Sikkim Trip Cost 2026: Budget Breakdown for 5 & 7 Days
8 min read
Updated 4 April 2026
Quick Cost Summary
Budget: ₹2,500-4,000/day per person. Mid-range: ₹4,000-7,000/day. Comfortable: ₹7,000-12,000/day. Getting to Sikkim (flights/trains to Bagdogra) is extra — see our "how to reach" guides.
Transport Costs
Shared taxis (the main transport): Gangtok local sightseeing ₹300-500/person. Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake ₹400-600/person (shared). Gangtok to North Sikkim (Lachung) ₹1,500-2,000/person (2 days). Gangtok to Silk Route (Zuluk) ₹1,200-1,800/person. Private vehicle: double the shared price. Hiring a dedicated vehicle: ₹3,000-5,000/day (Innova).
Accommodation
Gangtok budget hotels: ₹800-1,500/night. Gangtok mid-range: ₹2,000-4,000/night. Lachung/Yumthang homestays: ₹1,500-2,500/night (with meals). Zuluk homestays: ₹1,200-2,000/night (with meals). Pelling: ₹1,000-3,000/night. Note: homestay prices usually include dinner and breakfast.
Food & Dining
Local restaurants/thukpa stalls: ₹100-250/meal. Mid-range restaurants (Gangtok MG Marg): ₹300-600/meal. Homestay meals: Usually included (worth ₹200-400/meal). Try: momos, thukpa, gundruk soup, sha phaley (Tibetan bread). Budget tip: homestays with meals included offer the best value.
5-Day Gangtok + Tsomgo Budget
Budget: ₹12,000-18,000/person. Mid-range: ₹20,000-30,000/person. Covers: 4 nights accommodation, meals, local transport, Tsomgo Lake trip, permits, sightseeing.
7-Day Full Sikkim Budget
Budget: ₹18,000-28,000/person. Mid-range: ₹30,000-45,000/person. Covers: Gangtok (2 nights) + North Sikkim/Lachung (2 nights) + Pelling (2 nights) + transit (1 night). Or: Gangtok (2 nights) + Silk Route (2 nights) + Pelling (2 nights) + transit (1 night).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Moderately priced. Cheaper than Ladakh or Kashmir, slightly more than Darjeeling. Homestays with meals included offer excellent value. The main cost driver is private transport for remote areas.
ILP (Inner Line Permit): ₹100 per person at Gangtok. Nathula Pass additional permit: ₹200. Processing is same-day. Need Aadhaar + passport photos.
For 5 days: tight but possible with shared taxis, budget guesthouses, and homestay meals. Skip Nathula (permit + extra transport) and focus on Gangtok + Tsomgo + Pelling.