Day 1 · Bagdogra airport Gangtok
Straight up the Teesta while you are fresh
- 124 km, about 4.5 h
- High point 1,650 m
- Sleep at 1,650 m
- Easy
Only ticketed passengers may go into the terminal, so your driver waits just outside the arrivals exit, name board in hand, with cold water, fruit and a rug in the car. The 124 km up NH10 take about four and a half hours, with the Teesta beside you most of the way. At Rangpo, the Sikkim border, foreign guests show their printed e-FRRO permits while Indian guests roll on. At Singtam, where the Rani Khola comes down to meet the Teesta, the car pulls in for tea on the last level ground of the day, because from here the road lifts you about 1,200 m in 30 km. Around 17:30 you turn into The Elgin Nor-Khill, built in 1932 as the Chogyal's guest house. Dinner is early and light in the Shangri-La dining room. Behind the scenes, your ID copies and photographs already sit with our registered Sikkim operator, ready for the Tsomgo permit.
The momentThe white khada laid round your neck at the Nor-Khill door, with the valley turning blue below the garden.
InsiderSikkim charges every visitor aged five and over a ₹50 tourist fee, good for 30 days. The Nor-Khill collects it at check-in, and we have already paid it for you.
If the weather turnsIf slides close NH10, the police open a diversion through Gorubathan. It adds time, so we carry proper snacks and ring the hotel to keep the kitchen open.
- Tonight
- The Elgin Nor-Khill, Gangtok
- Meals
- Dinner


