National park · India
Khangchendzonga National Park
Enter Khangchendzonga NP for a day hike to the Zemu Glacier (2–3 h) or a multi‑day trek to the summit (requires permit, guide, 7–10 d). Pay entry fee at the park gate; best months are Oct–Mar, avoid monsoon July–Sep.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
550 km² (212 sq mi)212 sq mi (550 km²)
approximate
Established
1977
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 550 km² (212 sq mi)212 sq mi (550 km²)
- Officially listed as 550 km²; some sources separate the core protected zone (≈ 450 km²) from the surrounding buffer area (≈ 100 km²) – check for the exact figure used in permits.
- Established
- 1977
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Gangtok
Khangchendzonga National Park protects the highest peaks of the Indian Himalaya, including the 8,586 m Khangchendzonga summit and the 26 km Zemu Glacier, offering high‑altitude trekking, glacier scenery and rare wildlife such as snow leopards; UNESCO inscribed it in 2009 as part of the Sikkim Himalayan Region.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2009Khangchendzonga National Park & Sikkim Himalayan Region.
Size and age
550 km² (212 sq mi)212 sq mi (550 km²) · national park since 1977
Officially listed as 550 km²; some sources separate the core protected zone (≈ 450 km²) from the surrounding buffer area (≈ 100 km²) – check for the exact figure used in permits.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Gangtok.
Why go
- High‑altitude trekking on the third‑highest mountain in the world.
- Glacier scenery including the 26 km (16 mi) Zemu Glacier.Glacier scenery including the 16 mi (26 km) Zemu Glacier.
- Rare wildlife such as snow leopards and musk deer.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JunMonsoon start
- JulHeavy rain, landslides
- AugHeavy rain, landslides
- SepRainy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow leopardOct–Mar · Very rare, sightings unpredictable. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Musk deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Himalayan tahrAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Gangtok
Taxi or shared jeep 30 km (19 mi) to the park gate (approx. 1 h).Taxi or shared jeep 19 mi (30 km) to the park gate (approx. 1 h).
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Siliguri (Bengal)
Train or bus to New Jalpaiguri, then taxi to Gangtok and onward.
4–5 h total
Open the page →
From Bagdogra Airport
Taxi to Siliguri then follow above route.
≈5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, basic facilities. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Zemu Glacier area | Glacier walk, viewpoints, short treks. | Guided walks from gate. |
| Summit region | Khangchendzonga summit, high‑altitude camps. | Permit + guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; gate location approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gate) | INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4) | person | 2026 estimate |
| Guided summit trek (permit + guide) | INR 15,000–25,000 (≈ US$180–300) | group | Check with Sikkim Forest Dept. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Summit trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200–300≈ US$3–4
- ₹15,000–25,000≈ US$180–300
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission from park authorities.check
- Guides
- Mandatory for any trek beyond the Zemu Glacier area and for summit attempts.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated camps with permit; open‑air camping elsewhere forbidden.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use portable stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no disposal in the wild.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gangtok hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels 30 km (19 mi) from gate.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels 19 mi (30 km) from gate.
Near the park
Tsomgo‑area homestays
Basic rooms for trekkers, limited facilities.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Landslides during monsoon medium
Cold weather at summit medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by vehicle; short walks are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Higher altitude trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use permits to limit visitor numbers.
- Support local homestays and purchase food locally.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Khangchendzonga National Park?
Entry fee is INR 200–300 per person at the gate; guided summit treks cost INR 15,000–25,000 per group (permit and guide).
What are the best hikes in Khangchendzonga National Park?
Day hike to Zemu Glacier (2–3 h) and the multi‑day summit trek (7–10 d) are the main routes; both require a permit, the summit trek also needs a licensed guide.
When is the best time to visit Khangchendzonga National Park?
October to March offers clear weather and stable trails; July–September is monsoon season with high landslide risk.
Do I need a guide for any trek?
Yes, any trek beyond the Zemu Glacier area, including the summit, requires a licensed guide and a permit.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Designated camps are available with a permit; most visitors stay in Gangtok or nearby homestays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Khangchendzonga National Park
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