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Gangtok

star 4 (239 Reviews)
location_on Sikkim, India
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About Gangtok

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim rises above the northeast, on the ridge of a hillock at an altitude of 1,700 metres. A landscape of stark cliffs, which plunge into the valleys below, it is known both for its scenic beauty and striking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, which is the third highest peak in the world.

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A more recently established Indian state, Sikkim became a part of India only in 1975. Before this, the state formed by the Namgyal kings in the seventeenth century was ruled by the Chogyal Buddhist priest-kings. Yet the Buddhist influence remains the strongest influence and continues to shape this state, which shares its borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region in China, Bhutan in the east, and Nepal in the west.

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Apart from its scenic views, there is much to see in this town, chronicling Sikkim’s rich, complex and ancient history. Spiritually, it is perhaps most connected to Ladakh, given both the region’s roots in the old Tibetan empire.

WHAT TO SEE

Tsuklakhang Palace: Built in 1898, this palace also initially served as the royal chapel. Ancient scriptures and art were installed at The Tsuklakhang Monastery, while coronations and other royal ceremonies were held at the Tsuklakhang Palace. Though it is a simple structure, strikingly unlike a palace, the Tsuklakhang Palace remains a fine modern representation of traditional Sikkimese art and culture.

Do DrulChorten Stupa: Constructed in 1945, Do DrulChorten is Sikkim’s largest stupa. Travellers are greeted with the rare sight of 108 prayer wheels, which encircle the monastery.

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Khangchendzonga National Park: This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to rare species such as the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, dhole, sloth bear, red panda, Tibetan wild ass and the Himalayan blue sheep. It has documented at least 550 species of birds here.

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Nathu La: A part of the old silk road between India and China, Nathu La is a modern-day pass separating India and China. While the view at the top of the pass is ordinary, the route to the top is truly memorable.

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Our tip: Cameras are not allowed at the top. So, though it’s disappointing, be prepared to leave yours behind in the car at the summit. The only consolation is that the best views are in fact on the way to the top.

Tsomgo Lake: A high altitude lake, Tsomgo Lake is known for its changing colours with every season. The lake finally freezes during the peak winter months.

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Our tip: Tsomgo Lake is one of the few places in India where you will have an opportunity to ride a yak. It's a great place to get that off your bucket list.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: Set up in 1958, it is one of the foremost centres for the study of Tibetan culture and its traditions. It is renowned for its library with the largest collection of Tibetan works, outside Tibet. Its museum is known for its precious collection of ancient artifacts, religious relics and artwork, many of which were brought to India from Tibet, China, and South Korea.

Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom: The museum at the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms exhibits artwork from local artists and artisans. It is a true glimpse into the many rich and diverse crafts of Sikkim. You can also buy the local handicrafts of Sikkim at the sales emporium here.

Enchey Monastery: This almost 200-year-old monastery is today home to over 90 monks. It is believed to have been established in 1840 by the revered Tantric monk Lama DrupthobKarpo, who was renowned for his flying power. It was later rebuilt in 1908 to represent the sacred mountain of five peaks in China.

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WHAT TO DO

Most visits to Sikkim involve the traditional drives to the Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, and Sikkim’s ancient monasteries. But while you are in Gangtok city, you must take a cable car ride as well over the town. That’s one more experience to get off your bucket list and a view unlike any other.

What to eat: You cannot leave Gangtok without trying its traditional Tibetan thupka and momos, of course. But we would also recommend trying a cup of Sikkim tea and digging into a heartwarming bowl of Bamboo Shoot Curry.

What to buy: The best place to shop for handicrafts is the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms. Here you will find genuine Thanka paintings, traditional carpets, and wooden carved and painted sculptures. But another representative takeaway from Sikkim is its finely crafted prayer bells and prayer wheels.

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Getting around: The only way to travel to Sikkim’s many distant peaks is to hire a cab. Public transport is sparse and not very reliable.

Where to stay: Tourists visiting Gangtok choose accommodation at its many homestays and resorts. But these are often located in distant parts of the town. So, when arranging your accommodation, check for the best views. Later work with your hosts to arrange transportation to visit the town’s top sites.

