Lofty Hills of Gangtok

Tripoto
1st Jun 2018
Photo of Lofty Hills of Gangtok by La Vie en Rose

Not just the hide and seek between the clouds and the snow-cladded mountains, water and sun, there's more that it provides - the experience of a lifetime.

The best part of the trip being the journey - we personally picked breaks amidst the mountains and by tranquil lakes, clicking pictures as we didn't want to miss on anything but soon we realised, they treat us on the whole journey. Just sit back and your eyes being the best camera, let it capture the best photos - memories.

ALL GIRLS TRIPP it was!!!! YESSSSS!! This surely must have added some excitement to you guys!! We 4 besties, our Fab 4 gang were finally going on a trippp!!!

We had a flight to Bagdogra Airport from Kolkata as at that time Pakyong Airport, Sikkim was not functional.

Sikkim Taxi System have standardised rates. They charge Rs 3000+200/300 on day basis wherever you go or how many of you go. But not more than that.

It's some 1000 bucks more if you plan for Nathula Pass as Wagonr can't go uphill and there are some permits to be taken.

As we reached at about 2 pm at Gangtok, we checked in and then hurried up for the local sightseeing before sunset.

I would advise reach at Gangtok before noon so that you don't need to hurry!!! And being an all girls trip, no doubt we took more time getting ready.And I think it's purely unquestionable as it's our birthright. So any questions??!!

Next thing , you go at anytime of the year, if you are not a pahadi and belong to the plains, please do carry thermals.

If not anywhere, you would obviously need it on the day you travel to Nathula.

Day 1

Our pictures speak!! ????????????????????

Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Hello Friends!! Chai pee lo!

Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Banjhakri Falls and Park, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Hanuman Temple

Ganesh Temple

Not allowed to click pictures!!

Day 2

Comes the most awaited day of the trip

On the way, you can rent wind cheaters and jackets on paying security amount.

Some pre-requisites : Get your passes done. A permit can be obtained by applying to the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. You can apply through a registered travel agency. A photo ID proof and two passport size photographs are required for the same. The Nathula Pass permit cost is INR 200/- per person.

Visiting days are from Wednesday to Sunday.

Monday is allowed only for army personnels or their dependents.

Photo of Nathula, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Nathula, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Nathula, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Nathula, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Nathula, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Nathula, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

As we had left Gangtok by 8 am, we could reach Nathula Pass by 10 am and then went downhill to Baba Harbajan Mandir by 1130 am.

The Nathula Pass on the Indo-China border in the state of Sikkim is a strategically important location for the Indian Army. Blocked by snow in the winters, it is one of the four Border Personnel Meeting points for the Indian and Chinese armies.

What you may not know, is that the pass is guarded by the ghost of one Baba Harbhajan Singh. Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh (23 Punjab) was born in a village in Kapurthala District and enrolled into the Punjab Regiment. Serving with his unit in Sikkim in 1968, he passed away on October 4 that year while escorting a mule column from Tuku La to Dongchui La.

He slipped and fell in a nullah and the water current carried his body two kilometers downstream. His body is said to have been found three days later and cremated with full military honours. He is said to have appeared in the dreams of his fellow soldiers and asked them to build a ‘samadhi’ for him. His unit did so 9 km from where the present shrine stands.

It is also widely believed that water kept at the Baba Harbhajan shrine became capable of curing ailing persons. Devotees therefore leave bottles of water in the name of ailing people and then give this blessed water to the sick.

Units of the Indian Army that are posted in the region, seek Baba’s blessing with various plates dedicated to him lining the shrine’s walls. They also believe that Baba will warn them of an impending attack days in advance. The Army even promoted him to an Honorary Captain and a paycheck was sent to his family. He was also granted an annual leave on 14 September every year. His belongings were packed and accompanied by soldiers, were sent to Kapurthala by train and brought back the same way. This was done annually till he was retired a few years ago.

Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Downhill stands the Tsomgo or the Changu lake. You would have passed this lake on the way to Nathula but it's advisable to first visit Nathula and then Baba Harbajan Mandir and Tsomgo Lake on way back.

By the lake side, you can enjoy rides on decorated yaks.

