Is Sikkim Like Bhutan?

That’s a very interesting & topical question!
With Bhutan recently increasing their ‘Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)’, for incoming tourist visitors, travellers on lower budgets may find adjacent Sikkim to be a very suitable alternative.
Sikkim, in the north-eastern Indian Himalaya region, actually borders Bhutan and shares similar topography while also being largely a Buddhist area.
Check out this video from Bhutan & Beyond founder, James Irving.
What does a Private Sikkim Experience Offer?
In fact Sikkim is quite similar to Bhutan but with two major differences.
Costs:
The private tour Sikkim & West Bengal travel costs are much lower than similar experiences in Bhutan.
Hotels:
The lead-in hotels in West Bengal & Sikkim are all a higher 4-star standard.
Plus Mix Sikkim with our other India private tours!
James & Nicola, travel experts at Bhutan & Beyond, can easily mix a number of our India tours together, usually quite seamlessly.
Golden Triangle – 6 nts
Agra, Jaipur & Delhi plus option to add 2 nts at Ranthambore National Park for tiger safaris.
Article by James Irving – India, Nepal & Bhutan Travel Expert
![]() | James has worked in the travel industry for over 40 years & has been involved in the leisure, corporate, group, sport, incentive & wholesale travel genres. James loves rugby union, and keenly supports the Queensland Reds and the Australian Wallabies. |
