Dzongu itself is a protected area, reserved for the Lepcha community, and exploring its villages and forests is the main draw. For wider exploration, Gangtok is the hub.
From Gangtok, you can arrange a day trip to Tsomgo Lake (also called Changu Lake), about 40km away. It sits at 12,400 ft and is often frozen solid in winter. A permit is required. Nearby Rumtek Monastery, 24km from Gangtok, is the seat of the Karmapa and a significant centre for Tibetan Buddhism.
For the famous Yumthang Valley, the ‘valley of flowers’, you’ll need a separate North Sikkim permit, usually arranged in Gangtok. The valley is best visited out of Lachung. Further afield in West Sikkim, Pelling offers incredible, direct views of Kanchenjunga and is home to the historic Pemayangtse and Sanga Choeling monasteries. For serious trekkers, the Goecha La trek to the Kanchenjunga base camp starts from Yuksom in West Sikkim.
The most reliable airport is Bagdogra (IXB) in West Bengal, about 124km away. From there, it's a 4-5 hour drive to Gangtok. Sikkim's own airport, Pakyong (PYG), is closer to Gangtok (30km) but flights are often diverted to Bagdogra due to weather. The nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), 122km from Gangtok. From Gangtok or Mangan, the host can help arrange a small car transfer directly to the home.
The best seasons for Sikkim are spring and autumn. March to May is rhododendron season, when the hillsides are in bloom. October to mid-December offers crisp air and the clearest mountain views after the monsoon has washed the skies. The monsoon season (June to September) sees heavy rain, and roads in North Sikkim are often closed due to landslides.