Photo of Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Eat joints are available as you move down from Tsomgo Lake.

Day 3

Checked out from hotel by 8 am and left for Ravangla. On the way the amazing view of the tea gardens soothes you eyes. The tea is grown on undulating terrain, which appear from distance as if they are covered with a bright green blanket.

Rolling hills carpeted with verdant tea plantations are mesmerising.

Photo of Temi Tea Garden, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Temi Tea Garden, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Temi Tea Garden, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Temi Tea Garden, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Buddhist Monastery

Photo of Samdruptse Road, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Samdruptse Road, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Samdruptse Road, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Samdruptse Road, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Blessed with ethereal beauty, Ravangla Buddhist Park is a must visit for those looking for a retreat amidst nature. There stands tall a 130 foot statue of Buddha.

Had our lunch - Wai Wai, Momos or dimshums in the hotels in front of the monastery.

Photo of Ravangla, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Ravangla, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Ravangla, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Ravangla, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Ravangla, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Ravangla, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

10 kms away from Ravangla, there's a diversion, one going to Ravangla and the other to Namchi.

By 3 pm we started for the road not taken - the road to Namchi. Reaching at about 4 30 pm, checking in at a home stay, we decided to sit back, relax and have some girls talk. ????????????????❤️❤️

Day 4

Lying in the cosy comforts of the home stay was the perfect decision.

It was just exactly in front of the Sai Mandir, Namchi. After paying a visit to the temple, we left with our luggage to the Char Dham.

Om Sai Ram

Photo of Namchi, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Sai Mandir, Namchi

Photo of Namchi, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Char Dham, Namchi

Photo of Namchi, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

Char Dham

Photo of Namchi, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Namchi, Sikkim, India by La Vie en Rose

On the way to Darjeeling, we took halts at Lovers Point and Lamahaat. Because we were not done with clicking pictures.

Darjeeling was our destination for the day.

On the way to Darjeeling

Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose

Lovers Point

Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose

Lamahaat

Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose

Lamahaat

Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose
Day 5

We concluded our trip by taking the toy train ride back to Siliguri.

FAB 4 rockssssss ????????????????Planning for our next trip!!!

Frequent searches leading to this page:-

Darjeeling itinerary for 3 days, gangtok local tour package, 4 nights 5 days package in gangtok, itinerary for sikkim gangtok darjeeling, gangtok darjeeling tour plan

Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose
Photo of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India by La Vie en Rose
Related to this article
Weekend Getaways from Kolkata,Places to Visit in Kolkata,Places to Stay in Kolkata,Things to Do in Kolkata,Kolkata Travel Guide,Places to Visit in West bengal,Places to Stay in West bengal,Things to Do in West bengal,West bengal Travel Guide,Things to Do in India,Places to Stay in India,Places to Visit in India,India Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Siliguri,Places to Stay in Siliguri,Places to Visit in Siliguri,Things to Do in Siliguri,Siliguri Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Darjeeling,Places to Visit in Darjeeling,Places to Stay in Darjeeling,Things to Do in Darjeeling,Darjeeling Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Gangtok,Places to Visit in Gangtok,Places to Stay in Gangtok,Things to Do in Gangtok,Gangtok Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from East sikkim,Places to Stay in East sikkim,Places to Visit in East sikkim,Things to Do in East sikkim,East sikkim Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Sikkim,Things to Do in Sikkim,Places to Stay in Sikkim,Sikkim Travel Guide,Places to Stay in Temi,Weekend Getaways from Temi,Things to Do in Temi,Temi Travel Guide,Places to Visit in South sikkim,Things to Do in South sikkim,Weekend Getaways from South sikkim,Places to Stay in South sikkim,South sikkim Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Ravangla,Places to Visit in Ravangla,Places to Stay in Ravangla,Things to Do in Ravangla,Ravangla Travel Guide,Places to Visit in West sikkim,Things to Do in West sikkim,Weekend Getaways from West sikkim,Places to Stay in West sikkim,West sikkim Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Namchi,Places to Visit in Namchi,Places to Stay in Namchi,Things to Do in Namchi,Namchi Travel Guide,