North Sikkim Green Lake Trekking

Remote mountain country rewards patience. This 16-day North Sikkim trip combines the Green Lake Trail with Gangtok sightseeing, village stays, monastery visits, and long stretches of mountain scenery. I like the chance to reach a part of Sikkim that is difficult to visit without local support, and I like that pickup and drop-off at Bagdogra Airport are included. The main caution is that the day-by-day plan is quite broad, so you should ask for exact overnight stops, trekking distances, meals, and accommodation before paying.

I also like the private format. Your group travels by itself, which makes it easier to adjust the pace and ask for help when the road or trail gets tiring. The drawback is the price: at $1,600 per person, this is a serious investment, and the published details do not clearly explain everything included in that figure.

Key points to know before you book

• Green Lake is the main prize: The route runs from Lachen through Jakthang toward Green Lake and back, with about 11 days devoted to trekking and mountain travel.
• The plan mixes walking with sightseeing: Gangtok, MG Marg, Singik View Point, Phodong Monastery, and the Teesta River add cultural and scenic stops.
• Expect a remote setting: A guide is important here because much of North Sikkim is hard to explore independently.
• The walking demand is moderate but prolonged: The stated hiking time is roughly two to five hours a day, yet the trip lasts 16 days.
• Private transport is a major convenience: Airport transfers and a private vehicle mean you are not joining a large mixed group.
• The operator has strong service feedback: Adarsh Tours, Travels & Expeditions is praised for prompt communication, careful drivers, comfortable vehicles, and trekking support.

Why the Green Lake route is the heart of the trip

The Green Lake Trail is not a quick scenic walk added to a standard Sikkim holiday. It is the reason to consider this trip in the first place. The route begins around Lachen and continues through Jakthang toward Green Lake, an area described as remote and difficult to visit without a guide.

That matters because the appeal here is not a polished sightseeing circuit. You are paying for access to a less developed mountain region, plus the practical support needed to move through it. The guide helps keep the route organized, while local trekking staff can make a long trip more manageable.

The advertised walking schedule is roughly two to five hours per day. On paper, that sounds reasonable for someone with moderate fitness. Still, you should not confuse shorter daily walking hours with an easy holiday. Repeated days on mountain trails, changes in altitude, basic conditions, and the remote setting can make the effort feel greater than the clock suggests.

The day descriptions use general phrases such as natural mountain views and enjoying mountain views. That tells you the scenery is central, but it does not tell you enough about distance, elevation gain, trail conditions, or sleeping arrangements. Ask for a proper trekking breakdown before departure. You will want to know which days are acclimatization days, which are longer walks, and where you sleep each night.

Days 1 and 2: MG Marg and Gangtok

The trip begins with pickup at Bagdogra International Airport Road. After reaching the hotel, the first outing is a visit to MG Marg in Gangtok.

MG Marg is a useful gentle start. You can walk, look around, and begin adjusting to Sikkim without immediately tackling a demanding road journey or trail. It also gives you a first taste of Gangtok before the more remote part of the trip begins.

Day 2 is set aside for full-day sightseeing in Gangtok. The description does not list each stop, so you should confirm the sightseeing plan with the operator. A full day in the capital gives you time to see more than a quick roadside attraction, but the exact value depends on what has been arranged.

I like this two-day opening because it creates breathing room before the trek. It also gives you a chance to check your clothing, footwear, and personal gear. If something is missing, Gangtok is the sensible place to address it, rather than waiting until Lachen.

Day 3: Reaching Lachen village

Day 3 takes you to Lachen after checking into your hotel. Lachen is the gateway for the northern mountain section, so this is where the trip changes character.

The move from Gangtok to Lachen is important even though the supplied plan does not give a driving time. It takes you away from the city and toward the trail network. You should treat this as a transition day rather than expecting a major walk after arrival.

The word hotel is used for Lachen, but the details do not say what type of accommodation is provided. Ask whether rooms are private or shared, whether meals are included, and how luggage is handled once the trek starts. Those details have a direct effect on the value of a $1,600 package.

Days 4 to 13: Eleven days of remote mountain travel

The middle of the trip is the longest section. It is described as full-day trekking followed by several days of mountain views, then more days enjoying the scenery. The overall summary says the Green Lake Trail takes about 11 days from Lachen to Green Lake and back.

This is where the trip needs the clearest explanation from the operator. The broad day labels make it difficult to tell which days involve active trekking, which are rest days, and which are return travel. You should request a map or written schedule with daily walking times and overnight locations.

The attraction is obvious: you get time in the mountains instead of racing in and out for a single viewpoint. A longer schedule can also help you settle into the pace. If weather affects one walking day, the whole trip may not collapse immediately.

The price may cover more than transport and guiding. A long remote trek can require a guide, cooks, porters, camping or lodging arrangements, meals, permits, and vehicle support. However, none of those inclusions are spelled out in the supplied details, so do not assume they are all included. Get the package contents in writing.

The operator’s trekking service receives especially strong praise for its support team. One account specifically credits the Sherpas, cooks, and porters with taking care of practical needs, while guide Lo and Gopal are praised for their kindness. That is useful information for anyone comparing operators, because remote trekking depends as much on camp support and communication as it does on the walking route.

The private format should also help here. You are not trying to match the speed of a large group, and only your own party participates. That can make a difference on days when you need a slower pace or a longer break.

Still, private does not mean effortless. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be comfortable walking for several hours on successive days and spending time in a remote region where plans may depend on weather.

