Discover orchids in their natural habitats on this guided nature tour of Sikkim, India, in the eastern Himalayas. From lush subtropical forests to cool mountain landscapes, Sikkim offers remarkable plant diversity against the spectacular backdrop of Mt. Khangchendzonga.

Designed for orchid enthusiasts and nature lovers, this tour focuses on orchid habitats reached by road and short walks, without strenuous hikes. Knowledgeable guides help you find and appreciate wild orchids while exploring the region’s forests, flora, and mountain scenery.

Travel between destinations in a Toyota Innova and enjoy packed lunches in beautiful natural settings. The relaxed approach suits travelers who prefer shorter walks to demanding treks, while offering rewarding opportunities to experience Sikkim’s orchids and biodiversity.

Explore wild orchids in their natural habitats on this guided orchid and nature tour of Sikkim, India, in the eastern Himalayas. This remarkable region spans subtropical forests, temperate mountain habitats, and alpine landscapes beneath Mt. Khangchendzonga. Its rich flora includes orchids such as Bulbophyllum, Calanthe, Coelogyne, and Dendrobium, as well as spectacular rhododendrons, primulas, arisaemas and other Himalayan plants.

Our knowledgeable guides have selected rewarding orchid sites close to roads, allowing participants to explore on short walks without strenuous treks. The tour suits nature lovers who prefer less demanding walks, although terrain and footing vary, and some sites may require greater mobility.

Stay in hotels selected for this nature-focused itinerary, enjoy occasional packed lunches in scenic outdoor settings, and travel in Toyota Innova vehicles or equivalent, with three guests per vehicle and the rear row primarily reserved for luggage.

As development places pressure on natural habitats, this trip offers an opportunity to appreciate Sikkim’s extraordinary orchids where they grow in the wild.

For further details, please visit our website for trip reports, publications, and photos from our previous trip to Sikkim.

Our Orchids in the Wild Ecotours are one of OCA’s most important fundraising programs. OCA’s board and staff are entirely volunteer, and profits from each tour directly support our conservation projects and project partners. Tour profits typically range from $300–$1,000 per participant, depending on the tour. After each tour, we calculate the profit per participant and provide travelers with a year-end donation acknowledgment for that amount. OCA is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; the contribution may be tax-deductible, so please consult your tax adviser.

Orchid Conservation Alliance Projects and Partners

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are, what we do and how we do it,

Today everyone arrives in Delhi. Upon arrival, meet and assist and then transfer to your hotel.

Destination

Sikkim, India

Dates

April 1-16, 2027

Duration

16 days/15 nights

Tour type

Small-group orchid and botanical ecotour

Primary focus

Orchids, rhododendrons, arisaema, scenery, culture

Other interests

Spring wildflowers, birds, landscapes, culture, historical sites, Buddhist monasteries, photography, and local cuisine.

Suitable for

Orchid enthusiasts, photographers, naturalists, and interested beginners

Activity level

Participants should be healthy and able to walk over uneven terrain. There may be one or two days where participants will walk up to 1-2 miles with some uphill and/or downhill slopes.

Organizer

Orchid Conservation Alliance – Orchids in the Wild™ Ecotours

Who should join this tour?

This tour is designed for people interested in orchids, plants, nature, and photography. You do not need to be an orchid expert. Participants typically range from experienced orchid growers and photographers to nature enthusiasts seeing orchids in the wild for the first time. Solo travelers are welcome.

Health Precautions:

Participants should consult their health provider for the current travel advice for travel to India.

Arrivals and Departures

Participants should plan on arriving on or before April 1 in Delhi. Plan on Departures also from Delhi on or after April 16.

What's Included

Domestic airfare (Delhi-Bagdogra, roundtrip), airport transfers (Delhi and Bagdogra), ground transportation, guides, hotels, meals, travel permits (to Sikkim). Details of the documents needed for Sikkim travel permits will be provided to registered participants once confirmed by our local team.

What's not included

Round trip international airfare, alcoholic beverages, tips, items of a personal nature (e.g. laundry).

Road travel and itinerary flexibility

Travel through Sikkim’s mountain landscapes is an integral part of this tour, and some days involve extended periods in the vehicle. Journey times can vary considerably because of seasonal road conditions, landslides, bridge repairs, and road closures. Our experienced local team will adjust routes, departure times, and sightseeing plans as needed for safety and access. We ask participants to bring flexibility and patience; changes may potentially affect scheduled visits or overnight locations.

Refund policy

The terms of our refund policy are here

Emergency Medical Insurance

All participants are required to have an emergency medical insurance policy that covers the dates of the tour. Further information can be found here

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival around mid day we are met by our guides and set off on the scenic drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. We will have lunch in a local restaurant en route. Upon arrival at our hotel in Gangtok, we will have time to explore the extensive gardens and orchids on the hotel grounds.

