Last Updated on April 20, 2017 by
Recently Mr. Mahesh Semwal, a travel blogger friend asked me about things to see in Gangtok. It reminded me that I have yet not written about my experience of traveling with family to Gangtok. What also makes Gangtok a family destination is the fact that it is cheap to visit Gangtok as most things to do in Gangtok are free. Mr. Mahesh himself enjoys travelling with family and I thought it would be best if I finally write about my travel to Gangtok with my parents.
Me and my parents booked a car from the Gangtok bus stop for the entire day. Here is how to see the best of Gangtok with family in 8 hours. I am writing down the exact time of our arrival at a particular point of interest.
1) 1:25 p.m. – Do Drul Chorten, Gangtok:
Dense forest of birch trees, oak and magnolia hides the Do Drul Chorten. Do Drul Chorten is a stupa which dates back to 1945. Built by the Venerable Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, it is a calm place in the midst of a busy city. Devotees spin the 108 Mani Lhakor or prayer wheels around the stupa in a clockwise manner. Buddhists devotees chant aum mani padme hum meaning ‘Hail to the jewel in the Lotus’ while spinning the wheel. One must watch out for Chorten Lakhang and Guru Lakhang, where two huge statues of Guru Rinpoche are worshipped. You need to ask around or locate the downwards stairs which would lead you to the huge statues. (Photography in this section is not allowed) It is a place of worship and you must refrain from being noisy. Admission is free
2) 1: 45 p.m. – Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Gangtok :
Inaugrated in October, 1958 and built in traditional Tibetan architecture, its museum is surrounded by 2 tower like structures on either side. The maroon and white façade of the building complements the dense green cover of the campus. Child monks goof around as the dramatic background of bougainvillea blooms enhance their charm. The museum houses some interesting artefacts such as a variety of ancient thangkas (Buddhist painting and embroidery on cloth), Buddhist wares, ancient coins, rare statutes. It also houses a casket which contains the relics of Kasyapagotra and Madhyama, the two great Asokan missionaries. Ancient manuscripts (some even belonging to 11th century) in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese and Lepcha also find home in the ground floor museum. My favourite though was the eerie tantric skull-cap bowls and trumpets made from human thigh bones. You may climb up for the library and the views. It is located in Deorali and is around 2 kilometers away from the main town. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is walking distance from Do Drul Chorten.
3) 2:15 p.m. – Deorali Bazar Ropeway Station Gangtok–
Just 5 minutes drive/walk away from Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, one can take the ropeway and enjoy the sweeping views of Gangtok city. I did not take the ride because neither my parents nor I were interested in it. We moved ahead for the views of valley at a nearby view point.
4) 2: 22 p.m. – Viewing Point, Gangtok-
We instead chose to walk up to the View Point, few minutes away. The winding stairs lead to a viewing point from where one can enjoy the view of the lush green, mist laden mountains, tiny houses and terraced fields. The pathway is decorated with Tibetan prayer flags. We bought some snacks along the way such as boiled and spiced chick peas. Since my parents are not as fit as me, they took a little longer to navigate the stairs. But it was still easily manageable and was senior citizen friendly. Admission is free.
5) 3:05 p.m. – Hanuman Tok
When I arrived at Hanuman Tok, an enterprising family was cooking momos and selling it from the rear of a van modified to double up as a shop. I bought 2 plates of vegetarian momos for throw-away price and explored the Hanuman temple at Hanuman Tok. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, much revered God to Hindus, known to foreigners as the Monkey God. If you are lucky, you might get to view the Kanchenjunga range. 11 kms away from main Gangtok city, it is perched at a height of 7,200 ft. It is on located on a road near the Gangtok-Nathu la Highway. There is a gallery which shows important scenes from the Ramayana, the Hindu epic. There is also a famous shine of Sirdi Saibaba. It is senior citizen friendly. There are also benches for rest. I ring a bell, soak in the views and bid it adieu. Admission is free.