Day 14: The downhill return

Day 14 is described as a pleasant trek downhill. After many days on the trail, descending may feel easier on your breathing, but downhill walking can still be hard on knees and ankles.

This is a good day to use trekking poles if you carry them and to avoid rushing. The published plan does not give the exact distance, so ask whether this is a short return walk or a full trekking day.

The downhill section also marks the end of the most remote part of the trip. You are moving back toward roads and transport, but the schedule still leaves time for additional sightseeing rather than sending you straight to the airport.

Day 15: Singik View Point and Phodong Monastery

Day 15 adds two very different stops: Singik View Point and Phodong Monastery.

Singik View Point is included as a scenic stop on the way back. Since the trip already spends many days among mountains, this may sound like more of the same. In practice, a viewpoint offers a quick, easy way to appreciate the scale of the region after experiencing it on foot.

Phodong Monastery provides a cultural change of pace. The tour summary also refers to visiting a Tibetan monastery in Gangtok, while the detailed plan names Phodong Monastery. Confirm whether Phodong is the monastery intended by the package or whether another monastery is included as well.

I like this pairing because it keeps the return journey from becoming a simple transport day. You get one stop focused on scenery and another connected to Sikkim’s religious life. Be aware that the description does not state visiting hours, dress requirements, or how long you will spend at either stop.

Day 16: The Teesta River and the finish

The final day is spent enjoying the Teesta River before the activity ends back at the meeting point.

That ending gives you a calmer final look at Sikkim’s natural setting. It also keeps the trip from finishing abruptly after the trek. The exact timing is not provided, so check how Day 16 connects with your onward travel plans.

Airport pickup and drop-off at Bagdogra are included as part of the arrangement, but the activity details identify the meeting point as Bagdogra International Airport Road and say the tour ends back there. If you are booking a separate flight or hotel, leave plenty of time for road delays and confirm the return schedule directly.

What the $1,600 price buys you in practical terms

At $1,600 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing tour. The value depends on how much remote trekking support is included.

For a long private trip in North Sikkim, the cost may make sense if it covers transport, guiding, trekking staff, accommodation, meals, and the logistics needed to reach Green Lake. The positive service feedback supports the idea that the operator is used to arranging drivers, vehicles, trekking staff, and complex Sikkim routes.

The feedback about vehicles is especially useful for the non-trekking days. Drivers are described as safe, helpful, punctual, and comfortable to ride with. One account specifically mentions an Innova Cresta, although you should not assume that exact vehicle will be assigned to every booking.

Communication is another strength. Gopal is praised for responding promptly and for adjusting plans to suit particular needs. That kind of contact matters when your route includes remote roads, weather concerns, permits, and a long chain of hotel and trek arrangements.

Before booking, ask for a written list of inclusions. Confirm:

• Accommodation type in Gangtok, Lachen, and along the trek
• Meals and drinking water
• Guide and trekking staff
• Porter or luggage arrangements
• Transport vehicle and fuel
• Any permits or local charges
• Exact trekking distances and elevations
• What happens if weather changes the route

Without those answers, it is hard to judge the price fairly.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if the Green Lake Trail is your main reason for visiting Sikkim. It suits someone who values remote scenery, private support, and a slow route over a quick checklist of famous stops.

It is also a good match if you prefer having one operator coordinate transport, guides, drivers, and trekking staff. The strong feedback about safety, punctuality, friendly drivers, and helpful support suggests that service is one of the package’s best features.

You may want a different trip if you prefer a tightly detailed schedule, luxury accommodation, short walks, or a holiday with very little time in remote terrain. The available daily descriptions are not precise enough for someone who needs to know every kilometer and overnight stop well in advance.

Foreign visitors should pay special attention to local tour requirements. One account notes that foreigners visiting North Sikkim may need to arrange the trip through a Sikkim-registered agency and travel with a government-authorized guide. Confirm the current rules for your nationality before arrival.

Booking details, fitness, and cancellation

The experience is a private activity for your group only, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is at Bagdogra International Airport Road, with the activity ending back there.

A moderate fitness level is required. That wording is broad, so ask for the actual daily walking distances and trail conditions rather than relying on the label alone.

The published operating period runs from February 13, 2020, through June 5, 2026, with opening hours listed as Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Confirmation is received at booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the North Sikkim Green Lake Trek?

Book it if you want a long, guided journey into remote North Sikkim and you value reliable local arrangements more than a polished, tightly scripted tour. The strongest reasons to go are the Green Lake route, the private format, the reported care from drivers and trekking staff, and the chance to combine mountains with Gangtok and monastery visits.

I would not pay the full amount without first getting the missing details in writing. Ask for the exact route, daily walking hours, accommodation, meals, transport, staff, and inclusions. If those answers are clear and the Green Lake Trail is your priority, this could be a worthwhile way to reach a difficult part of Sikkim with practical support close at hand.

FAQ

How long is the North Sikkim Green Lake Trekking experience?

The tour lasts approximately 16 days. About 11 days are devoted to the Green Lake Trail and related trekking, while the remaining time includes Gangtok sightseeing and driving days.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is on Bagdogra International Airport Road near Bagdogra International Airport in West Bengal, India.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $1,600 per person.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What fitness level is required?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The stated walking time is roughly two to five hours per day during the Green Lake section.

Does the tour include airport pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Bagdogra Airport are listed among the tour highlights.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.