Welcome to Gangtok
Irreverent, cheerful and pleasantly boisterous, Sikkim’s modern capital is layered along a precipitous mountain ridge, descending the hillside in steep tiers. It's a confusing spaghetti of winding lanes flanked by tall, mostly concrete-block buildings that might appear to be two storeys high from one side but often have several more floors descending behind. As well as a handful of minor sights, there are countless... Read More
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Gangtok activities
7-Night Land of Pristine and Mystic Beauty from Siliguri
Day 1: Siliguri - Gangtok (D)Be picked up at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri and then transferr to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Begin to feel the effects of the increasing tranquility as you journey into the land of monastery, mystic rituals and festivals at an height of 5,480 feet. Check into your hotel, for a free evening and stay overnight at Keepsa Residency or Terrace Vally in Gangtok. Day 2: Gangtok - Tsomgo Lake (B,D)Wake up for breakfast and a day excursion to Tsomgo Lake nearly (2 hours drive). The Lake is oval shaped lake nearly 50 feet deep, generally covered in snow for most of the year the year. Head back to Gangtok and stay overnight in Gangtok. Day 3: Gangtok (B,D)After breakfast drive into the city of Gangtok for sightseeing. There you'll visit the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Research Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Rumtek Monastery Enchey Monastery, White Hall, Flower Show, and Tashi View Point, one of the finest falls close to Gangtok. Stay overnight in Gangtok. Day 4: Gangtok - Pelling (B,D)Transfer to Pelling. One can enjoy the spectacular Eastern Himalayan Range from Pelling. Stay at Norbughang Resort in Pelling. Day 5: Pelling (B,D)After breakfast start a full-day sightseeing and visit some of the most popular attractions including Pemayangtse Monastery, Rimbi Falls, Khecheopalri Lake, Sanga Choeling Monastery and Rabdentse Ruins. Overnight stay in Pelling. Day 6: Pelling - Darjeeling (B,D)Transfer to Darjeeling. Overnight stay at hotel Hermitage in Darjeeling. Day 7: Darjeeling (B,D)Early morning around 3:45 am drive to 8,000 feet through primitive forests of oak, magnolia to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject to clear weather). On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Peace memorial and Batasia Loop. Return to the hotel for breakfast and, after getting some rest, proceed for a city tour to visit Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Ropeway, Tenzing Gumpo Rock, Tea Estate, Natural History Museum, and Peace Pagoda. Also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (closed on Thursday) and Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center (closed on Sunday). If the attraction is closed, you will go to the Japanese temple instead. Transfer back to the hotel for overnight stay in Darjeeling. Day 8: Darjeeling - Siliguri (B)There is no itinerary planned for the day. After breakfast transfer to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport for your journey onward.
Excursion to Rumtek Monastery And Institute of Tibetology
The largest monastery in Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa Lama, the third highest monk in Tibetan Buddhism. It also serves as one of the most important seats of the Kagyu (Black Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet and is also known as Dharmachakra Centre. Another monument covered in the tour is The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, houses a huge collection of masks, Buddhist scriptures, statues, and tapestries. It has over two hundred Buddhist icons, and is a centre of study of Buddhist philosophy. One can visit this heritage museum to involve and know about the culture of Gangtok.Start your day by meeting our driver at the hotel lobby & proceed ahead to cover the he Namgyal Institute of Tibetology ,(Closed on Sunday & govt. Holidays). Enhance your knowledge on Tibet with a visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The institute houses some rare manuscripts, books as well as priceless artifacts of rare Lepcha. Excursion to the Rumtek Monastery which is located 24km away and on the hill, opposite of Gangtok. The monastery is currently the largest in Sikkim. It is home to the community of monks that practice Karma Kagyu lineage. The original building was first built by 9th Karmapa in 16th century. It was later reconstructed by the 16th Karmapa and inaugurated in 1966. The sacred items and relics were brought from Tsurphu, Karmapa's seat in Tibet, and installed here.At noon you will get transferred to your hotel.