6) 3:54 p.m. – Ganesh Tok, Gangtok:
We passed a gorgeous waterfall and arrived at Ganesh Tok. Located at an altitude of 6,500 ft on a gorgeous hilltop, it has a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, known to foreigners as the Elephant God. It is near the tall TV tower and offers incredible views from a circular viewing gallery. On clear days, you can see Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, from Ganesh Tok. Ignoring the gift and souvenir shop, the nearby zoo and the ‘Dress Like a Local’ Photo Booths, we headed to the cafeteria near the parking lot for a late lunch. The food is good and cheap. It is 6 kms away from the main city. Admission is free. It is just 4 kms away from Hanuman Tok.
7) 5:05 p.m. – Deorali Orchid Sanctuary:
We arrived late here and the enclosed garden was closed. On my request, I was allowed to enter the indoor Orchid paradise. Located near Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, it houses over 200 species of orchids, including some rare ones. The bold colors and unusual shapes of flowers vied for my attention. The main blooming season is April to May, July to August and October to November. It offers different varieties in different seasons. Admission is free.
8) 5:21 p.m. – Enchey Gonpa, Gangtok:
As I entered the quaint Enchey Gonpa monastery with my parents, the absolute silence was gently broken by Buddhist chanting from an individual young monk. His was the only sound which reverberated through the conifer scented valleys. Intrigued, my slow paced walk soon turned into gallops. Soon the faint sound turned bolder as I followed the sound. In no time, my pace was slower than that of a snail-in-no-hurry, as soon as I was face to face with a child monk faithfully chanting his lessons for the evening alone. Few steps away from him a group of child monks were like regular kids, goofing around in their red robes while pretending to read their religious books. These kids alternated between serious education and goofing around at a monastery in Gangtok, Sikkim. Despite a strict routine, the kids had retained their ‘kidness’. They hit gently at each other and cracked jokes on each other between recitals of the holy text.
The 200 year old Enchey Gonpa aka Buddhist monastery is set in a lonely place. No wonder Enchey Gonpa’s literal meaning is ‘the solitary temple’. We were the only tourists there. It is 3 kms away from the main Gangtok city. If you are traveling to Gangtok in the month of January and February, don’t forget to catch the live Chaam aka Mask dance performed on the 18th, 19th day of the 12th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. It is home to the monks of the Nyingma sect of Vajrayana Buddhism. Do check out the colorful windows. Admission is free.
9) 6:00 p.m. – MG Marg Market, Gangtok:
MG Marg Market is located centrally in the heart of the Gangtok City. It was near our hotel, so it made sense to end the day in the vibrant markets of M.G. Marg. Visiting it during night made the experience all the more charming. It reminded me of the Leh market in Ladakh. Though M G Marg market is much bigger in scale than the Leh market but it resembled the look and feel. Also, both the markets are a no vehicle zone and are way too clean by Indian standards for a market as crowded as this. Despite the crowd, it is a pleasure to walk here due to the wide pathways. The open mall or boulevard square is lined with glittery shops, souvenir stores, grocery shops, fancy restaurants and even pharmacy shops. My parents checked out some outlets and shopped. Not a shopping fan, I utilized the time to stroll and fill my face with street food. It is a no smoking zone. Open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restaurants are open for longer. Admission to M G Marg market is free.
10) 8:26 p.m. – Gurudwara Sahib, Gangtok:
Gangtok, like other hill stations of India sleep early. I anchored my parents at the hotel and enjoyed the view of the glittery city from the hotel balcony. After I ordered food for my parents, I moved out to get a closer look of the beautifully lit Gurudwara Sahib. Located near the Gangtok bus stand, it is a beautiful Gurudwara (Worship place of Sikhs). The architectural style is unique and it looks all the more beautiful when lit. I walked alone on the adjacent walk way, sometimes looking at the Gurudwara sometimes looking at the starry city in far distance. Personal moments like these are why I travel. The next morning we moved to Darjeeling.
IS GANGTOK A SENIOR CITIZEN FRIENDLY CITY?
