PLACES TO VISIT IN GANGTOK

 GANGTOK: THE HEAVEN OF TRANQUILNESS IN THE NORTHEAST

Gangtok, the present-day capital of Sikkim, is a small Himalayan town with countless attractions such as green valleys and misty mountains. The neat and clean city is so peaceful as ones want it to be and as pleasing as one's heart wants to see. Tourists and travelers from all across the globe frequently visits this place to just have a glimpse of the majestic snow- capped Himalayas. The city spreads over a forested mountain that faces the snow-capped Kanchenjunga peak, where you can just stare far away into horizon while your self-introspect and spend some time alone. With this cold cozy weather, this spot is ideal for couples, solo-travelling and even too with families.

How to reach Gangtok?

You can reach Gangtok from Bagdogra, Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, NJP. Gangtok is located about 125 km from Bagdogra Airport and 120 km from NJP,  But now, the journey is much more easier as Sikkim has opened its own airport at Pakyong which has now reduced the distance to 26.6km. The Pakyong Airport is located at an altitude of 4646 feet and is one of the five highest airports in India. This airport is still not fully functional and you can just take flights from New Delhi and Kolkata. Private taxis are available and it takes about 1 hour to reach. For more affordable options, you can always opt for bus or jeeps from Siliguri Bus Stand for Gangtok. By car, Gangtok is 96 km from Darjeeling( approx 4hr) and from Kalimpong, it is 75km (approx 3 hr drive).

Teesta River along Siliguri- Gangtok Route

Best Season to reach Gangtok:

The weather of Gangtok is kind of like that of Darjeeling. this is often sometimes one in all the explanations why these 2 places are often visited together. Like most of other hill stations, Gangtok also experiences a pleasant cold cozy weather with drizzles.

During the spring season i.e. March to mid- April, the weather is quite good with pleasant air all around but not chilling cold. One can easily move around without carrying any winter garments. Above all, you can get a clear view of the Kanchenjunga. The summer season, i.e. mid-April to Mid June, weather is comfortable and perfect for sightseeing. The Monsoon season, i.e. end June to September is not at all ideal to visit Gangtok as heavy rains are expected which can result to landslides. The Autumn season i.e. October to November is the best season according to me to visit Gangtok. The weather remains pleasant for sightseeing and also perfect for seeing the snow-covered Himalayas. The winter season, December to February, is also not so much convenient. Temperature is below 4 degrees and the high altitude places are often restricted as the roads are blocked due to snowfall.

Image collected from Travel Triangle

Places to visit in Gangtok:

There are a number of traveler points of interest in and round Gangtok consisting of lovely monasteries, waterfalls and viewpoints. Here, we've got given some of the essential points of interest and locations to go to in Gangtok.  

1) M G Marg

This is the most happening place on the town with hogging of food, gambling in casinos or relaxing. It is a pleasant walking street with dim lighting, with out a vehicles, rowdy traffic or garbage. Once you go to MG Marg, you may actually recognize that you are in a separate place and now no longer any crowded Indian city.

2) Bakthang Waterfall:

Image collected from Trawell

This exquisite waterfall is positioned at the North Sikkim Highways closer to the Tashi View Point 4 km from Gangtok. The waterfall is fed by Ratey Chu River which originates from the glacial lake known as Tamze at an altitude of 12500 feet. There is a rope sliding(for Rs 100 each) , despite the fact that the trip is for simply few seconds. There are a few stores here, from wherein you could get dressed up in Dumyam that is known as the traditional of Lepcha community in Sikkim. It takes only 20 minutes from MG Marg by taxi alongside NH10.

3)Flower Exhibition Centre, Ridge Park and White Hall

Image collected from E Sikkim tourism

Ridge Park is a stunning lawn that boasts of Himalayan orchids and shrubs that Sikkim is so well-known for.  It is only a fifteen minutes walk from M.G. Marg in Gangtok.

The White Hall is a ancient  storey building of British architecture constructed in 1932 in reminiscence of the primary British Political Officer Sir James Claude White. The Flower Exhibition Centre simply adjacent to the White Hall is the place that attracts a huge wide variety of site visitors during the annual flower exhibition. The great time to go to the place is during the spring season between April and May. The International Flower Festival at Gangtok, held in May each year, takes location here.  