Private Half Day Sightseeing at Gangtok
Discover the most famous attractions of Gangtok by getting into a half day city tour that is covered within 3-4 hrs.After pickup from the hotel ,proceed for a half day sightseeing covering Enchey Monastery ,Research Institute of Tibetology (Closed on Sunday & govt. Holidays) , Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom (Closed on Sunday & Govt. Holidays) , Flower Exhibition Center , Chorten Stupa , Tashi View Point , Ganesh Tok . The monasteries in the city have the crash course in history of the state.So start with making a trip to the famous Enchey Monastry that is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptok Korpo, a tantric master known for his power of flying.This 200-year-old monastery has in its premises images of gods, goddesses and other religious objects.Enhance your knowledge on Tibet with a visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The institute houses some rare manuscripts, books as well as priceless artifacts of rare Lepcha. After that cover your tour with the stupas in the city itself. The Do-Drul Chorten is one of the most important stupas in Sikkim.Like the other hill stations, Gangtok has also some of the rare flowers which can be seen in the Flower Exhibition Center.Later visit the building of Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom which shows many different handcrafts & handloom. The tour also covers the great view point as well as a religious Ganesha temple of the city.After enjoying the scenic beauty of the tours , you will be taken back to your hotel till noon. You can enjoy rest of the day in leisure.
Morning Excursion to Tashi View Point in Gangtok
Get picked up from your hotel early in the morning 4:30 am, meet your driver and head to Tashi view point, which is about 8 kms from Gangtok town. Tashi view point offers a sweeping view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks on a clear day. The view of sunrise from here is unforgettable, you will see the peaks dazzling with changing colors, but for that you must reach the point before sunrise. The place is a must visit for nature lovers as it offers great views of the imposing Himalayan mountains, specifically Mount Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu. Also, you can enjoy spectacular views of Labrang Monastery and Phodong Monastery, which are located near the view point. It also offers a resting shed, as well as a shop offering tea, coffee, snacks as well as gift and souvenir items.After spending some time to admire your surroundings, get dropped back off to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
6-Day Private Tour to Gangtok and Darjeeling from Kolkata Including Train Ride in Ghum
After departing Kolkata for your flight to Bagdogra, you’ll be driven to Darjeeling, a beautiful Himalayan city in West Bengal. The next day, head to Ghum (or Ghoom) and board the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (‘Toy Train’) to the summit to watch a gorgeous sunrise over the Himalayas.Your guide will then take you on a sightseeing tour of sites like Ghum Monastery (or Ghoom Monastery), the Batasia Loop War Memorial, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. In the evening, stroll through local markets with your guide and enjoy yummy Indian bites from food stalls (own expense).Your third and fourth days include free time and an enlightening sightseeing tour in Gangtok in the eastern Himalayas. On visits to several monasteries and religious institutions, you’ll learn about Tibetan Buddhism and browse collections of ancient artifacts and religious relics. You’ll then travel back to Kolkata to conclude your tour. Your knowledgeable local guide will teach you about the sites you visit, and you’ll have free time to explore on your own. You’ll stay in your choice of 4- or 5-star hotels, with daily breakfast and dinners and ground transportation by private, air-conditioned vehicle included. You can choose to pre-book your own flights or include them in the tour price. During your free time, you will have access to a private driver (at an additional cost).For details on each day of the tour, see the Itinerary section below.
7-Day Private Tour: Essene of North East India from Bagdogra
Day 01 : Bagdogra Airport - Darjeeling (Approx. 3 hrs)Meet and greet on arrival at Bagdogra Airport and drive to Darjeeling known as "the Queen of the Hills". Check in to your hotel on arrival. You can relax for the rest of the day or do some shopping at the popular mall Chowrasta. Overnight stay in Darjeeling. Day 02: Darjeeling Sightseeing TourAfter breakfast proceed to a sightseeing tour in Darjeeling that covers Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self-help Centre, outside of Tea Garden and Japanese Peace Pagoda. Return to the hotel and take a break. After lunch continue sightseeing tour to Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park. You will have your own personal time in the evening. Overnight in Darjeeling. Day 03: Darjeeling - Mirik - DarjeelingEarly Morning at 04:00 am leave for Tiger Hill to watch the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Khangchendzonga (28,208 ft.), the third highest peak in the world. En-route stopover Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop. After late breakfast join an excursion trip to Mirik Lake (5800 ft) via Pashupati Phatak (Nepal border) and back. Overnight in Darjeeling.Day 04: Darjeeling - Gangtok (Approx. 4 hrs) After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel by our car and drive to Gangtok, “the Capital of Sikkim”. Check in to your hotel on arrival and take it easy for the rest of the day. Overnight in Gangtok.Day 05 : Gangtok SightseeingAfter breakfast we will join a half-day local sightseeing tour of Gangtok covering Rumtek Monastery, Dro-Dul Chorten, Institute of Tibetology, Handicraft Centre, and Flower Show. Overnight in Gangtok.Day 06 : Gangtok SightseeingStart your day with an excursion trip to Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft.) and Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial (13200 ft). Overnight in Gangtok.Day 07 : Gangtok – Bagdogra Airport (Approx. 4 hrs)After breakfast we will take you back to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey.