Author
Sapna Gurung
Sapna heads the Darjeeling and West Sikkim desk at We Care Holidays. She has been coordinating tea-estate stays, Pelling-Pemayangtse loops and Kalimpong day trips since 2018.
15 articles by Sapna Gurung
SeasonsGangtok in May: weather, things to do, crowds and what to actually book
Gangtok in May means daytime 19–22°C, packed MG Marg evenings, Tsomgo Lake at peak capacity, and hotel rates 30 per cent higher than November. Here is the city-specific guide — what works in May, what is crowded, and how to time the famous viewpoints.
ItinerariesDarjeeling + Kalimpong itinerary: 5 days, two hill stations, gentler pace
Darjeeling and Kalimpong sit 51 km apart and complement each other — Darjeeling for tea and the Toy Train, Kalimpong for monasteries and the cactus nurseries. Five nights covers both comfortably. Day-by-day with drive times, recommended hotels and what to skip.
Destination GuidesYuksom: the first capital of Sikkim and the quietest mountain village worth your time
Yuksom at 1,780 metres was the first capital of Sikkim (1642) where the first Chogyal was crowned at Norbugang. Today it is a quiet trekkers' village with five distinct sights, two excellent monasteries, and the gentlest pace in West Sikkim. Day-trippers miss everything; stay 2 nights minimum.
Travel EssentialsSikkim language survival guide: Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha phrases that actually help
Sikkim has four official languages — English, Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha. English works almost everywhere. But knowing 25 Nepali phrases (the lingua franca of the state) plus 5 Bhutia and 5 Lepcha greetings genuinely changes how locals respond. Here is the practical traveller phrasebook.
SeasonsSikkim in February: first rhododendrons, road reopening, hidden shoulder pricing
February in Sikkim is the transition month — Gangtok daytime 12°C, Pelling clear, the first rhododendrons in the lower valleys, the North Sikkim road reopens mid-month after winter ice clears, and hotel rates are still at annual low for top-tier properties. A real shoulder window.
ItinerariesSikkim & Darjeeling honeymoon: where to stay, what to skip, what makes it romantic
A Sikkim-Darjeeling honeymoon works because it sits between two clichés — neither generic-resort Goa nor crowded Manali. Glenburn for tea-estate intimacy, Pelling Sangacholing for sunset privacy, Lachung Bhutia lodges for off-grid quiet. Honest version below.
Travel TipsSikkim, Bhutan or Ladakh: an honest comparison from someone who plans all three
A direct comparison of Sikkim, Bhutan and Ladakh for the traveller deciding between them. Cost, altitude, season, culture, road quality, and what each does better than the others.
Family TravelSikkim with toddlers and babies: an honest planning guide from the operator desk
Altitude limits, road sickness, baby food, diapers, doctors, and the routes that work for under-fives. A real planning guide from someone who has handled hundreds of family bookings.
ItinerariesSikkim wellness and spa retreats: Mayfair, Glenburn, and the working monastery meditation options
Sikkim wellness travel splits in two — luxury spa resorts like Mayfair Spa Resort Gangtok and the Glenburn Tea Estate, and the genuine meditation retreats at working monasteries (Rumtek, Sanga Choling). Most "yoga retreats" advertised online are not in Sikkim; the real options are smaller and quieter.
Destination GuidesThings to do in Gangtok: 15 experiences worth your time, ranked honestly
Gangtok sits at 1,650 metres on a single long ridge and has roughly 30 tourist attractions on standard package lists. Most are filler. This is the ranked, honest version — what to spend a day on, what to skip, and the one early morning that nobody talks about.
Travel TipsTiger Hill sunrise in Darjeeling: a planning guide for the trip you may only get one shot at
How to plan Tiger Hill sunrise properly. The exact timing, the booking system you may not know exists, which months actually give clear views, and what to do if the morning clouds in.
ItinerariesDarjeeling itinerary: practical 3, 5 and 7-day trip plans
A Darjeeling itinerary works at three sensible lengths — 3 nights for the town and Tiger Hill, 5 nights to add tea estates and Mirik, 7 nights for the full Sandakphu base or Kalimpong combination. Day-by-day with drive times and what to skip if you are short.
Travel EssentialsSikkim trip from Kolkata: Darjeeling Mail vs flight vs road, which is best
Kolkata to Sikkim has three good routes — the famous Darjeeling Mail overnight train (Sealdah to NJP, 10 hours), the daily flights to Bagdogra (1.5 hours), and the road option via Siliguri. The train is the cultural classic. Here is the route comparison with current costs and booking.
Family TravelTravelling to Sikkim or Darjeeling with a pet: the practical guide we wish existed
A genuine planning guide for travelling to Sikkim and Darjeeling with a dog or cat. Pet-friendly homestays, transport, permits, altitude considerations for pets, and the practical realities most operators ignore.
Travel TipsKanchenjunga without the trek: the best mountain views in Sikkim and Darjeeling for non-trekkers
A practical guide to the best Kanchenjunga and Eastern Himalaya views you can reach by car. Where, when, what to expect on clear and cloudy days, and how to maximise your chances.