Ridge Park is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

4) Rumtek Monastery

   Image collected from Traveltriangle

Rumtek Monastery also known as Dharmachakra Centre is a prime tourist’s attraction. This monastery is a place where you can witness and explore the Buddhist religion in practice. and is also renowned for being Sikkim’s largest monastery. It is located 23km from the main city. Being located at a hill top, one can have a very amazing view of the city. There you can find several wall paintings, murals etc and 1001 miniature golden models of Buddha.

5)Lingdum Monastery

                                                                  Image collected from Astrolika.com

Lingdum Monastery or Ranka Monastery is located 20 km from main city  and is considered to be the most beautiful in East Sikkim. This monastery is surrounded by forested mountains and have several intricated paintings on the wall. This two-storeyed building has a huge courtyard and on the upper level of the building lies a huge idol of Buddha.

6)Tashi View Point

                                                               Image collected from Exotic Miles

Tashi View Point is situated 8 km far away from central Gangtok; Tashi View point is most scenic beauty from where travelers can get a view of the magnificent Mount Sinilochu and Mount Kanchenjunga. You don't need to pay any visiting charge but you can pay Rs 10 and see the surrounding hills with the help of a binocular present over there. There is a shop which offers tea, coffee, snacks and also some gift things. 

7) Ganesh Tok

                                                                    Image collected from Trawell

Ganesh Tok is a small temple and additionally a view Point is a prime vacationer appeal of Gangtok, Sikkim. It is placed near Tashi View Point at an altitude of 6,500 Ft. and adjoining to the large TV Tower of Gangtok, Sikkim. Tourists revel in top notch perspectives of the Gangtok Town from Ganesh Tok View Point.

There is a round balcony across the temple and a viewing front room to soak withinside the panoramic view of massive inexperienced expanses, the Raj Bhavan complex and the complete metropolis of Gangtok in all its grandeur.

8) Hanuman Tok

                                                                 Image collected from tourmyindia

Hanuman Tok is devoted to Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey God. It is a temple complex that is swarmed by devotees from all around the country. This shrine in Sikkim is positioned 11 kms from Gangtok,on the street to another well-known attraction, Nathula. The legends has it, Hanuman flew right all the way down to this very spot to rest whilst flying with Sanjeevani (herb) Mountain from the Himalayas to Lanka to keep Lord Rama's brother, Lakshman. There is also a small temple of Saibaba close to the Hanuman Temple. Hanuman Tok is presently sorted via way of means of the Indian Army.

9) Ban Jhakri Waterfall and Energy Park

Banjhakri Waterfall is a natural waterfall cascades down from a peak of approximately 70 feet. At a distance of 7 km from Gangtok SNT Bus Station, Banjhakri Waterfalls is a scenic waterfalls positioned inside a landscaped park in Gangtok. Situated close to Ranka Monastery, it is one of the most visited traveller locations in Gangtok and among the best waterfalls to visit in Sikkim Tourism. Spread over an area of 2 acres, Banjhakri Energy Park has been constructed close to the falls. Also called Energy Park, the gardens had been superbly landscaped around the waterfalls and the region is further embellished with numerous statues of Banjhakri, Lyam Lymay, Mangpas and Lepcha ancestors. The region is perfect for enjoying a stroll and spending a while amid tranquility with buddies and family.  You want an entry charge of Rs 50 per person to visit there.

Gangtok Sightseeing Packages

Gangtok has so many scenic beauties to offer, there are several sightseeing places. You can always take local cars or taxis for that. There are packages such as 3-point tour, 7- point tour and 10- point tour. You can always hire cars and talk with the driver and sort that out about the places. Here, I am mentioning some general places that are visited in these tours.

# 3- point tour( takes about half- a day) 

• Tashi View Point
• Hanuman Tok
• Ganesh Tok

The tentative cost of small taxi rentals may be around 1500 on high seasons and 1000-1200 on off seasons.

# 7- point tour( takes half day)

• Tashi View Point
• Hanuman Tok
• Ganesh Tok
• Bakthang Waterfall
• Ramtek Monastery
• Flower Exhibition
• Enchey Monastery

The tentative cost of small taxi rentals may be around 2000 on high seasons and 1500-1800 on off seasons.

#10- point tour( half day to full day)

• Tashi View Point
• Hanuman Tok
• Ganesh Tok
• Bakthang Waterfall
• Ramtek Monastery
• Flower Exhibition
• Enchey Monastery
• Drodun Chorten
• Institute of Tibetology
• Ropeway or Cable Car

The tentative cost of small taxi rentals may be around Rs 2500 on high seasons and Rs1800-2000 on off seasons for half day and for full day it is around Rs 3500 on high seasons and Rs 2800-3000 on off seasons.

