Exploring the Best Places to Travel in Gangtok

Gangtok is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Sikkim. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is surrounded by lush green hills and offers spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. With its beautiful monasteries, breathtaking landscapes, and rich culture, Gangtok is an ideal destination for travelers looking for an offbeat experience. In this blog post, we explore the top places to visit in Gangtok and the activities you can indulge in to make your trip memorable.

1. Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake is a glacial lake located at an altitude of 12,400 ft and is one of the most popular destinations in Gangtok. It is a sacred lake for the local people and is known for its cobalt blue waters and stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. You can take a yak ride or a horse ride around the lake or just take a leisurely stroll and admire the beauty of nature. The lake is also a great spot for bird watching.

Apart from the lake, you can also visit the Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial, which is a shrine dedicated to a soldier who lost his life in the Indo-China War of 1962. The memorial is built on the spot where he is believed to have died and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

If you are looking for a thrilling experience, you can indulge in paragliding at the nearby Helipad. The view from above is simply breathtaking and is sure to give you an adrenaline rush.

2. Nathu La Pass

Nathu La Pass is a mountain pass located at an elevation of 14,450 ft and is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. It is the only open border crossing between India and China and has been a major trade route since ancient times. The views from the pass are simply stunning and you can also visit the nearby Gurudongmar Lake, which is known for its crystal clear waters.

If you are an adventure seeker, you can go for a trek to the nearby Green Lake or Cholamu Lake. The trek is quite strenuous and takes around 3-4 days to complete, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

You can also visit the famous Thakur Baba Temple, which is located near the pass and is known for its beautiful architecture. The temple is dedicated to a saint who is believed to have meditated at the spot for many years.

3. Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim and is located at an altitude of 12,000 ft. It is also known as the Dharma Chakra Centre and is a house of Buddhist teachings and culture. The monastery is a great place to learn about Buddhism and its philosophy and is also home to a large collection of rare Buddhist artifacts and scriptures.

The monastery is a popular pilgrimage site and is visited by thousands of devotees from all over the world. You can take a guided tour of the monastery and explore the various shrines and statues.

If you are lucky, you may also get a chance to witness the traditional masked dance performances that are held at the monastery every year.

4. Banjhakri Falls

Banjhakri Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gangtok. Located at an altitude of 8,000 ft, it is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. The falls are surrounded by lush green forests and offer stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range.

You can take a leisurely stroll around the falls or just sit back and relax in the lap of nature. You can also visit the nearby Banjhakri Eco Park, which is home to a variety of birds and animals.

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, you can go for a thrilling trek to the nearby Kabi Lungchok, which is a historical site located at an altitude of 11,000 ft. The trek is strenuous but the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

5. Ganesh Tok

Ganesh Tok is a temple located at an altitude of 7,200 ft and is one of the most popular destinations in Gangtok. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and is visited by thousands of devotees from all over the world. You can take a guided tour of the temple and explore the various shrines and statues.

If you are looking for a thrilling experience, you can take a cable car ride to the nearby Hanuman Tok, which is located at an altitude of 10,000 ft. The view from the top is simply breathtaking and is sure to give you an adrenaline rush.

6. Rumtek Dzong

Rumtek Dzong is a 16th-century fort located at an altitude of 10,000 ft and is one of the most popular destinations in Gangtok. The fort is a great place to explore the rich culture and history of the region and is home to a large collection of rare artifacts and scriptures.

You can take a guided tour of the fort and explore the various shrines and statues. The views from the top are simply stunning and you can also visit the nearby Kabi Lungchok, which is a historical site.

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, you can go for a thrilling trek to the nearby Green Lake or Cholamu Lake. The trek is quite strenuous and takes around 3-4 days to complete, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

7. Phurchachu Hot Springs

Phurchachu Hot Springs is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gangtok. Located at an altitude of 7,500 ft, the springs are known for their therapeutic properties and are believed to have healing powers. You can take a dip in the hot springs and relax your body and mind.

