Gangtok Diaries: Sensational Sikkim Unplugged

Gangtok has always been considered a traveller’s paradise on earth. With pristine and verdurous nature at its best, snow-capped mountains and haunting rivers, Gangtok is always there to mesmerize travellers from India and abroad. Gangtok is the largest town of Sikkim, and it is dotted across the eastern Himalayan range, at about 5,410 ft. The main essence of Gangtok tourism is a complete mixture of Nepali, Lepcha and Bhutia culture and it enjoys a mild and temperate climate all throughout the year.

Best time to visit Gangtok:

Winter season is the best time to visit Gangtok. If you want to enjoy an awesome snow-capped landscape and snowfall, then you must visit Gangtok during winter. March April can also be a suitable time.

Why visit Gangtok?

If you want a combination of wildlife, mountains, lakes and wines, then Gangtok with its myriad hill culture and exotic Tibetan cuisines is the best travel destination for you.

Travel to Gangtok: Discover gorgeous nature at its best!

Gangtok is one of the most happening places in Sikkim. Right from reverberating nightlife to morning glories in the colour of the rising sun, you come close to nature when you undertake Gangtok tour. There are many places of tourist interest in Gangtok, and you can travel to these sites both individually and also in tour packages. There are many folklores and local stories associated with the holy lakes and waterfalls in Gangtok. The entire city is well-fortified by lofty mountains, and you can discover the seven peaks of Kanchenjunga from every part of Gangtok. Apart from this, when you travel to some of the best places in Gangtok, you can also see Tashiding Monastery, which has a rich architectural heritage from the 17th century, and it is situated at a height of 6,500 feet.

• If you want to know about the best tourism places in Gangtok, then the Hanuman Tok will surely be in your priority list. The location of this temple is in Gangtok, at a height of about 7,200 feet and it is managed well by the Indian army. During winter, this place boasts of mild snowfall and from here, you can have a panoramic view of the entire city of Gangtok, along with the prolific green hills all around.

• The winter holidays in Gangtok are memorable, and along with gardens and mountains, you can also have a glimpse of the Phurchachu hot springs in close proximity to the four holy caves in Gangtok. There are myths and fairy tales that are associated with these springs. The water of these springs contains sulphur, and it also has medicinal values. The very beautiful Rangeet River flows very close to these springs.

• For instance, your Gangtok tour will remain incomplete if you do not visit the Tashi Viewpoint. As far as viewing the undulated landscape of the Kanchenjunga is concerned, nothing can be the best platform than the Tashi viewpoint. The erstwhile king of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal, built this viewpoint and the Labrang and the Phodong monasteries embrace this place.

Things to do in Gangtok: Mountains, Meadows and Multicolours

There are many things to do in Gangtok. If you want to take a casual stroll across the splendid M.G. Marg, or do some shopping from the Lal Bazar, then you will be loaded with options.

Lal Bazar is famous for small knick-knacks and fruit and household items, and the best part is that, you can bargain to your heart’s end, when you visit this place.

M.G. Marg has a unique appeal of its own, with quaint wine shops selling local wines, handicraft items and curios as well as Buddhist Thankas.

M.G. Marg is also one of the popular tourism places to visit in Gangtok, and you can simply sit and relax with your loved one in reputed cafeterias with British architecture located just on M.G. Marg.

If you are a shawl freak, then you can set your eyes on the gorgeous woolen clothes in the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom in Gangtok.

Gangtok Tourism: Choose the best hotels and resorts

In Gangtok, you can savour the best delights of Sikkim. Just travel amidst beautiful nature, or satisfy your appetite with Gangtok cuisines including steamed momos and thukpas. You can even try out the native Tibetan cuisine.

There are many hotels, five star resorts in Gangtok, and you can contact these depending on your requirements and budget. You can discover the most exotic places in and around Gangtok, with a price that will not burn a hole in your pocket.