December is one of the peak seasons to visit Sikkim. The perfect weather in Sikkim in December makes it one of the most preferred destinations, the average temperature in Sikkim in December varies from 10 degrees to – 4 degrees Celsius. Also, during the winter season, the state witness never-ending snowfall covering almost all the places. With the kind of natural beauty that Sikkim has, it becomes irresistible to keep oneself away from exploring the beautiful places in Sikkim in December.
Weather of Sikkim in December
The winter season in Sikkim has freezing temperatures, varying from 4 ° C (39 ° F) and 7 ° C (45 ° F). The place looks very welcoming and beautiful during the winter months. It is also suggested to visit Mount Kanchenjunga, which gets covered with a snow blanket.
The high-altitude areas of the state get covered with snow and snowfall is quite common during the winter months.
Visit Gangtok – the capital city of Sikkim
Being the capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok has heaps of jewels under its umbrella. Though this beautiful hill station of the North East Himalayas experiences pleasant weather throughout the year, the best time to visit Gangtok is from October to January/February. Some of the places to see in Gangtok include:
- Rumtek Monastery
- Nathula Pass
- Tsomgo Lake
- Hanuman Tok
- Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
- Namchi
- Khangchendzonga
- Do Drul Chorten Stupa
- Saramsa Garden
- Himalayan Zoological Park
- Banjhakri Falls
- Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology
- Phurchachu Reshi Hot Spring
Best Places to Visit in Sikkim in December 2022
Out of numerous tourist places to visit in Sikkim in December, we have mentioned some of the best ones:
Nathula Pass
Nathula Pass is located at a height of 14140 feet and is one of the best spots to enjoy trekking during December. The pass becomes a beautiful destination and turns into a haven of snow-clad scenery in December.
Khangchendzonga National Park
The Khangchendzonga National Park which is also known as Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve is famous for numerous trekking trails. The trails lead to places such as Dzongri, Yuksom, the tremendous Zemu Glacier, Rathang, Goechala, Bakim, Tshoka, and so forth. The national park is spread over 850 sq. kilometers of land making it the biggest natural life park in Sikkim. Some of the species of animals found here include bears, red panda, Tibetan eland, snow panther, musk deer, yapping deer, flying squirrel, etc.
Tsomgo Lake
Another beautiful experience for Sikkim is walking on the snowy Tsomgo lake in December. The travelers can enjoy some fun activities around Tsomgo Lake including a yak ride, etc. The fun of stepping on a thin layer of ice is unimaginable. Tsomgo Lake is better to visit in December due to its excellent condition. The Tsomgo snowflake sheet works as a winter mirror, showcasing the ever-changing blue surface.
Gurudongmar Lake
Located at a height of 17,800 ft above sea level, this holy lake is among the highest freshwater lakes worldwide. The lake looks equally amazing in both winter and summer. Though in winter, it becomes more enchanting. The main highlight of this lake is that it never freezes completely even in sub-zero temperatures.
The average temperature in December: The temperature in December varies from -5 to 7 degrees Celsius
How to reach: Drive to Lachen from Gangtok (which takes almost 7-8 hours) and from there, it takes almost 3-4 hours to reach the lake.
Yumthang
Thetravelers can enjoy the sunrise of Kanchenjunga peak from yumthang valley. The valley is located at a height of 8,800 ft above sea level. Yumthang is also known as the ‘Valley of Flowers’ of Lachung in North Sikkim. The tourist can enjoy the fresh layers of crisp snow in December. In fact, Zero Point is also famous for experiencing snowfall in Sikkim in December.
The temperature in December: The temperature varies from -6 to 13 degrees Celsius
How to reach: Drive to Yumthang from Gangtok (it takes 6-7 hours) and then reacher to the valley.
Zuluk
Zuluk is located at a height of 14,500 ft above sea level. Zuluk is a small village located in a valley offering an eye-catching view of the nearby places. Along with enjoying the scenic beauty of the village, travelers can also drive to this hamlet as it is quite accessible through the Old Silk Route, a remarkable icon of the Indo-China border. The sunrise and sunset views from Thambi Viewpoint are absolutely amazing.
The temperature in December varies from -5 to 10 degrees Celsius
How to reach: The travelers can book a cab from Jalpaiguri Railway Station to reach Zuluk.
Kecholpheri
If you like to explore hidden locations, then visit Kecholpheri. Though this place is not much popular among tourists but is quite a famous destination among backpackers and photographers. You can visit the high-altitude lake in December, making Kecholpheri one of the best places to visit in Sikkim in December. Don’t forget to include this place in your traveling list, if you plan to visit Yuksom and Pelling.
Where: Yuksom, Sikkim
Rumtek Monastery
The monastery is popular for its amazing architecture and is among the finest places to visit in Sikkim in the month of December. The highlight of this entire monastery complex is its three-storeyed building which is home to a few rare relics. Located on a hilltop, the monastery is an incredibly important tourist place and serves as a vantage point for enjoying the beautiful town of Gangtok.
