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Step 1
Arrive in Delhi. This is home to the region's largest international airport. Economy round-trip flights to Delhi from New York typically cost between $850 and $1,500, depending on the carrier and the time of year.
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Step 2
Board a train to Siliguri. Any cab driver in Delhi can take you to the city's central train station. The train ride will take about 20 hours and will cost between $20 and $80 or more, depending on the level of luxury you desire.
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Step 3
Catch a shared jeep to Darjeeling. These can be found just outside of the train station and usually cost between $10 and $30, depending on the jeep and how full it is. The ride takes about three hours.
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Step 4
Obtain a Restricted Area Permit for entrance into Sikkim. This is done by visiting the Deputy Commissioner's Office, in the northwest section of town (any Darjeeling cab driver can tell you how to get there, or take you there themselves). Processing the permit can take between 1 and 3 days, so apply for a permit on your first day if time is an issue.
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Step 5
Catch a shared jeep from Darjeeling to Gangtok. This will typically cost you between $5 and $15, depending on the jeep. The ride takes about five hours--but is well worth the trip, as you ascend and descend and ascend again through the various foothill valleys. You'll be required to show your permit at the Sikkim border.
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Step 6
Enjoy Gangtok! Be sure to take in the several large monasteries in and around the town, stroll the steep streets, challenge yourself with one of many day-hikes in the area, and enjoy the unobstructed views of Kanchenjunga, third-highest mountain on earth.
