Gangtok and East Sikkim · month by month
January
Tip for January
Book Tsomgo and Nathu La for the middle of your stay so a snow closure does not wipe out the trip.
Prices and crowds
After New Year week, Gangtok hotel rates drop sharply and many offer 20–40% off rack rates.
Where to go in January
Sikkim's hilltop capital, walkable, clean and good value
The Karmapa's seat in exile, on a quiet hill across from Gangtok
Lampokhari Lake, an 1895 dak bungalow and a gentle Silk Route start
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Good to know
Is January a good time to visit Gangtok and East Sikkim?
January is cold and mostly clear. Gangtok mornings are crisp with good mountain views, and Tsomgo Lake is usually frozen. The catch is snow on the high roads: Nathu La and the Kupup–Nathang stretch can close for days. Lower places such as Rumtek and Aritar are pleasant and quiet. It is a good month for travellers who want low rates and do not mind cancelling a pass day.
What is the weather like in Gangtok and East Sikkim in January?
Gangtok 4–13 °C, dry, cold nights; snow at Tsomgo. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Gangtok and East Sikkim in January?
We suggest Gangtok, Rumtek, Aritar. Book Tsomgo and Nathu La for the middle of your stay so a snow closure does not wipe out the trip.