Phodong Monastery, about 38 km north of Gangtok, was founded in the early 18th century and is one of the six major monasteries of Sikkim, belonging to the Kagyu order. Rebuilt after an earthquake, it has fine old murals and houses around 260 monks. The older Labrang monastery stands a little further up the hill.

Seven Sisters Waterfall is on the North Sikkim Highway about 32 km from Gangtok. The water drops in several distinct tiers down a wide cliff, best seen after the monsoon when all the streams are flowing. A footbridge and a small viewing shed stand at the base beside the road. Most trips to north Sikkim stop here.

Lachung is a mountain village at about 2,700 metres in north Sikkim, split by its river and overlooked by waterfalls and snow peaks. It is the overnight base for Yumthang Valley and Zero Point. The village has an old Nyingma monastery among apple orchards and follows a traditional system of self-government called the Dzumsa.

Yumthang, at about 3,560 metres, is a wide grazing valley in north Sikkim known as the valley of flowers. In late spring its meadows fill with primulas and other alpine flowers, and the Shingba sanctuary on the approach has many kinds of rhododendron. A river runs through the valley and a hot spring lies nearby. It is reached from Lachung and is snowbound in winter.

Zero Point, or Yumesamdong, at about 4,700 metres, is where the road beyond Yumthang ends, close to the Tibetan border. Three rivers meet in a bare, snow-streaked landscape, and snow lies on the ground for much of the year. Stalls sell tea and noodles. The altitude makes visits short. It needs a separate permit added to the Yumthang trip.

Gurudongmar, at about 5,180 metres in north Sikkim, is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is sacred to Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus; a portion is said never to freeze after being blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. The milky-blue lake lies on a bare plateau below snow peaks. It is reached from Lachen before dawn; the thin air allows only a short stay.