Where: It is located 23 km away from Gangtok in Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre
Timings: The monastery is open for visitors from 6 AM – 6 PM
Popular Festivals Celebrated in Sikkim in December
Sikkim hosts a myriad of festivals and cultural events in the month of December giving more reasons to visitors to visit this beautiful state during the winter season. Some of the main festivals celebrated in Sikkim during December include-
Gangtok Winter Festival: Cultural folk dance and song performances are the main highlights of this festival. The festival is organized by the Tourism Department of Sikkim and is the best time to enjoy some delicious and mouthwatering Sikkimese cuisines.
Mangan Music Festival: It is a three-day long music festival organized at Mangan from 12th to 14th December every year. The renowned bands from all over the Northeast come together to entertain huge crowds with their amazing performances.
Losoong: The Sikkimese New Year is celebrated at the Phodong and Rumtek monasteries. The main attraction of this carnival is the Black Hat dance
Losar: The Tibetan New Year, which is popularly known as Losar, is a three-day celebration with prayers, chanting, folk music, dance drama, and many more performances
Kayged Festival: If you want to experience the famous ‘Cham’ dance of masked monks in the monasteries, then do take part in Kayged Festival.
Things to keep in mind while traveling to Sikkim in December
- Make sure you carry enough woolen clothes as the temperature at some places drops down to even less than zero degrees Celsius as well.
- Get all the permits and plan ahead of time while visiting places like Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake, etc. as they are located close to international borders.
- Take part in cultural festivals organized in Sikkim in winter.
So, are you all set for an invigorating trip to Sikkim in December? If yes, then start planning ahead and book the best Sikkim tour packages to experience great holidays in Sikkim. Visit Honeymoon Bug and start browsing different Sikkim honeymoon packages based on your needs and requirements.
Faqs About Sikkim Trip in December 2022
Is Sikkim worth visiting in December?
Yes, December is one of the best months to plan a visit to Sikkim. The weather in the state of Sikkim in December is ideal for outdoor activities. The average temperature during the month of December varies from 10 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius. Even on some days, the average temperature is as low as 0 degrees Celsius in the high-altitude areas, the majority of which remain closed in the winter season.
Some of the most popular activities to do in Sikkim in December include:
· Trekking & Hiking
· Mountaineering
· Mountain Biking
· Skiing
· Paragliding
· Hand Gliding, etc.
Which part of Sikkim is best in December?
Most of the tourist destinations in Sikkim remain open in December in Sikkim excluding places like Tsomgo Lake, etc. which sometimes get closed due to heavy snow. Some of the best places to visit in Sikkim in December include:
· Gangtok
· Tsomgo Lake
· Gurudongmar Lake.
· Yumthang Valley.
· Mountain Biking.
· Teesta River.
· Yak Ride.
· Nathula Pass.
Is there snowfall in Sikkim in December?
The weather in Sikkim in December is freezing and tourists can also witness snowfall. The travelers can visit Yumthang- Snow-Capped Peaks and Zero Point which is also famous for experiencing snowfall in Sikkim in December. One of the amazing things to know about Nathula Pass is that it is among the trading border posts located between China and India.
You can also visit Zero Point if you want to experience snowfall in Sikkim in December. If you do not find snow in Yumthang itself, then visit Zero Point which always remained covered with layers of ice during the winter.
What are the best places to visit in Sikkim in December for honeymoon couples?
A honeymoon trip must be special and thus it must be memorable so that it can be cherished for life. Post getting married to their loved ones, one must begin their new journey in a more romantic way by choosing the best destination. If you have also got married and planning to visit Sikkim, then check out the best places in December in Sikkim for honeymoon couples:
· Lachung
· Yumthang
· Dzongu
· Zuluk
· Rongli
· Gangtok
· Pelling
· Rinchenpong
· Ravangla
· Singtam
What things should I keep in mind while traveling during the coronavirus time?
Carry hand sanitizers, masks, tissues, and disinfectant wipes, with you as you might need them while traveling. Also, try to do online bookings as much as possible to avoid any difficulty later.
What things can I do in Sikkim in December?
Some of the things travelers can do in Sikkim in December include paying a visit to monasteries, exploring the wildlife of Sikkim, shopping, trying out different local cuisines, etc.
What kind of clothes should I carry to Sikkim in December?
The travelers planning to visit Sikkim in December must carry sufficient woolens with layers of clothing along with them. Keep enough woolens like sweaters, jackets, mufflers, thermals, socks, caps, etc.
Can I visit Nathula Pass in December?
Due to heavy snowfall, Nathula Pass might get covered in snow, but the route mostly remains open. You can take snow gears on rent before visiting the pass.
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