I found Gangtok to be a perfect place to visit with my parents. My mother has health issues and is wary of climbing anything. However much of Gangtok requires easy climbing. Hiring a car for entire day is the best way to travel with senior citizen in Gangtok. Most things to do in Gangtok are near each other and don’t require much of climbing stairs. The weather is pleasant which further makes thing easier. Food of all variety is also easily available, so rigid eating habits of parents are also resolved.
IT IS VERY CHEAP TO SEE GANGTOK AS MOST THINGS TO DO IN GANGTOK ARE FREE
As I mentioned in the story above, admission to most of the things to do in Gangtok is free which makes Gangtok a perfect family destination to travel to. A good idea is to hire cheap sight-seeing cars on arrival. The rates are reasonable. Hotels of all budgets are also available.
HOW TO REACH GANGTOK FROM SILIGURI (AFTER A WONDERFUL TRIP TO BHUTAN WITH FAMILY)
I had planned Gangtok after a wonderful trip to Bhutan with my parents. As soon as we arrived in Jaigaon, the small town at India – Bhutan border, we booked a cab to Gangtok. We started at 2 p.m. from Jaigaon and reached the Coronation Bridge aka Sevoke Bridge at 5:50 p.m. We stayed over in a hotel near Bus Stand in Siliguri for the night. Completed in 1941, the coronation bridge commemorates the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937. It is also known as Baghpul aka Tiger Bridge due to the 2 lion statues at one end of the bridge. It is also known as Loha Pul because it is made up of metal. Travellers pass through this scenic bridge on their way to Gangtok, Siliguri, Bhutan and Darjeeling. There is also a viewing point near the coronation bridge. However beware of the traffic jams in the rush hour and of stray monkeys at all hours. Avoid carrying any eatable in the open.
The next morning we caught a private non ac bus to Gangtok from the Siliguri Bus Stand. Many buses ply on this route and one can often get tickets without prior booking. We left Siliguri at 7:21 a.m. and reached the ‘Welcome To Sikkim’ gate at exact 10:00 a.m. Our bus was stopped at this point and we were asked to show our identity cards by the army. Before we arrived at this gate, the bus passed through scenic Teesta River. We came across many small metallic bridges. Some of the bridges near Sikkim were so narrow that we had to wait for the other vehicles to pass before making a move. Within 5 minutes of passing through the ‘Welcome to Sikkim’ gate, the bus stopped for refreshments in the middle of the city. I had my fill of different varieties of Bengali Mishti Doi (Sweet Thick and flavoured curd) and other Bengali sweets. We reached around 11:50 a.m. at the multi level Gangtok Bus Stand. We walked in and settled for a reasonably priced hotel near the Gangtok Bus Stand. It costed the 3 of us around Rs.1500 (With extra bed). I forgot the name of the hotel but most hotels on this lane are priced like that. This place is near the famous M.G. Market and other points of interest in Gangtok.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN GANGTOK, SIKKIM:
- Sikkim is a plastic free zone, so no plastic bags are allowed. It is best if you responsibly dispose all the waste you generated.
- Many areas in Gangtok are No Smoking zone. Kindly Refrain.
- While entering religious places, please maintain decorum and restraint yourself from shouting, running and other such ‘important tasks’.
- Please don’t pluck flowers.
- Please take off your shoes when entering religious places.
- Ask for filtered water instead of plastic water bottles.
- Don’t nag the authorities for clicking the picture of a statue/building or even monks if it is not allowed. Respect.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GANGTOK, SIKKIM :
- Spring in Gangtok: I went in the month of April. The weather was perfect at that time. March and April is the best time to be there.
- Summer in Gangtok: May and June is still comfortable.
- Monsoon in Gangtok: July to August is when in pours in Gangtok. Landslides and heavy rains keep tourists away.
- Autumn in Gangtok: October to November is also a great time to visit Gangtok. Might get chilly at nights.
- Winter in Gangtok: December to February is very cold. Go if you can brave the chill.
HOW TO REACH GANGTOK, SIKKIM
- AIR: Nearest Airport is at Bagdogra, 124 kms away
- RAILWAY: Nearest Railway station from Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri, 148 kms away.
