Orchids of Sikkim
While just over 700 kms2, Sikkim has a tremendous range of climate and habitats, varying from tropical to subtropical to temperate to alpine zones. The lowest areas are about 500 meters above sea level, and the highest point is Mt. Khangchendzonga (at 8,586 m, the 3rd highest mountain in the world). Sikkim is the most humid region in the range of the Himalaya due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, and direct exposure to the south-west monsoons. Most of the inner valleys receive 200-500 cm of rain per year. Sikkim is a biodiversity hotspot, with over 4450 species of flowering plants, belonging to 1371 genera and 197 different families! Predominant genera include Rhododendron (38 different species!), Pedicularis (47 species), Gentians (32 species), Swertia (17 species), Primulas (58 different species). The major orchid genera include Bulbophyllum (46 species), Calanthe (21 species), Coelogyne (18 species), and Dendrobium (36 species). Sadly, the habitats are slowly dwindling due to human activities, and this is an opportunity for visitors to see them in situ before many of the species are permanently extirpated.
Our tour guides have taken care to identify special habitats of orchids in Sikkim. Most of the habitats we will visit are close to motorable roads and one does not have to go to deep forests and dangerous cliffs etc. to view the orchids in habitats. Hence, there are no major physical difficulties to overcome in order to see a large number of orchid species. Our guides have indicated that this tour is suitable for both elderly as well as people with limited fitness, although there may be certain sites where this may not be the case. The tour guides have selected the hotels and based on travellers who appreciate nature and biodiversity – especially orchids. During the tour, the vehicles will stop at various locations and the guides will take tour participants for short walks from the roads in a completely natural setting. Sometimes the packed lunch would be provided in such wilderness setting. All transportation would be in a Toyota Innova or an equivalent vehicle. 3 persons + driver in each car (1 as the co-driver and 3 in the second seat) – the last row would only be used for luggage and extra guides or staff.
Minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 12 (including the OCA tour leader).
Dates & Prices
Dates: April 1-16, 2027
Deposit Due Date: December 15, 2026
Final Payments Due: February 15, 2027
Price: $4750 Double Occupancy $5250 Single Occupancy
Tour size: Minimum number of participants, 6. Maximum number of participants, 12.
Price includes: Hotels, meals, transportation (in country), internal airfares from Delhi to Bagdora, guides, entrance to parks and reserves. Price does NOT include round trip airfare from home country to Delhi, hotels nights pre and post tour, alcoholic beverages, tips, souvenirs, items of a personal nature.
Conservation donation: $1000 pp (estimated). A donation based on the profit (~$1000 per person) is donated to The Orchid Conservation Alliance. The Orchid Conservation Alliance is a 501(c)3 organization, and for USA residents, the donation may be tax deductible. A formal acknowledgement is sent to each participant at year end.
Physical requirements for the trip: Participants should be healthy and able to walk some distance (1/2 mile – 3 mile) without difficulty. Terrain may be uneven, and will require some uphill and/or downhill walking. If you have concerns or questions, please contact: mary@orchidconservationalliance.org
Health Precautions: Vaccinations or boosters for diptheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid recommended. Covid 19 vaccines should be up to date and are mandatory for OCA tours. Also recommended: pneumonia, meningitis, shingles, MMR, cholera. Participants are suggested to contact their health provider for the most up to date recommendations for travel to India.
Tour Leaders: Sailesh Pradhan, Neelam Basnett and Mary Gerritsen
Other Information: US Passport holders will need a visa. Visa’s can be obtained online: https://india.visaonlinegov.org/apply-visa
DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Today everyone arrives in Delhi. Upon arrival, meet and assist and then transfer to your hotel. O/N in Hotel (D)
DAY 02: FLY DELHI/BAGDOGRA & DRIVE GANGTOK (125 KMS/05 HRS)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival @ around midday meet and assist. Lunch in a local restaurant and drive to Gangtok. O/N in Hotel (B + L + D).
