Places to visit in Gangtok | Sightseeing | Images
If you are looking to for amazing tourist places to visit in Gangtok, this article will provide you complete information about Gangtok tourist places. It is one of the most important places to visit in Sikkim. There are many popular tourist places to visit in Gangtok in two days. You need one full day to visit Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & Nathula Pass. Also need a day for Gangtok sightseeing or city tour. It is so a transit city to visit North Sikkim.
List of place to visit in Gangtok
- Tsomgo Lake
- Baba Mandir
- Nathula Pass
- Buddha Park
- Siddheswar Dham (Char Dham)
- Rumtek Monastery
- Enchey Monastery
- Namgyal (Research) Institute of Tibetology
- Tashi View Point
- Ganesh Tok
- Hanuman Tok
- Government Institute of Cottage Industry
- Flower Exhibition Centre (Flower Show)
- Do-Drul Chorten Stupa
- MG Marg (The Mall) & Market
- Gangtok Ropeway (Cable Car)
Gangtok Tour Package 4D @7,500
Gangtok Pelling Tour 6D @11,500
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour @13,500
Places to visit from Gangtok | Gangtok visiting places
Tsomgo Lake
According to the myth the spirituals gurus of Sikkim used to study the colour of the water of Tsomgo Lake to forecast the future of the state. So the local people considered the lake as sacred. Changu Lake is approx 40 Km away from Gangtok on the way to Nathula Pass & it is among the most important places to visit i Gangtok. In Bhutaia Lacguage the word Tsomgo means the ‘Source on Lakes’. At an altitude of approx 12,000 ft above the sea level it is the most important place to visit in Sikkim. the Lake is oval in shape and approximately 1km long. It has an average depth of about 50 ft. Snow melted water from the mountains around created the lake & the lake created a river namely Lungtze Chu. The lake further falls into Rangpo-chu.
Changu Lake is a paradise for the ornithologists. The migratory birds takes a break near the lake while flying long way from Syberia to the Indian plains. Brahminy Ducks is a one of the spices.
Tsomgo Lake permit
Tsomgo Lake – 2 copies passport size recent colour photographs & Photo ID proof (Passport/ Voter ID) for each & every guests. Minor may carry school/college ID along with photographs.
Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit to visit Tsomgo Lake. Permit can be obtained in Gangtok. All the guests must carry 2 copies passport size recent colour photographs, Passport & copy of Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
Best time to Visit Tsomgo Lake
October to December for clear weather & Best view of the lake.
January to mid April for snowfall & frozen lake.
Gangtok tour packages from NJP
Gangtok tour package | 3 nights – 4 days | Rs.6,500/- |
Gangtok Darjeeling tour | 5 nights – 6 days | Rs.9,500/- |
Gangtok Pelling Tour | 5 night 6 days | Rs.10,000/ |
Baba Mandir
It is an important place to visit in Gangtok. 16 km drive from Tsomgo Lake there is Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir. Read more…
Nathula Pass
It is one of the major attractions place to visit in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Nathula Pass is a trade route which connect Sikkim with Tibet.It is situated just 56 km away (3 hrs drive) from Gangtok. The road passes through Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) another major tourist attraction in Sikkim. Nathula Pass height is above 14,000 ft (4,200 mtr) and Gangtok to Nathu la is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The road connects Sikkim with Chumbi Vally (Tibet) on the other side of the border. You can have an ATM, which is the highest ATM available in the world.
A road travel from Gangtok to Nathu La Pass is one of the most charming travel experience. On the way you can visit Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) & Baba Mandir is also just 5 km drive. At Nathu La there is an Exhibition Centre on Indian National Army. You can also have a magnificent view of My. Chmolhari (in Bhutan) subject to clear weather.
Nathula Permit
Only Indian nationals are allowed to go to the Pass. Foreign nationals can go up to Tsomgo Lake only. They can travel up to Tsomgo Lake (Changu) accompanied by a local guide.
Indian nationals also need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit the Pass. Tourist need to submit a photo copy of any of the photo ID proofs (Voter ID, Passport or any other id card issued by the Government of India / State Government) along with passport size recent colour photographs.
Permit Cost for Nathula Pass : It needs an additional cost ranging around Rs.3,000/- to Rs.6,000/- depending of the no of tourist, category of car & season.
Nathula Pass Visiting days : It is open for 5 days in a week (except Monday & Tuesday)
Nathula Pass height : 14,150 ft (4,200 mtr).
Best time to visit Nthula Pass
October to December for clear weather & Best view of the surrounding hills.
January to mid April for snowfall.
Buddha Park -Ravangla
Being one of the most well maintained parks in South Sikkim, Buddha Park is a major tourist attraction in Ravangla. Ravangla is pprox 3 hours journey from Gangtok & Buddha park is a important place to visit from Gangtok. Constructed in the year 2006, the park is a government venture to boost pilgrimage tourism. A 130 ft. high a statue of the lord Buddha was installed here to commemorate the event of 2550th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. The park is also known as Tathagata Tsal among the locals. Being home to a Buddhist circuit, this park also has a great spiritual significance.
Best time to visit- October to Mid December for best view
Timing: 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs
Char Dham – Namchi
Char Dham is a temple complex built by Government of Sikkim to promote religious tourism. Another name is Siddheswar Dham. Char Dham is on Solophok Hill at a driving distance of just 5 km from Nanchi in South Sikkim. The main temple is 108 feet high with a large 87 feet high statue of Lord Siva. Along with the Siva statue the comples has replicas of 12 Jyatirlingas. You can also find the replicas of four Hindu religious Dhams namely Badrinath, Rameswaram, Dwarka & Jagannath. It a among popular tourist places to visit in Sikkim.
Best time to visit- October to Mid December for best view
Timing: 08.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs
North Sikkim Tour Packages from Gangtok
Yumthang Gurudongmar Tour | 3 nights- 4 days | Rs.9,750/- |
Lachung Yumthang Tour | 2 nights- 3 days | Rs.6,500/- |
Yumthang Valley Tour | 1 night- 2 days | Rs.4,800/- |
Places to visit in Gangtok city | Gangtok sightseeing
Rumtek Monastery – Gangtok
Rumten Monastery is 24km away from the city. After Tsomgo Lake it is the most important tourist spot in Gangtok. It also works as the Buddhist head quarter of India. Gyalwa Karmapa constructed the monastery in the year 1960. He was the 16th Karmapa & settled in Sikkim in late fifties. Rumtek is the largest monastery of Sikkim. Just beside the monastery there is Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies with huge collection Buddhist text, art & paintings. Read More…
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
Timing: 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs
Enchey Monastery
Enchy Monastery is near TV Tower, approx 3 km from the main marker. Lama Druptob Karpo built the monastery approx 200 years back. The monastery belongs to Nyingma Order. It is famous for its religious festival with Mask Dance (traditionally known as ‘Chham Dance’ ) organised on 18th & 19th of twelve month of Tibetan calendar every year (tentatively in December).
Namgyal (Research) Institute of Tibetology
About one kilometer away from the Gangtok main market there is Namgyal Institute of Tibetology surrounded by magnolia, oak & brich trees. For religious tourists it is among the most important places to visit in Gangtok. The institute building is a perfect example of Tibetan style of architecture & a major sightseeing point. It is one of the renowned institutes of the world with rare collection of books, documents & manuscripts on Buddhism. There is a huge volume of xylographs (printed wooden documents), translation of original teachings of the Lord Buddha & Buddhist scholars around the world. The institute also conducts research on Buddhism along with Tibetan culture & language. The adjoin museum has a rare collection of antiques like Thankas, coins & Buddhist sculpture. The foundation stone of the institute was laid by Dalai Lama in 1957 & was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958.
Tashi View Point
This is a view point in Gangtok, approx 8 km from the main market. The tourist spot with a view point, offers a panoramic view of the Himalaya including Mt. Kanchendzonga & Mt. Siniolchu. Tashi view point is an importent places to visit in Gangtok.
