India /Sikkim /East Sikkim /Gangtok

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim is all about culture, panorama and monasteries. Often termed as ‘Lofty Hill’, the city is popular for its 1716 built Gangtok Monastery. Tourist can enjoy some of the best nature created scenery in Gangtok. Pay a visit to the Dul-Dul Chorten and Labrang Monastery. The Deer Park and Kangchendzonga National Park are haven for those wanting to see some unique flora and fauna. Some other famous attraction in Gangtok includes Kechopari Lake, Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs, Kabi Longstok, Rumtek Monastery, Tsomgo Lake and Yumey-Samdong hot springs. Shopping for wooden handicrafts and bags and carpets should not be missed. Popular excursion from Gangtok is to Changu Lake, Chungthang, Hanuman Tok and Phoodong Monastery among others. Trekking is a wonderful adventure option but one requires permits in order to explore the area. April to Mid June and September to November is the ideal time to visit the city.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Hill Station

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 737101

STD Code: 3592

Info Website: sikkimtourism.gov.in

Best Time to Visit:  Sept – Jun

HistoryEdit

Gangtok, the capital of sikkim, sprawls down the west side of a long ridge flanking River Ranipul. The entire Kanchenjunga range is worshipped as a local deity hear. In Gangtok, You Can see a smooth Blend of tradition and modernity. Located at an altitude of 1,547m above sea level, Gangtok offers unspoilt natural beauty, Peaceful monasteries and stupas. It has many fine hotels filled with visitors. The list of attractions in Gangtok is endless. The small town itself is a beautiful place to move around.

Places to VisitAdd

Gangtok Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 124 km from Gangtok. The taxi fare from the airport to Gangtok is about Rs 2,000. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad. Helicopter services are available from Bagdogra to Gangtok, only once during a day. It takes about 20 minutes to cover one way journey and cost Rs 3,000 per person.

By Train : The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri, which is nearly 148 km away from Gangtok. Taxi cab will charge about Rs 2,000. This is well connected to most of the major cities in India.

By BUS : The Gangtok city is well connected to other cities in Sikkim and the neighboring states by bus services. Private tourist buses are available from Gangtok to Bagdogra (124 km, Rs 600) and to Siliguri (114 km, Rs 500).

By Taxi : Every taxi carries a chart for all major points in the city. There are points within the city where the taxis ply and from there to other places, fares are already fixed.

By Other : N.A

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Hotel Sagorika ; Upper Aithang Road, Near Old Private Taxi Stand , Gangtok, SK 737101 ‎ ; Ph – 03592 206 958 ; Facilities – Traval service, laundry, safety deposit lockers, currency exchanger, parking facillity, business centre, Wi-Fi, 24 hours room service.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Mist Tree Mountain ; Hospital Point,, Paljor Stadium Rd, Gangtok, SK 737101 ‎ ; Ph – 03592 205 489 ; Facilities – 24 hours running H/C water, telephone with STD/ISD, TV, channel music, 24 hours room service, laundry, parking facillity, business centre, Wi-Fi, 24 hours room service.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Delamere Hotel; Church Rd, Arithang, Gangtok SK-737102 ; Ph – 097 33 000060 ; Facilities – 24 hours running H/C water, telephone with STD/ISD, TV, channel music, 24 hours room service, laundry, all major credit cards accepted.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Hotel The Royal Plaza ; Upper Syari, Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102 ; Ph – 03592 281 571 ; Facilities – Traval service, laundry, safety deposit lockers, currency exchanger, parking facillity, business centre, Wi-Fi, 24 hours room service, H/C running Water.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Parivar Restaurant ;  Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Arithang, Gangtok, SK ; M –  3952-227409,224088 ; Food Serve :  Multi-cuisine(Vegetarian)
• Oberoi Building
  ;  Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Vishal Gaon, Gangtok, SK ; M –  03592 645 606 ; Food Serve :  Indian

Must Eat FoodAdd

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• X’cape ; Near Vajra Cinema Hall,Gangtok-737101. ; Ph/M: 91-3592-228636 ; Cost:  400 per person ; Food Serve : N.A
• Lounge 31a ; Zero Point, Gangtok-737101 ; Ph/M: 91-3592-201380 ; Cost:  beers Rs70 ; Food Serve : N.A

SpaAdd

FestivalAdd

Pang-Lhabsol ; Venue:  Gangtok ; Period :  August. ; Details:  This festival is the worship of the Khangchendzonga range. It also marks the signing of the treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepcha Chief Te-Kung-Tek and the Bhutia Chief Khye-Bum-Sa thus establishing brotherhood between the Lepchas and the Bhutias. During the celebration a masked monk dancer portrays the guardian deity as a red faced God with a skull crown astride a snow lion. The festival falls on the 15th day of the 7th Tibetan month sometime in end-August.
Saga Dawa ; Venue:  Gangtok ; Period :  May or June.; Details:  It’s a famous Buddhist pageant celebrated inside a beautiful manner in Gangtok. People visits the monasteries to provide worship. Butter lamps are also offered. The entire scene appear spectacular when the monks inside a huge procession take a look of the city carrying holy scriptures.

Safety / WarningEdit

N.A

HelplineEdit

• Police : 91-3592-202022 or 91-3592-202033.
• Fire : 101
• Ambulance : 102

ItineraryEdit

Day 1 :
9:00 am- Rumtek Monastery ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
11:00 am – Nathula Pass ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Pemayangtse Monastery ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Khecheopalri Lake ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Hanuman Tok ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 2 :
9:00 am – Phodang Monastery;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
11:00 am – Namgyal Institute of Tibetology ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centr;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Tsomgo Lake ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Ranka Monastery ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 3 :
9:00 am – Saramsa Garden;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
12:00 pm – Ranka Monastery ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
3:00 pm – Ganesh Tok View Point ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
5:00 pm – Tashiding Monastery ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs

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