A helicopter ride is one of the most memorable things you can do in Sikkim. On a clear day you fly over Gangtok's ridges, the Rumtek valley and the Teesta river with the Kanchenjunga range on the horizon. Many of our guests – families, children and senior citizens alike – add a joy ride to their Gangtok sightseeing day, and Jigar Doshi arranges the booking for them.
Helicopter services in Sikkim are run by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), a Government of Sikkim undertaking, from the helipad near Gangtok.
Two ways to fly
| Service | What it is | Flight time | Recent fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangtok joy ride | A scenic circuit over Gangtok and the surrounding valleys, returning to the same helipad | About 15–20 minutes | About ₹3,000 per person |
| Bagdogra – Gangtok transfer | Scheduled flight between Bagdogra Airport and Gangtok instead of the 4–5 hour drive | About 35 minutes | About ₹3,100 per person, one way |
Fares as reported in late 2025 and 2026 (STDC reduced the Bagdogra–Gangtok fare from ₹4,500 to ₹3,100). Fares, schedules and baggage rules change – we confirm the current fare when you book.
Things to know before you book
- Weather decides. Flights operate only in clear weather and are often cancelled or delayed in mist and rain, especially from June to September. Keep the joy ride on a flexible day.
- Seats are limited. The helicopter carries only a few passengers per flight, so book a few days ahead in peak season (April–June and October–November).
- Light luggage only on the Bagdogra transfer – the baggage allowance is small. Your main luggage can come up by car.
- Weight and ID. Passenger weight may be recorded for the seating plan. Carry photo ID.
- Children and seniors usually enjoy the ride; tell us about any medical condition in advance.
More adventure in Sikkim
Apart from helicopter rides, we can arrange the other favourite activities of our guests:
- Paragliding over Gangtok, with short and longer flights
- River rafting on the Teesta and Rangit rivers
- Gangtok ropeway over the town
- Yak rides at Tsomgo Lake
- Toy train joy ride in Darjeeling (book on IRCTC)
These are charged separately from tour packages. Ask us for current charges.
Book your helicopter ride with us
Tell us your Gangtok dates and the number of passengers. We check availability with STDC, fit the flight into your sightseeing plan and keep a back-up plan ready in case of bad weather. Stay at our Tip Top Guest House Gangtok and we handle everything from the hotel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helicopter ride in Gangtok cost?
Recently about ₹3,000 per person for the Gangtok joy ride and about ₹3,100 per person one way for Bagdogra–Gangtok. Fares change, so contact us for the current rate.
How long is the Gangtok helicopter joy ride?
About 15–20 minutes over Gangtok and the surrounding valleys.
Do helicopter flights run in the monsoon?
Only in clear weather. From June to September flights are often cancelled because of rain and mist.
Who operates helicopter services in Sikkim?
Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), a Government of Sikkim undertaking. We help our guests book.
Read next
Updated October 2026 by the Tip Top Group team.