Aim : Gangtok

The winding ways and cluttered shops tell you that you are present in Gangtok, doubtlessly the cold air breeze will not spare you. You see heights smiling at you wherever you see. Reaching Gangtok is of course is not that easy, but with the inception of technologies, it remains easy. The nearest air-head is at BagdograAirport and the local transport like jeep, taxis and land-rovers ply to all tourist destination. Find your self a good accommodation that Sikkim has loads of.

Day One

The hills beckons you for a nice wake up and then set-out for Sikkim jaunt.

» Stop 1 : Tashi View Point
Reach to this enticing altar at Gangtok constructed by Tashi Namgyal, the King of Sikkim. It offers picturesque scene of Mt. Khangchendzonga and surrounding hills. Just six kilometers away from Gangtok lies Tashi Ling monastery mostly known as Bumchu. The special quality of the monastery is its 'Pot' which has never run dry since 300 years. Tashi is also a wonderful picnic point providing a view of Phodong and the Labrang monasteries located on the opposite hill.

» Stop 2 : Do Drul Chorten
After viewing Tashi View Point make a motion towards Do Drul Chorten girdled by 108 prayers wheels built by late Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46. This is one biggest stupas found in Sikkim, The Do Drul Chorten has Mandala sets and sects of and other religious factions. Next to Drul Chorten is another stupa called as 10 Mani-Lhakor (prayer wheels). Inside this it offers a view of devout Buddhist rotating the prayer wheels reminding us of the stern logic of Buddhisattva.

» Stop 3 : Theosophical Society
Gangtok is an important Buddhist Kibosh and it's quiet natural to expect monasteries at every halt. So catch one of the most salient monastery of Gangtok. Placed on a hilltop, Enchey Monastery has its roots linked to the 20th century, around 200 year old back. Enchey is a repository with excellent assemblage of religious objects and statues of prominent deities. The monastery is famous for one spectacular festival- Chaam- held in the month of January every year, and it's masked dance that is performed with great tucket for two days.

» Stop 4 : Orchid Sanctuary
The fragrance filled waft of Orchid Sanctuary won't let you pass without entering this placewned for its collection of rare- species of Orchids, almost 454 species of Orchids can be seen here. It is one wonderful place that stores special treat for nature lovers.

» Stop 5 : Tsukh Ka Khang
The itinerary of Sikkim is incomplete without Tsukh Ka Khang in Sikkim. A repository of a huge collection of scriptures, Tsukh Ka Khang is flanked by 108 prayer wheels and is counted to be one of the biggest stupa in Gangtok. The stupa is made up of complete sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics (Holy Books), complete 'Zung' (mantras) and many other small and big religious sects. The most prominent part of this stupa are its 10 Mani Lakhor (Prayer Wheels), rotated by the Bhuddha devouts to evoke Buddhisattva. The entire chorten is girdled by Chorten Lakhang which is embellished with two giant sized statues of Guru Rimpoche. The Tsuk La remains open for general public and tourists during Losar, the famous dance festival.

» Stop 6 : Ridge Park
The Ridge Park in Gangtok is tucked above in the town center of Gangtok. A fifteen-twenty walk from market will lead you this enchanting park which is more of an extension of plain hovering the town above. The Ridge is acclaimed for its White Hall and the Chief Minister's official residence, called as Mintokgang, meaning "blossomed crowned hilltop" on one of its side and intricately designed Palace Gate with a pagoda shelter design on its another end. Some of the key attractions of the ridge are the huge Nehru statue, Tibetan shed, and a whole riot of colourful bloom that drape this avenue time to time.

» Stop 7 : Hanuman Tok
Your jaunt to Gangtok is never complete without visiting to Hanuman Tok, the sanctum dedicated to Hanuman- the famous deity among the Hindus. The holy place is just located on the hilltop adjoining the TV Tower. It is from this place in Gangtok you are presented with bewitching bounties of nature and some to name are Khangchendzonga icy peaks, Selep waterworks and little bazaars with people crawling on its streets. The whole of Hanuman Tok is maintained by the Indian army and its whole unit.


» Stop 8 : Ganesh Tok
Like Hanuman Tok this temple is consecrated to Lord Ganesh. But as you enter into the the temple make sure don't get mislead by its size. The holy place is so small that only one person at a time can enter in temple area. From here you can get a panoramic view of Gangtok town and the Raj Bhawan Complex and on a clear day you get a breathe taking view of Mt. Kangchendzonga. During the tourist season, a small cafeteria is opened for the convenience of the visitors. Just adjoining the Ganesh Tok is a pine tum garden containing pine trees. A walk on the footpath amongst the pine trees is refreshing.

Shopping In Gangtok

Shop religiously in Sikkim as the markets here will pamper with heaps n heaps of different items you will want to bag. The markets in Gangtok are deluged with handicrafts, Canvas, Carpets and Rugs and beautiful jewelery with unique designs and tribal look. Conversing in Hindi is not at all a problem because of the dominant Marwari traders in the area.
The items from Gangtok leave a long lasting impression on the mind of the visitor. The Hindi speaking Marwaris dominates many of the shops in the Gangtok market. Shopping zonas here are organized, offering products at a cheaper rate. Step in the market and you are overwhelmed by number of shopkeepers convincing you of their best quality at cheap rates. Get a feel of Gangtok market with the list of specialized zone you must step into.
Handicrafts - Buy loads of souvenirs, showpieces and even items of daily use in the Government Institute of Cottage Industry and the many curio shops in Gangtok. You can bargain a wall painting between Rs. 20/- to Rs. 200/-. Thangkas or religious scrolls can also be purchased on a little higher cost above Rs 500/-.
Carpet and Rugs - Never-afford-to miss out woolen stuff in Gangtok. Carpets and woolen wears are the best buy of this hilltop destination. The Tibetan woolen carpets are very expensive because of their design pattern and intricate weaving reflecting Tibetan Culture. The woolen products are made up of sheep's wool with out-of-ordinary prints and colours.
Jewelery - Unlike the rest of India, Sikkim jeweleries are carved with different patterns of dragon sets. So make sure you pick up these jeweleries to earn conspicuous designs back home.
Tea - A signature product of Sikkim Tea here is characterized by exotic tastes and flavour costs about Rs 100/- a kilogram. Hunt for brand names like 'Solja' and 'Khangchendzonga'.
Smell for Spice- Cardamom or Elaichi grows in abundance in Sikkim and costs about Rs 150/- a kilogram. A few hundred grams should be purchased.
M.G. Market - Like many other famous lanes with same name, MG Market is famous for bars pubs and trendy malls.
Lal Market - It is in fact a trendy lane that feels cool to walk through. The wares on sale are equally diverse - from local cottage -cheese, incense sticks to the latest electronic gadgets. The smell of fish, spices, cheese and vegetables permeates the air.

Eating Out In Gangtok

Gangtok offers a completely different kind of palette in terms of gastronomical delights. Try out some of the most sought after Sikkim delicacies at the Snow Lion Restaurants, Oyster at Hotel Sonam Delek, Hotel Tashi Delek. There are numerous small eating joints, and fast food and snack food places serving local food and catering to a mix of tourist palates. Some are distinctly seedy, while others have character and can serve tolerably good food.

Latest Buzz

» Gezing
» Pelling
» Kechepari Lake
» Pelling
» Phodong
» Yumthang

After Gangtok

» Rumtek Dharma Chakra
» Shri Nalanda Institute
» Jawahar Lal Nehru Botanical Garden
» Saramasa Garden/ Peacca Garden
» Tsomgo / Changa Lake
» Nathula Pass
» Menmecho Lake
» Fambong La-Wildlife Sanctuary