The best time to visit: The best time to visit Gangtok is between the summer months of June and September. During the monsoons, the landslides in hills in this part of India are greatly feared. Later, its high-altitude lakes also freeze during winter.

How to get there: Gangtok is connected to the rest of India by road. The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, and the closest railway station is in Siliguri. The best way to commute between these towns is with a hired cab. Public transport is unreliable, and a private bus network does not exist in these parts of India yet. In some ways, it's as cut away from the rest of the world as you can possibly be.

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Our tip: You could also get a cab to Siliguri and travel onwards to the Darjeeling on the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Content and photo credit: Christina Daniels

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Gangtok Rating & Reviews

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4/5
Very Good
(1102 Ratings and 239 Reviews)
Excellent
764
Very Good
150
Average
66
Poor
25
Terrible
97
239 Reviews - Showing 1 to 5
Hrushikeshyeole
07 Dec 2023 12:15 AM

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Pratikvphalke
04 Oct 2023 02:00 PM

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our sikkim escapade with all india travel was an absolute standout! sulap efficiently managed all our arrangements, from airport pickups to accommodations. milan bhai, our friendly driver, not only guided us but also made our journey truly memorable. we enthusiastically recommend them for a seamless and delightful travel experience. #sikkimadventure
Nikhil Pawar
03 Oct 2023 01:43 PM

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our fantastic 7-day journey through sikkim was made possible by all india vacation, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. sulap from the company handled every detail impeccably, from our airport pickup to our hotel accommodations and travel arrangements. a special shoutout to our friendly and helpful driver, milan bhai, who became more than just a driver but a trusted companion throughout our trip. he ensured our safety and comfort at every turn, making our journey even more enjoyabl
Sonachauhan7792
03 Oct 2023 09:41 PM

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good service by all india vacation....we are very thank full to mr. sulap barman for his good service and hospitality.....we are planning next tour in future to go with all india vacation.... thank you mr. sulap barman
Sakshi Tuneja
09 Jul 2023 10:42 PM

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himalayan travels has organized our tour very nicely. entire tour arrangements including vehicle, accommodation were very good. special thanks to pooja from himalayan travels who made our travel arrangements and excellent support whenever required. the overall experience was very good and one of the most enjoyed trips.

Photos of Gangtok

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Trip Ideas of Gangtok

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17 Jan 2024
Famous Momo Joints One Must Visit In Gangtok

Are you fond of eating different varieties of momos? Whenever traveling to the new location, do you keep searching for the best joint to eat momos? If so, Gangtok opens the gates of the most exotic momos in the world. The famous momo joints in Gangtok are known to the best in the country. If you are visiting Gangtok soon, then you can get help from this post because it provides you a list of popular momo joints in Gangtok, which no one should miss out.    To provide delicious treat for food lovers, plenty of food joints and restaurants are available in Gangtok. There, you will have interesting and unique mix of Tibetan and Sikkimese cuisine, which melt your heart with every bite. Additionally, you will have different kinds of momos, which are extremely soft and easy to bite.  Best momo joints in Gangtok  

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17 Jan 2024
Best Time to Visit Gangtok

Throughout the year is best time to visit Gangtok. Gangtok is a city, municipality, the capital and the largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. It also is the headquarters of the East Sikkim district. Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range .

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17 Jan 2024
Know Best Sightseeing Ideas to Gangtok to Save Time and Money

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim which has beautiful places to see. Having a trip to Gangtok will definitely be fun as this destination has so much to explore. From the famous monastery to the charming lake, Gangtok is a combined package. So going for vacation to Gangtok during this season is a must. Given below is the list of places where you must visit in Gangtok to add more charisma to your trip.These are the Best Sightseeing Ideas to Gangtok to Save Time and Money

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17 Jan 2024
10 best places to visit in Gangtok

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and has more than a few wonderful places to visit. The Rumtek monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in India. The Tsongmo lake and ruins of Rabdentse are also scenic delights

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