DAY 03: GANGTOK
After a late breakfast, we will drive towards Pakyong. . We will see some habitats of Dendrobium Nobile and we will visit The National Research Centre for Orchids of the ICAR (Indian Council of agriculture research). We are likely to see a lot of orchid species in bloom such as Paphiodedilums insigne, velosum and fairrieanum in bloom. On the way back, we will visit a Sailesh’s nursery and see some naturalized species.Lunch at the Nursery
DAY 04: GANGTOK TO MANGAN: (60 kms/ 3 hours drive)
After a late breakfast, we will visit the downtown area of Gangtok and visit the local shopping areas. Lunch at a restaurant downtown. We will proceed towards Mangan while seeing habitats of Coelogyne cristata and ochracea and bulbophyllums in Pangthang areas. Reach Mangan in the evening and stay at The Planter’s home.
DAY 05: MANGAN
Today we will visit the wilderness. Drive from Mangan after breakfast. This area is the original habitat for Paphiopedilum Venustum (Lady slipper Orchid). However, there has been much destruction of this habitat and is now extinct in the wild. We hope to see other Orchids like Cymbidiums, Dendrobium, Phaius and Bulbophyllum etc species. Stay at The Planter’s home/ Tshana Residency.
DAY 06: MANGAN – LACHUNG (60 KMS/03 HRS)
Today we drive to Lachung via Dzongu (North Sikkim). On this day near Chungthang, we will show you the habitats of Dendrobium Nobile which is the state flower of Sikkim. Overnight at The Yarlam Resort in Lachung. This is high elevation and the habitat of dendrobium candidum, Spathoglottis ixioides.
DAY 07: LACHUNG
Look for orchids around the area.
DAY 08: LACHUNG & YUMTHANG – LACHUNG
Today we will tour around Lachung and Yumthang Valley. This area is the habitat of over 25 species of rhododendrons among the 40 in Sikkim. We will also see a lot of primulas, arisaemas, daphne, cardiocrinum etc. We could find Satyrium nepalense orchid and sunipia orchid species in bloom.
DAY 09 : LACHUNG – RAVANGLA (120 KMS/05 to 06 HRS)
Today we start early for a long drive to Ravangla via Mangan and Singtam. We can see Trans Country of Sikkim on this day with various altitude changes.On the way we will see the famous Temi Tea Estate (where we will have lunch) and further on you will see Pleione precox in bloom in Quercus trees. We will also hopefully see some Cymbidium giganteum and Cymbidium elegans in bloom. O/N in Buddha Retreat. (B + L + D).
DAY 10: RAVANGLA – YUKSOM (60 KMS/03 HRS)
Today we will drive to Yuksom. After lunch we will see the wilderness areas around Dubdi Monastery. We will hope to see half a dozen species of Dendrobium and Coel species. We are likely to see Coelogyne fuscescens,calanthe biloba in bloom. O/N in Tashigang Hotel. (B + L + D).
DAY 11: YUKSOM
This day we will see the wilderness of Yuksom on route to the famous Dzongri Trek, in the Khangchendzonga National Park. We expect to see Cymbidium, Dendrobiums, Coelogyne and sub tropical vanda species. Likely to witness Coelogyne nitida and barbata and calanthe species in bloom. O/N in the hotel. (B + L + D).
DAY 12: YUKSOM – PELLING (40 KMS/02 HRS)
Today we will drive to Pelling. We will see the Pemayangtse Monastery and the wilderness areas around the place with a hope to sight some interesting Coelogyne plants in bloom. This is the habitat area of Cymbidium longifolium O/N in Hotel Norbugang. (B + L + D).
DAY 13: PELLING – KALIMPONG (110 KMS/05 to 06 HRS)
Today we will drive to Kalimpong via Jorethang. O/N in Windsongs/ Holumba Haven Resort. (B + L + D).
DAY 14: KALIMPONG
Today we will visit a couple of Nurseries which specialize in growing and exporting Orchids 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. O/N in the hotel. (B + L + D).
DAY 15: KALIMPONG – BAGDOGRA AIRPORT
After breakfast, drive to Bagdogra airport to board flight for Delhi. Enroute lunch on the way. Upon arrival, meet and assist and then transfer to hotel. (B + L + D)
DAY 16: DEPART DELHI
Final departure transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey.
Mr. Sailesh Pradhan
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.
Mr. Neelam Basnett
Mr. Neelam is also a 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 as well as the cultural aspects of Sikkim and will be able to provide a complete experience to the visitors.
Dr. Mary Gerritsen
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.
