By the first week of November, when fall begins to fade into the background, winter has arrived in Sikkim. The days are becoming shorter, and the first hints of snow are strewn across the alpine trees at higher elevations. Sikkim in November is like nature’s curtain call—a gentle farewell to fall before the final performance, a winter splendour.

Eastern Sikkim’s Post-Autumn Delights

Temperatures in Gangtok, in the east, ranging from 5° to 16°C in the last month of the year. The days are more comfortable, and the nights are not as frigid as they are in December and January. Sikkim’s capital, situated at 5,840 feet above sea level, is an ideal location for visiting a variety of day excursions. The city will be slightly less congested than in the spring.

Tsuklakhang, Rumtek, and Phodang gompas are the best places to start your Buddhist monastery tour. Tsuklakhang, despite its location in the hustle and bustle of Gangtok (near the Flower Exhibition Centre), offers tranquillity. Begin your journey here and then rent a jeep to transport you to Rumtek and Phodang. The 23-kilometer trip to Rumtek passes through golden rice fields that gleam in the November light. Rumtek, located on a 5,000-foot hill, is Sikkim’s largest gompa and gives a foggy view of Gangtok. Phodang, an 18th-century gompa, is located 39 kilometres from the capital and lies at a height of 4,500 feet.

November is the best month to visit Nathu La Pass (14,140 feet) to see the first signs of winter. This pass, less than 60 kilometres from Gangtok, was formerly part of the Silk Route, and if you visit in mid-November, the possibilities of snowfall are great. The awe-inspiring snow-capped Sikkimese Himalayas are close, as are two other important attractions.

Tsomgo Lake, also known as Changu Lake, is positioned at a dizzying 12,310 feet above sea level. This glacial lake encircled by mountains, located 40 kilometres from Gangtok, includes a ropeway that provides an overhead perspective of the mountain-scape.

Baba Mandir is 15 kilometres from this idyllic circular lake. This temple is devoted to the remembrance of Harbhajan Singh and is located just above 13,000ft. The concept that his soul guards the soldiers stationed at the Sino-Indian border solidified his holy reputation. The chill sets in early November, with lows of -4°C and highs of just 5°C. Remember to bring your warmest jacket or rent one in Gangtok.

North Sikkim’s Pleasant Young Winter

Do not be put off by the cold by visiting north Sikkim. In November, the temperature drops below zero, while the days are normally about 12°C. November is the last month of the fall season.

Lachen, at an elevation of 8800 feet, resembles a fairy-tale alpine village. This small village, about a 4-and-a-half-hour drive from Gangtok, begins receiving snowfall in November, which blankets the picturesque cottages and alpine greenery. The finest aspect of visiting Lachen in the winter is the clear view of the surrounding mountains. Take a walk to Lachen Gompa, which is not far from town, if you want to feel the peace of a Buddhist monastery.

Hire a car to get to Gurudongmar Lake if you’re staying in Lachen. The second-highest lake in India, at a remarkable 17,000 feet, remains usually frozen throughout the year, 67 kilometres from town. During the month of November, the jeep ride from Lachen to Gurudongmar is one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous rides in north Sikkim. Mt. Kanchenjunga and Sinolchu will be visible in all their splendour from the lake. The temperature of Gurudongmar ranges between -3°C and -20°C due to its height.

If you’re travelling to the north, set aside a day or two to explore Lachung (9,000ft). This nearby village is located 47 kilometres from Lachen at the confluence of two Teesta river streams. The temperature in November varies between -1°C and 16°C. Although Lachung Gompa is modest, the monastery’s inner sanctuary will transfer you to a more tranquil environment.

The powerful Teesta, waterfalls, and a multitude of mountain springs are among the spellbinding beauty along the journey if you’re travelling to Lachung from Gangtok. If you want to see snow, get up early and cycle 25 kilometres to Yumthang Valley from Lachung. The mountain summits that soar over the Teesta are blanketed in snow. Take a restorative soak in the Yumthang Tsachu, a natural hot spring nearby, if you’re looking for something unusual. The popular Zero Point (15,000ft) lies another 25km from Yumthang valley, and anyone looking for snow will not be disappointed. At this location, three rivers merge, and the panoramic views are well worth the rocky automobile trip.

West Sikkim’s Late Autumn-Early Winter

West Sikkim is an attractive tourist location as winter approaches in November. Pelling, at 7,200 feet above sea level, is around 130 kilometres from Gangtok and well-connected. The temperature ranges from 9°C to 21°C on an average November day. The old Pemayangtse Monastery, just 9 kilometres from Pelling, provides unrivalled views of the Himalayas, with Rabdentse visible on a clear late-autumn/early-winter day. If you’re interested in history, stop at the Rabdentse Ruins, 32 kilometres from Pelling town, to see the charmingly decaying remnants of Sikkim’s former capital. In November, Khecheopalri Lake is mysterious, with a walkway lined with prayer flags leading to the bank and milky clouds separating to reveal a magnificent waterbody.

November is the best hiking month for adrenaline seekers. Yuksom, a historical town in west Sikkim, approximately 40 kilometres from Pelling. Yuksom (6,000ft) is the starting point for a variety of early winter treks to Goechla, Dzongri, and Kanchenjunga Base Camp, and is known as the “doorway to the Kanchenjunga.” A November trip is the greatest option for those who wish to see Sikkim’s natural beauty coated in snow. The vistas are breathtaking, there’s a good probability of snow, and the night sky is ablaze with stars.

The Grand South Sikkim Entrance in Winter

Despite the fact that South Sikkim is a tiny region, there is enough to do in November. Namchi is the capital of the southern district of Sikkim. Take a walk to the summit of Samdruptse Hill, where a massive statue of Padmasambhava stands among the clouds. The hill is at a height of 7000ft; the temperature in Namchi ranges from 8°C to 15°C; and if you’re interested in Tibetan religious architecture, don’t miss the Ngadak and Sherdup Choeling gompas. Temi Tea Garden (about 20 kilometres from Namchi) is the place to go if you want to see cherry blossoms in bloom. These delicate petals have been compared to Japan’s cherry blossoms for their stunning beauty.

A November vacation to Ravangla will involve soaking in the hot springs at Borong hamlet, trekking to Maenam Hill for stunning southern views of the mountain ranges, and discovering Buddhist legacy at Ralang Monastery. The Maenam Creatures Sanctuary, 26 kilometres from Ravangla, is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, and if you get there early enough, you might be able to see alpine Himalayan wildlife in their native environment.

In the first week of November, the whole state of Sikkim celebrates Tihar, the festival of lights. Various animals are dedicated throughout the five-day celebration, which is based on Hindu mythology. In November, Lhabab Duchen, a Buddhist festival commemorating Buddha’s descent to earth after preaching in Trayastrimsa, is held (Heaven of Thirty-three).