The springs are surrounded by lush green hills and offer stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range. You can also visit the nearby Phurchachu Monastery, which is a great place to learn about Buddhism and its philosophy.

If you are an adventure seeker, you can go for a trek to the nearby Green Lake or Cholamu Lake. The trek is quite strenuous and takes around 3-4 days to complete, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

8. Gangtok Ropeway

Gangtok Ropeway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gangtok. It is a cable car ride that takes you up to an altitude of 8,000 ft and offers breathtaking views of the city. You can take a leisurely ride in the cable car and admire the beauty of nature.

Apart from the ropeway, you can also visit the nearby Hanuman Tok, which is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is located at an altitude of 10,000 ft. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and is visited by thousands of devotees from all over the world.

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, you can go for a thrilling trek to the nearby Green Lake or Cholamu Lake. The trek is quite strenuous and takes around 3-4 days to complete, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

9. Kanchendzonga National Park

Kanchendzonga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gangtok. Located at an altitude of 8,000 ft, it is home to a variety of rare and endangered species of plants and animals. You can take a guided tour of the park and explore the various wildlife species.

If you are an adventure seeker, you can go for a trek to the nearby Green Lake or Cholamu Lake. The trek is quite strenuous and takes around 3-4 days to complete, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking. You can also visit the nearby Nathu La Pass, which is a mountain pass located at an elevation of 14,450 ft and is one of the highest motorable passes in the world.

You can also visit the nearby Kabi Lungchok, which is a historical site located at an altitude of 11,000 ft. The views from the top are simply stunning and you can also visit the nearby Gurudongmar Lake, which is known for its crystal clear waters.

10. Hanuman Tok

Hanuman Tok is a temple located at an altitude of 10,000 ft and is one of the most popular destinations in Gangtok. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and is visited by thousands of devotees from all over the world. You can take a guided tour of the temple and explore the various shrines and statues. If you are looking for a thrilling experience, you can take a cable car ride to the nearby Hanuman Tok, which is located at an altitude of 10,000 ft. The view from the top is simply breathtaking and is sure to give you an adrenaline rush.

11. Tashi View Point

Tashi View Point is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gangtok. Located at an altitude of 7,500 ft, it offers stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range. You can take a leisurely stroll around the point and admire the beauty of nature.

If you are an adventure seeker, you can go for a trek to the nearby Green Lake or Cholamu Lake. The trek is quite strenuous and takes around 3-4 days to complete, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking. You can also visit the nearby Phurchachu Monastery, which is a great place to learn about Buddhism and its philosophy.

You can also visit the nearby Thakur Baba Temple, which is located near Nathu La Pass and is known for its beautiful architecture. The temple is dedicated to a saint who is believed to have meditated at the spot for many years.

12. Do-Drul Chorten Stupa

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa is one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim and is located at an altitude of 6,500 ft. It is a house of Buddhist teachings and culture and is a popular pilgrimage site. You can take a guided tour of the monastery and explore the various shrines and statues.

The monastery is also home to a large collection of rare Buddhist artifacts and scriptures. If you are lucky, you may also get a chance to witness the traditional masked dance performances that are held at the monastery every year.

You can also visit the nearby Rumtek Monastery, which is located at an altitude of 12,000 ft and is one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim. The monastery is a great place to learn about Buddhism and its philosophy and is also home to a large collection of rare Buddhist artifacts and scriptures.

Conclusion

Gangtok is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is surrounded by lush green hills and offers spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. With its beautiful monasteries, breathtaking landscapes, and rich culture, Gangtok is an ideal destination for travelers looking for an offbeat experience. In this blog post, we explored the top places to visit in Gangtok and the activities you can indulge in to make your trip memorable. From the Tsomgo Lake to the Do-Drul Chorten Stupa, there are plenty of places to explore and activities to partake in Gangtok. So, if you are looking for a unique and offbeat experience, Gangtok is the place to be!