- BUS: Buses to Gangtok are available from Siliguri and Darjeeling, so you might want to club these destinations.
EXCURSIONS FROM GANGTOK, SIKKIM
There are many places near Gangtok which you can enjoy with your loved ones. Gangtok Tourism is recommended for a hassle free trip. Gangtok is close to many interesting places such as:
International destinations near Gangtok, Sikkim:
- Phuentsholing in Bhutan
- Ilam, Nepal
- Nathu La pass near China border
Indian destinations near Gangtok, Sikkim:
- Darjeeling
- Rumtek Monastery
- Gurudongmar Lake
- Yumthang Valley
- Lachung and Lachen
- Yuksom
- Pelling
- Tsongmo Lake
- Zuluk
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Thanks for the recommendation
Hope this guide helps both of you in the Sikkim trip! All the best!
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I had never heard of Gangtok, but it is truly a beautiful city! I would especially love to visit Do Drul Chorten and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Gangtok- they look absolutely stunning from your photographs and I would love to learn more about the history behind them! I also really like how they’re a plastic free city! I’m trying to be more conscientious of how much plastic waste I produce, and it’s great to see that a city has taken on that responsibility as well! Great post!
That’s very helpful Abhinav. I still don’t have any plan but it’s final that I am going to Gangtok and other places in Sikkim. Let’s see how things go. Your blog would certainly help me plan Gangtok exploration well.
My parents are senior citizens too. They will also be eager to do this kind of trip. It might be a little exhausting but they like seeing beautiful sceneries.
Iza c/o Fill My Passport
I haven’t heard of Gangtok before this post. It would be a great destination for those travelling on a budget as it seems like most places admission is free. Glad you got to at least see the Orchid sanctuary. They looked beautiful from your photo.
Thanks for a wonderfully detailed post. This entire region is so beautiful and still remains underrated and unexplored by many, but I’m glad it’s getting all the attention off late that it rightly deserves. You’ve really captured the heart and soul of Gangtok and I love the photo of the monk reading – so cute. Lovely write up and I hope I get to travel here soon.
Tibetan architecture, its museum building looks stunning. To be honest I have never heard of Gangtok. After reading your post, it seems like such an interesting place to visit. I really like the looks and sound of Enchey Gonpa aka Buddhist monastery. What an interesting place to go visit and see the monks. I love the pictures of the Monks too
Thanks a lot for this painstakingly detailed guide. I have never been able to make it to Sikkim so far. Hopefully I will later this year and then I will also be able to use this guide.
A wonderful Post, Details some very doable things in and around Gangtok that would enable the visitor to get a feel of the place.. However a Small correction, The two Places labelled as Deorali are not Deorali, Deorali is the Place which is located where the lower end of the Ropeway is, the place you are referring is Called Ridge Park , Beside the Chief Ministers residence and Whitehall, so a Correction would be better since it can get confusing,
A wonderful Post, Details some very doable things in and around Gangtok that would enable the visitor to get a feel of the place.. However a Small correction, The two Places labelled as Deorali are not Deorali, Deorali is the Place which is located where the lower end of the Ropeway is, the place you are referring is Called Ridge Park , Beside the Chief Ministers residence and Whitehall, so a Correction would be better since it can get confusing,
North East is on the list for a very long time now. We loved the fact that Gangtok is a plastic free town which most of the Indian cities should adapt to, now being the high time. We are very fascinated by the Buddhist temples they are so soothing and invigorating, we would love to visit Sikkim and explore its beauty for ourselves.
Wow it’s great to see so many free or affordable things to do in Gangtok. I’d love to go one day myself. Just to try the ropeway station! It looks so bizzare but so much fun.
That’s a very useful listing! I’m yet to visit Gangtok, so that’s very useful for me. Glad that you managed to get permission and enter the Orchid sanctuary! The ropeway and the view point sound fantastic, which I wouldn’t miss! Good to know that its senior citizen friendly as well!