After a leisurely late breakfast, we’ll drive toward Pakyong to discover Dendrobium nobile growing in its natural habitat. We’ll then visit ICAR’s National Research Centre for Orchids, where we hope to enjoy a colorful variety of orchids in bloom, including the distinctive slipper orchids Paphiopedilum insigne, P. villosum, and P. fairrieanum. We should also see Paphiopedilum venustum, which while native to Sikkim, has been extirpated in the wild.

On our return journey, we’ll stop at the home of our host, Sailesh Pradhan, to explore his orchid collection and see naturalized orchids growing among the surrounding vegetation. We’ll enjoy lunch at the nursery, with time to take a closer look at his plants and share the morning’s discoveries. Overnight in Gangtok

After a leisurely late breakfast, we’ll explore downtown Gangtok, with time to browse the local shops and enjoy lunch at a city restaurant. We’ll then travel toward Mangan, stopping in the Pangthang area to look for Coelogyne cristata, C. ochracea, Mycaranthes floribunda and Bulbophyllum species in their natural habitats. We’ll arrive in Mangan in the evening and settle into The Planter’s Home for the night.

This region was the original habitat for Paphiopedilum venustum, but habitat degradation and overcollection habitat have resulted in its extinction. However, here we will find many more Dendrobium nobile, as well as spotting other orchids such as Coelogyne flaccida, C. stricta, Cymbidium eburneum, Vanda cristata, Dendrobium aphyllum, and possibly even Cymbidium bicolor. This area also has several terrestrial orchids (Calanthe, Goodyera) and lots of Arisaema species. Overnight at The Planter’s home/Tshana Residency. 

Today we’ll journey to Lachung via Dzongu in North Sikkim, stopping near Chungthang to see Dendrobium nobile, Sikkim’s state flower, growing in its natural habitat. As we climb toward Lachung, the vegetation gradually gives way to mountain forests, with rhododendrons spotted along road and in the surrounding forest.

These higher elevations also provide habitat for Dendrobium candidum and Spathoglottis ixioides. We’ll spend the night at The Yarlam Resort in Lachung, surrounded by the beauty of the eastern Himalayas.

From Lachung as our base, we’ll explore the spectacular Yumthang Valley and Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, where rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and soaring Himalayan peaks provide a beautiful contrast to the orchid habitats at lower elevations. In spring, flowering rhododendrons bring splashes of color to the mountain landscape, making this a highlight for plant lovers and photographers alike. Overnight in Lachung. Lachung is at an elevation of approximately 9000 ft, with the alpine area up to 11,800 feet.

Today we will have more time to explore the forests and alpine areas around Lachung.

Today we start early for a long day of travel toRavangla via Mangan and Singtam, with botanical and cultural stops along the way. After we cross over to the other side of the Teesta river, we pass through an area with abundant Cymbidium eburneum and Dendrobium aphyllum. The journey takes us through Sikkim’s varied landscapes, revealing changing vegetation and mountain scenery as we travel between elevations.

We’ll visit the scenic Temi Tea Estate, renowned for its award-winning organic teas and sweeping green hillsides. Established in 1969 during the reign of Sikkim’s last king, the estate offers a beautiful glimpse into the region’s tea-growing heritage. After lunch and tea tasting, we travel further towards Ravangla. En route, we may see Pleione praecox plants in Quercus trees. We also hope to see some Cymbidium giganteum and Cymbidium elegans in bloom.

In the evening, or in the following morning, we can visit Buddha Park in Ravangla. It features a 130 ft Buddha statue, a striking Buddhist landmark in Sikkim visible from almost everywhere in Ravangla.

The park was developed between 2006 and 2013 to commemorate the 2,550th anniversary of Gautama Buddha’s birth. The 14th Dalai Lama consecrated the statue on March 25, 2013, and the site became part of the Himalayan Buddhist Circuit.

Overnight in Buddha Retreat, Ravangla.

Today we will drive to Yuksom. Yuksom, literally meaning the ‘meeting place of three lamas’ is of great historical importance to the Sikkimese. It was here that the first Chogyal (Sikkim's first king) was crowned in 1642, and it was the first capital of Sikkim.

We’ll begin with a brief visit to Yuksom’s historic Norbugang coronation site before exploring the forest around Dubdi Monastery.

Here, we hope to find half a dozen species of Dendrobium and Coelogyne growing in their natural habitats, with Coelogyne fuscescens and Calanthe biloba potentially in bloom. The walk offers a rewarding combination of Sikkim’s Buddhist heritage, lush forest scenery, and wild orchid discoveries.

We will stay at the lovely Tashighang retreat with its lush orchid rich garden featuring a large specimen of Coelogyne cristata.

