Short-term rental in Sikkim

Sikkim is a small Himalayan state where tourism is central to the economy. Gangtok is the hub, with visitors using it as a base for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula and North Sikkim, while monasteries, cardamom villages and trekking routes draw travellers further afield. Domestic families from eastern India make up much of the demand, alongside honeymooners and a smaller group of international visitors who need permits for certain areas.

Mountain seasons

Spring, when the rhododendrons bloom, and the clear autumn months are the peaks. The monsoon brings heavy rain and landslide risk, and deep winter narrows access to higher areas. Guests value warmth, reliable hot water, views and help with local transport and permits. Village homestays, family-run guesthouses and apartments in Gangtok are the usual formats.

Rules to know

Sikkim has regulated homestays since the Sikkim Registration of Homestay Establishment Rules, 2013, administered by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. Registration with the department is required. The state has made clear that homestay owners may not lease or rent their unit to any third party; homestays are meant to be run personally by the local owner.

This framework leaves little room for third-party management of a homestay. We do not offer that in Sikkim, and owners considering any other form of accommodation should first ask the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department what applies to their property.

Sources: Sikkim Registration of Homestay Establishment Rules, 2013; Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim; ThePrint (report on the ban on leasing homestays).

Areas in Sikkim

Useful for owners in Sikkim