Ganesh Tok
Near Tashi View point there another Gangtok sightseeing point called Ganesh Tok. Basically it is a small Temple Lord Ganesha along with a view point. From here one can have a bird’s eye view of the city & Raj Bhaban Complex. On a clear day you can witness magnificent view of Mt. Kanchendzonga.
Hanuman Tok
Approx 5 km away from city near Gangtok Nathu La highway there is another tourist place, a small Hanuman Temple. At an altitude approx 2200 mtr (7200 ft) it offers panoramic view of surrounding hills.
Government Institute of Cottage Industry
Just one km away from the main market it is one of the popular tourist attractions. In the year 1957 the institute was established with a view to manufacturing of the local art & handicrafts. There is an emporium within the institute to promote the same. Thankas (scrolls with traditional painting), masks, woollen carpets, dolls, Choksees (hand carved wooden table) are some of the important artefact of the emporium. Handmade paper, extensive used as invitation cards & letterheads, is another unique artwork in the institute.
Flower Exhibition Centre (Flower Show)
Not only the beautiful landscape, Sikkim has a gift of more than 5000 species of flowering plants. The climatic condition has made this state a home to more than 600 species of orchids & 30 species of rhododendrons. To showcase this natural treasure a Flower Exhibition Centre has been established & is a must see attraction during Gangtok sightseeing. It is very near White Hall, within a walking distance from MG Marg. Though the centre is open through the year, Mar to May will be the best time as the flowers will be in full blossom. Every year there is an International Flower Festival in Gangtok tentatively in April.
Sikkim Tour Packages from NJP
Sikkim Delight Tour | 9 nights- 10 days | Rs.23,800/- |
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour | 6 nights- 7 days | Rs.11,000/- |
Alpine North Sikkim Tour | 7 nights- 8 days | Rs.20,800/- |
Do-Drul Chorten Stupa
Do-Drul Chorten Stupa is just within a short walk from Namgayal Institute of Tibetology. Trulshik Rinpoche built the same in 1945 by . He was the head of Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa is a home to many religious books & objects. There are 108 Mani Lhakor (prayer wheels) around the stupa. It is surrounded by Chorten Lakahang & Guru Lakhang along with two huge statue of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).
MG Marg (The Mall) & Market
MG Marg is the mall road in Gangtok & a great place for the tourists to spend their evening. This is a spit & litter free zone, even no vehicle is allowed to ply. Tourists can relax by sitting in the benches around the road or do some shopping in shops lined up both the side of the road. MG Marg is also a place for various cultural festivals, dance & music shows.
Gangtok Ropeway (Cable Car)
Ropeway is a must see tourist attraction in Gangtok sightseeing. It can offer a bird’s eye view of the city, snow capped Himalayan peaks & valleys. The ropeway has three terminal stations at Deorali, Namnang & Tashiling. Each cable car has a capacity to carry up to 24 passengers at a time. The two way ride will take approx 20 minutes. The cable car operates daily from 8 am to 4.30 pm.
Places to visit in Gangtok – How to Reach
By Air
Bagdogra Airport: Bagdogra (IXB) is located in West Bengal. Bagdogra to Gangtok is 125km, Pelling 145km & Namchi is approx 110km. It is directly connected with Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai. Guwahati & Bangkok & it is indirect connection all major cities in India.
Places to visit in Gangtok – Best time to visit
You can plan your travel to Gangtok at any time of the year. Every season will offer you a different flavor. Weather in varies from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. It has mainly five seasons.
Spring (March to April)
March to April it is a good season with moderate temperature. This is the best time to see rhododendrons, orchids, various flowers & snowfall in Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass & sometimes in the city of Gangtok.
Summer (May to Jun)
As summer is not very hot. The city experiences a temperature climate & it ranges from 18oC (64oF) to 25oC (78oF). This is the time it gets maximum no of tourists, hence it will incur a high cost.