Private journeys in seven lands · a planner replies within one working day
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A seven-night Sikkim holiday paced for families: four nights at Mayfair in Gangtok, with its indoor pool and spa, for monasteries, Tsomgo Lake and a momo-making evening, then three at the Elgin Mount Pandim in Pelling for Kanchenjunga at dawn and the old capitals. Drives are kept short and afternoons free.
Sikkim is one of the easiest Himalayan regions to travel with children: clean, safe, well organised and full of things that catch young imaginations, from prayer wheels and monks in red robes to snow at Tsomgo Lake and the giant mountain filling the sky at Pelling. The challenge is the roads, which are slow and winding, so this journey keeps long drives to two and leaves most afternoons open.
In Gangtok we base families at Mayfair Spa Resort, which has large rooms, landscaped grounds and an indoor heated pool for rainy or cold afternoons. In Pelling, the Elgin Mount Pandim's lawn faces Kanchenjunga, and the monastery is a short walk up the hill. Activities are chosen for curiosity and fun, with a guide who is used to explaining things to children.
Highlights
Day by day
A private car and guide meet you at Bagdogra airport. The road follows the green Teesta river into the hills, with a stop for snacks and a stretch at a riverside cafe. Foreign family members show their Sikkim permit at Rangpo. Arrive at Mayfair in the afternoon, with time for the pool before dinner.
A morning at Rumtek Monastery, where children can spin the prayer wheels, watch young monks at their lessons and look up at the painted ceilings of the great hall. After lunch, ride the Gangtok ropeway over the town for the view, then return to the resort for a free afternoon by the pool or on the lawns.
An early start for Tsomgo Lake, high on the road towards Tibet, with permits arranged the day before. From about January to March the lake is frozen and surrounded by snow, and in spring and autumn it is clear and blue. We keep the visit short because of the altitude, and pack hot chocolate and warm hats. Back at Mayfair for a late lunch and rest.
A gentle morning at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology's museum, with its masks, statues and old books, and a walk around the white Do Drul Chorten with its ring of prayer wheels. In the late afternoon, walk the car-free MG Marg, then join a local family to fold and steam momos together before eating them for dinner.
The second and last long drive, broken at Ravangla's Buddha Park, where a giant statue of the Buddha sits above lawns and prayer flags, and at a tea garden for juice and a stretch. Continue to Pelling and the Elgin Mount Pandim, where the lawn looks across to the Kanchenjunga range. An early dinner and bed.
Wake before sunrise, wrap up in blankets and watch Kanchenjunga turn pink, then gold, with hot drinks on the lawn. After breakfast, walk up to Pemayangtse Monastery to see its painted model of a palace in the sky, and follow the forest path to the ruins of Rabdentse, where Sikkim's kings once lived. Afternoon free.
A drive to Khecheopalri, the sacred wishing lake in the forest, where children can walk the jetty and make a silent wish. Stop at the Kanchenjunga falls on the way back for the spray and the noise. Return to the hotel for a last afternoon of games on the lawn and a farewell dinner.
One last look at the mountains at breakfast, then the drive down through west Sikkim and the Teesta valley to Bagdogra airport, with a lunch stop and plenty of breaks for younger travellers.
Included
Not included
Where you sleep
A large resort on the hillside below Gangtok, built in Sikkimese style with a monastery-inspired main building, a spa, an indoor pool and a casino. Rooms …
A heritage hotel on the ridge below Pemayangtse Monastery near Pelling, run by Elgin Hotels, with a lawn and rooms that face the Kanchenjunga range. It …
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Questions travellers ask
Yes. Sikkim is clean, safe and welcoming, with gentle sightseeing, good food and family-friendly hotels. Children enjoy the monasteries, the snow at Tsomgo Lake, the ropeway, momos and the mountain views. The main challenge is winding roads, which this journey keeps to a minimum.
Children of about 5 and up enjoy it most. Younger children can come, but long drives and early mornings are harder, and Tsomgo's altitude needs care. We adjust the plan to your children's ages and interests.
For healthy children, a short visit is usually fine. Tsomgo is at about 3,750 m, so we limit time there, keep children warm and hydrated, and descend if anyone feels unwell. We skip it for babies or children with colds or breathing problems.
Mayfair has large rooms, landscaped grounds and an indoor heated pool, which is rare in Sikkim and a great asset for families on free afternoons or cold days. Taj Guras Kutir is an alternative if you prefer a quieter resort.
Two long drives of about 4.5 to 5.5 hours each way to and from the airport, and one of about 5 hours between Gangtok and Pelling, all with stops. Other days involve short drives. We plan breaks every 1.5 to 2 hours.
October to December, during the autumn and Diwali or Christmas holidays, for clear views, and March to May, during spring holidays, for flowers and mild weather. January and February are cold but good for snow at Tsomgo.
From about ₹2,25,000 per person, twin sharing, with reduced rates for children sharing a room. The price includes hotels, the meals listed, a private car and guide, permits and activities. Flights are extra.
Yes, if road access allows. Two nights in Lachung for Yumthang Valley add snow and flowers, with a long drive each way. North Sikkim has been disrupted since 2023, so check current status before you travel.
Yes. Momos, noodle soups, rice and mild curries suit most children, and both hotels offer Indian and continental food. Spice levels are easy to adjust. The momo-making evening is a favourite with families.
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