April. The monsoon season (June to September) can make the roads, especially the mountain sections near Sikkim, prone to landslides and difficult to navigate.
- Permits: If you’re planning to drive into certain restricted areas in Sikkim, especially near the international borders, you might need to obtain permits. These are usually checked at various checkpoints.
How much time do I need to take out to do a complete Delhi To Sikkim road trip?
If driven efficiently, 2 weeks is more than enough to finish a Delhi to Sikkim road trip. You can have the best experience of the state of Sikkim in these 2 weeks.
Alternatives to Delhi – Sikkim Road Trip
Given the long distance and the time required, many travelers prefer to combine road travel with train or air travel:
By Air: Another option is to fly from Delhi to Bagdogra, which is the nearest airport to Sikkim. The flight takes about 2 hours, and from Bagdogra, it’s a 4 to 5-hour drive to Gangtok.
By Train: You can take a train from Delhi to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri and then drive to Gangtok. The train journey takes around 24 hours, and the drive from NJP to Gangtok takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Concluding Delhi to Sikkim Road Trip
Your road trip from Delhi to Sikkim has been an adventure of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable moments and breathtaking scenery. From the streets of Delhi to the mountains of Sikkim, every mile of the journey has been a testament to the beauty and diversity of India. As you return home, you carry with you not just memories, but a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around you.
Make sure to explore every place safely and responsibly. Driving may be dangerous on such a long route. Make sure to get your tires and engines checked before you set out on your journey. Also take proper care of not speeding on the mountainous terrains. The accidents can prove fatal. Rest assured, I believe, you will have a great journey ahead. Refer to my YouTube Channel wherein you can catch me exploring these places.
FAQs about the Delhi to Sikkim Road Trip
Here are some frequently asked questions about Delhi to Sikkim Road trip to make your trip easier and better:
1. How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Sikkim?
The drive from Delhi to Sikkim typically takes around 3-4 days, depending on the route taken and the stops along the way. It’s important to plan for rest breaks and overnight stays to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
2. What are some must-visit attractions along the route from Delhi to Sikkim?
Some must-visit attractions along the route include popular hill stations like Shimla and Darjeeling, as well as scenic spots like the Teesta River and the Nathu La Pass. These places offer stunning views and opportunities for adventure.
3. What is the best time of year to undertake a road trip from Delhi to Sikkim?
The best time to undertake a road trip from Delhi to Sikkim is during the spring and autumn months, when the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear. Avoid traveling during the monsoon season, as heavy rainfall can make driving conditions hazardous.
4. Is it necessary to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the journey to Sikkim?
While a four-wheel-drive vehicle is not strictly necessary for the journey to Sikkim, it can be helpful, especially for navigating the rugged terrain in North Sikkim. It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is well-maintained and equipped for mountain driving.
5. What should I pack for a road trip from Delhi to Sikkim?
Essential items to pack include warm clothing, comfortable footwear, a first-aid kit, snacks and water, a map or GPS device, and any necessary documents such as identification and vehicle registration papers. Additionally, it’s important to carry cash, as ATMs may be limited in remote areas.