Day Trip to Nathu La

The most famous whole day trips from Gangtok is to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass.

Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake that is popularly known as Changu Lake is one of high altitude (12400 feet) in India that is located 40 Kms away from city at Gangtok – Nathu La highway. From Gangtok that is at 5410 feet, the altitude rises to approximately 10,000 feet in only 38 km, and takes around 2-3 hours through a good vehicle. A visit to the lake requires a special allow permit from the Tourism Office in Gangtok. The permit may be organized via way of means of a tour agent for a small fee, and there are lots of taxis and shared taxis available for a visit to Tsomgo Lake. There are some dhabas close to Tsomgo Lake serving maggi and other fast food, and additionally stores that promote woollens.

Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple

Located between Nathula and past at an altitude of 13,1233 ft and about 52 km from Gangtok Baba Harbhajan Singh temple is known as Baba Mandir. One usually covers this Temple along with a visit to Tsomgo and Nathula Pass.

There is a touching story associated with this temple. Harbhajan Singh was it sentry of Punjab Regiment and was posted here as a part of border Patrol force. The border with China is nearby. In October 1968 he disappeared. It is say that while escorting mules carrying provisions, he fell into a stream and drowned. After a few days he we reappeared in the dreams of one of his sentry colleague and asked him to make a memorial here on his name.

Nathu La

Nathu La is a mountain pass that become part of the old trade route among India and China. Nathula Pass is placed on the Indo-Chinese border at an altitude of 14,140 ft. Permits are required to go to the Nathu La which may be received from the Gangtok DC office.

It additionally gives the breathtaking view of the snow blanketed mountains under the mild blue sky and the lengthy winding roads. Nathu la gives the spell binding view of Chumbi valley of Tibet, guarded by mountains. Summer, between the months of May to October is the suitable season to visit here. Nathula Pass is open only for Indian nationals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It stays completely covered under snow in the course of winters and the temperature drops down to -25 º Celsius.

Tentative fare for car

• Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir- Rs 5000-6000
• Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathu La- Rs 8000-9000

Day trip to Zero- point

Located at a height of 15,300 feet, there is no reason to visit Yumesamdong than for the sheer gorgeousness of its landscape. It has earned the nickname, Zero Point, since it is here that the road comes to a literal end. The Indo-Chinese border is a stone’s throw away from Yumesamdong and tourists are not allowed to go any further beyond this point. Zero Point is also very close to Dongkha La, a mountain pass that opens towards Tibet as well the splendid Tso Lhamo Lake. Yumsesamdong is usually covered as a park of a three-point tour that takes you across North Sikkim to Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Yumesamdong/Zero Point. Only government registered vehicles are allowed in this part of Sikkim. The best way is to halt at Lachung overnight and head to Yumsesamdong early next morning. The trip to Zero point is not advisable for people suffering from breathing difficulties for it might lead to altitude sickness. Wear adequate warm clothing. However, you will still need to rent a pair of snow boots, gloves and overcoats. All are available for rent at Yumthang Market, which is on the way to Zero Point.

Food at Gangtok

Gangtok is a place for foodies. You will find great Tibetan and Sikkimese cuisine all over the place. Momos and Thukpa are best there. There are several restaurants over there serving authentic Tibetan, Sikkimese as well as Bengali food.

Some few famous restaurants over there are Cafe Live and Loud, Taste of Tibet, Nimtho, Shuffle Momos and many others.

On a conclusion, Gangtok, as well as entire Sikkim is one of the safest places to visit in India. The people are helpful and the crime rate is also quite low there. Gangtok is also one of the safest places for women travellers. March to June is the best time to visit Gangtok and it is also the peak season. The weather is cool and is perfect for those who want to beat the heat of the plains. The months of October and November are also a good time to visit Gangtok. Usually 4-5 days is enough for exploring the scenic beauty of Gangtok. Om one day, you can cover the major sightseeing spot around the city, the next day you can cover the way to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, and Nathula. And you willl need another 2 days to visit Lachung and Zero- Point. M.G.Marg is the best place to stay at Gangtok.  There are numerous hotels you can find at different budget range and there are several restaurants present over there also. Gangtok usually doesn,t get snowfall but you will definitely find snow covered places at high altitudes starting from Tsomgo  Lake and all around the Zero- Point.