Destination

Rumtek Monastery – Nathula Pass – Tsomgo Lake

Best Time To Visit: October, November and February

Gangtok Itinerary Highlights

The ‘Organic State of India’, Gangtok is the beautiful capital city of Sikkim. A Buddhist haven, Gangtok is wreathed with fluffy clouds and surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains.

Through ages, the residents of this city have strongly supported the idea that divinity can only prevail through cleanliness and the spotless streets are the proof of it.

Highlights

Rumtek Monastery: One of the popular tourist attractions.

Nathula Pass: One of the highest roads of India which is motorable.

Tsomgo Lake: Beauty of the hills and the hospitality of the locals.

Best Time to Visit Gangtok

The pristine hill station enjoys pleasant weather all year round, so travellers can get a taste of this city at any time of the year. October – November and then February – March are good months to visit. Due to snowfall in December – January you may not be able to visit a number of tourist points. March-May are the summer months and perfect for a vacation.

Places to See in Gangtok

Rumtek Monastery

One of the popular tourist attractions, this monastery was built by a sect of Buddhists who started living in this region since the 12th century. The architectural style of this monastery, which is considered to be one of the most magnificent in entire Sikkim, resembles the main monastery located in Tsurpu, Tibet.

Nathula Pass

One of the highest roads of India which is motorable, the pass is tucked neatly into the folds of the mountain with altitudes up to 14,450 ft. The Nathula Pass serves as the passage between the countries of India and Tibet. To explore the beauty of this site, you will have to acquire permission from the zonal office.

Tsomgo Lake

An absolute glacial beauty, the Tsomgo Lake or the Changu Lake is located on the Gangtok Nathu La highway. Set your eyes on the turquoise water of the lake beautified by the serenity and the magic backdrop of the lake. Plan a tour to this lake to experience the beauty of the hills and the hospitality of the locals at its best.

Things to Do in Gangtok

Cable Riding: The zigzag thrill-filled adventure starts from Deorali and continues till Tashilling. In the 2 km ride, you will be presented bird’s eye view of the beautiful city. The ride lasts for about 7 minutes and to enjoy the view best, you will have to stand as there are no seats present in the cable cars.

Yak Safari: To understand and explore the terrains better, say yes to this joyride, which is being conducted at various places within the city.

Paragliding: If you want to fly like a bird over the hilly slopes of this colorful city, then you must try this exciting sport without fail.

How to Reach Gangtok

You can reach Gangtok directly via buses and flights, but not railways. But Gangtok, being Sikkim’s capital, is well-connected to its neighbouring cities and states – Siliguri (115 Km), Meghalaya (343 Km).

Closest Railway Station / Bus Stop

Gangtok does not have its own railway station; to board a train you will have to travel down to Siliguri. The nearest and most important bus stop is in Deorali.

Closest Airport with Distance

The nearest airport is the newly-inaugurated Pakyong Airport located in Pakyong town (35 Km).