This day we will see the wilderness of Yuksom and the route to the famous Dzongri Trek, in the Khangchendzonga National Park. In the morning, if we are lucky, the sky will be clear and we will have an amazing view of Khangchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world.

We hope to see Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epigeneium and possibly sub tropical Vanda species. On the morning walk of approximately 1 mile, we should see spectacular displays of Coelogyne cristata.  Overnight in Yuksom.

Today we will drive to Pelling, a village surrounded by lush greenery with breath-taking views of Mount Kanchenjunga when the skies are clear. Pelling is home to some of the finest monasteries and waterfalls in Sikkim.

The Sanga Choeling Monastery sits high on a forested ridge above Pelling and is one of Sikkim’s oldest Buddhist monasteries. Founded by Lama Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century, it offers a peaceful setting, traditional Buddhist art, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills.

The Pemayangtse Monastery also dates back to the 17th century and is among the most popular spots to visit in Pelling. Colorful figures and artworks embellish this monastery, with the notable feature of the elaborate carved wooden model of Guru Rimpoche. On the top floor is a museum with different Buddhist sacred writings, collectibles, figures and different artistic expressions.

The Rabdentse ruins offer a glimpse into Sikkim’s royal past. The kingdom’s second capital from 1670 to 1814, this historic site preserves stone remains of the former palace and sacred chortens amid a peaceful forest setting. A woodland walk leads to the ruins, where sweeping views of the surrounding valleys—and Khangchendzonga on clear days—add to the atmosphere. On the walk we should find multiple plants of Cymbidium lancifolium (a fall bloomer) as well as some interesting gingers. Overnight in Pelling.

Today we leave Sikkim and  drive to Kalimpong, a scenic hill town in West Bengal state, known for its mild climate, lush valleys, and views of the Eastern Himalayas. On the way we will travel through some orchid rich areas where we could see Chiloschista parishii, Dendrobium fimbriatum, and more Dendrobium nobile

Kalimpong is known for its thriving plant nurseries that showcase orchids, cacti, and other ornamental plants. It's an appealing stop for botanical enthusiasts. On clear days, viewpoints around town offer spectacular views of Khangchendzonga. We will stay at Windsongs/ Holumba Haven Resort, a family run hotel and orchid nursery. This resort features a wonderful, orchid rich garden where one can discover Phalaenopsis lobbii and Ascocentrum ampullaceum in the shrubbery, and a large collection of a new Coelogyne species named for the owner of the hotel , C. pempahisheyana

Today we will visit a nursery which specializes in growing and exporting orchid species from India. There are very few nurseries that have the license to export orchid species with CITES Certificate. They also export flower bulbs of the Himalayas. We will have some free time in the afternoon to explore Kalimpong and do some shopping. Overnight in Kalimpong

After breakfast, we will take a group photo with our drivers, guides and the group, and depart for Bagdogra airport to board the flight for Delhi. We will stop for lunch on the way, and it's likely we will see more Dendrobium aphyllum as we descend to lower elevations. Upon arrival in Delhi, our hotel will meet and assist and then transfer to hotel. Overnight in Delhi.

Photo of our group from 2025 with our guides, drivers and tour coordinators.

Whimsical illustration of orchid explorers heading home with memories of a wonderful adventure

Final departure transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey.

Our trips often fill quickly. If you see that this trip is full, we suggest joining our waitlist. Sometimes people change their mind, or have to cancel for some reason. The date (=order) you joined the waitlist is captured in our system, and should a place become available, we will contact you. Additionally we can adjust the number of double and single occupancy packages available should that option fill. The basic limitation is the total number of participants. Click "ask a question" on this page.

Mr. Sailesh Pradhan-Tour Guide

Mr. Sailesh is a member of Sikkim Orchid Society and is well versed in the field of plants and orchids and has travelled to various countries including France, Japan, Kew (UK) to speak on plants and orchids. He also owns and runs a nursery for both exotics and Himalayan species of orchids and other flowering plants in Gangtok, Sikkim. Sailesh’s father (Keshab Pradhan – now 90 years) is on the conservation committee of the American Orchid Society and is a prolific author on the flora of Sikkim. Sailesh has been guiding tours and treks in Sikkim for about 30 years.

Neelam Basset

Mr. Neelam is our senior guide, with over 30 years of experience. He has been working with Sailesh for about 25 years. He is well versed in the natural habitats, the flora as well as the cultural aspects of Sikkim and will be able to provide a complete experience to the visitors.

We may have an additional guide to assist our travelers.

Dr. Mary Gerritsen-Tour Guide

Mary is the president of the Orchid Conservation Alliance, and frequently leads tours for the OCA. This will be her second trip to Sikkim. Both Sailesh and Neelam were our guides in 2025.