The hill resort of Gangtok is a popular travel destination in India. A tour of the hill resort of Gangtok reveals that the Himalayas in the backdrop of the town. The entire Kanchenjunga Range is worshipped as a local deity. The unspoilt natural beauty of Gangtok and its peaceful Chortens/Stupas offer a truly unique traveling experience in India.

Location

The hill resort of Gangtok is the capital of the eastern Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the south of the district of East Sikkim. The hill resort covers the western side of a long ridge flanking the Ranipul River.

Sites to Visit

One of the tour sites of Gangtok is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It was built in 1958 and is a research center for Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Besides being a museum of traditional and old artifacts, tourists can also buy Buddhist religious books and other objects of craft. Gangtok also offers the Orchid Sanctuary, which is the home of some 500 varieties of orchids to the travelers.

Sites Near By

Another site near Gangtok is the tourist attraction of Rumtek Gompa. The Gompa is a rich monastery and abode of the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Devotees and tourists often flock to it throughout the year. Then there is the Tsongo or Changu Lake in the Northeast of Gangtok. Tourists require special permits to travel to this picturesque locale.

What to Buy

Gangtok is indeed a treasure trove for its tourists. Besides curios you may pick up bronze and silver jewelry, turquoise, coral jewelry and beads easily from Gangtok. For the food freaks Gangtok offers the dried fish, yak's cheese (churpi), and yeast for making the local beer (tomba).

Gangtok also offers several options for gift items and souvenirs. You may take your pick from carpets, handloom fabrics, thangka paintings and wooden objects.

Adventure Sports

For the adventure tourist Gangtok is the place to be at. While at the hill resort of Gangtok you may indulge in adventure activities like trekking, white-water rafting, hang gliding, yak safari, and mountain biking. Gangtok offers interesting treks to the Pemayangtse, Khechopalri, Yuksam, Tsokha, Dzongri, Thangshing, Zemathang, Chaurigang, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang and Sikip. The state tourism department of Sikkim has been promoting the adventure tourism potential of Gangtok.

How to Reach

The airport and the railway station nearest to the hill resort of Gangtok happen to be at Siliguri. Thus the road between Gangtok and Siliguri, caters to the traffic of tourists and otherwise. The excellent road network links Gangtok to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Bagdogra besides Siliguri. Buses, jeeps and taxis cater to the travel needs of the tourists. Gangtok is at a distance of 721 km from Kolkata, 584 km from Patna, 140 km from Darjeeling and 589 km from Guwahati.

Best Time to Visit

Gangtok experiences a lot of rainfall throughout the year and temperatures are mild. The best time to visit Gangtok is between the months of October and March.

Where to Stay

The hill resort of Gangtok offers several accommodation options to its tourists. Gangtok has star categorized hotels as well as cheaper options too. There are facilities to make your stay in Gangtok comfortable. You may be able to get discount on the tariffs during the low season. For winter stay the tourists must check out the provision of hot water.

While in Gangtok, the tourists may feast on a variety of cuisines. There are Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Continental cuisines to choose from. In Gangtok banana pancakes, chicken-fried rice and the famous momos are the hot favorite delicacies. You may even check out Gyakho, a traditional soup served on special occasions. Then there is the tomba, a traditional drink consisting largely of fermented millet, with a few grains of rice for flavor, served in a wooden or bamboo mug, and sipped through a bamboo straw. Though alcohol is as readily available as rice and pulse.

Fairs and Festivals

Fairs and festivals celebrated in Gangtok add to the charm of the hill resort. The Tashiding Gompa hosts the annual Buddhist festival of Bumchu in January. During January-February the dancing festival of Chaam is held in Enchey Gompa. The monthly mask dance of Kagyat is another attraction in the hill resort. Saga Dawa is held in Gangtok during May, and Drukpa Teshi is celebrated throughout Sikkim during July mark Buddha's first teaching.

Travel Information

All foreigners intending to visit Gangtok can obtain 14 days Restricted Area Permit (RAP), endorsed in their India visa from the Indian mission abroad. Tourists may also obtain the permit from the Deputy Director, Sikkim Tourist Information Center in Delhi or from the Assistant Director, Sikkim tourist Information Center in Siliguri.

Any tourist is allowed to visit Sikkim for a maximum of 15 days and obtain an extension of another fortnight only from the Home Office (Tashling Secretariat). Re-entry into the state is not permitted for three months even if one returns before the completion of the first fifteen days.