Gangtok
The heart of Sikkim
Gangtok Tourism
This hilltop town is the doorway to the dynamic life and culture in Sikkim. The winding roads here go up and down the hills connecting small towns running along the rocky valleys with streams. Starting with the ropeway in Gangtok to get a different perspective of the place, you can enjoy the brilliantly coloured monasteries, live and clean street markets later taking the adventure to the next level with a transforming trekking experience in the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges. The colourful festivals, calm loving lifestyle and delicious food in Gangtok can definitely quench your thirst as a traveller.
Gangtok Photos
WHEN TO VISIT
Gangtok is an ideal tourist destination as it is beautiful and lively almost round the year. Except for two months of the monsoon season that can be a bit of a challenge, Gangtok is mostly bright and bustling with tourists. This place transforms brilliantly with seasons but each unique and better to the likes of travellers.
Gangtok in summer (May-June)
Summer season is the most crowded time and the weather is moderately warm. This is also a good time if you wish to explore the North and West parts of Sikkim which are hard to visit in winter.
Gangtok in Monsoon (July-September)
This is the least preferred time to visit. These two months can be a bit hectic to handle in Gangtok as landslides are frequent and road traffic is sometimes restricted.
Gangtok in winter (October-February)
The initial days of winter in Gangtok is pleasantly cool, but the cold gets severe by the mid of the season and temperature drops to sub-zero. But if you are ok with a bit more of cold and love winters Gangtok is perfect at this time of the year.
How to reach
Gangtok can be accessed by road from Siliguri, Kampong. Kolkatta, and Darjeeling. The nearest Railway station and Airport are around 148 km and 124 km respectively. The best path to get to this place from other parts of the country is y flight and then reach Gangtok by a cad.
How to Reach by Flight
The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, West Bengal, nearly 124 km away. you can hire a cab to get to Gangtok in just 2 hrs and the route is famous for its stunning views.
How to Reach by Train
The nearest railway station is Jalpaiguri in Siliguri which is about 148 km from Gangtok. This station is well connected to other major cities of India like Delhi and Kolkatta. Once in Siliguri one can get a cab or take the state bus to Gangtok that takes almost 5 to 6 hrs to reach the city.
How to Reach by Bus
State Buses are available from all the nearby towns like Siliguri, Kolkatta, Kampong and Darjeeling
How to Reach by Road
The roads here are winding up and down the hills, they are mostly well maintained and gives splendid views of the valley and hills around. Gangtok is accessible directly only by roads and it can be accessed from Kolkatta, Siliguri, Kampong and Darjeeling.
How to travel within
To get around in Gangtok you can hire bikes or cabs at reasonable rates. And some of the tourist spots here can be accessed by the state buses as well.
Popular Hotels in Gangtok
DINE & DRINK
Gangtok has a very strong culinary culture. The cuisine here is unique in how the tastes and traditions of neighbouring places are mixed to form its own flavours and variety of dishes. The food here is influenced by Indian Nepali Tibetan and Bhutanese food. Even though the dishes are similar to the ones available in the nearby places, the flavours are far more surprising and unique. once in Gangtok, one ought to try some of its specialities like:
Gundruk and Sinki soup: Homemade sour soup hard to get in restaurants.
Churpi: A fermented dairy snack.
Kinema curry: A curry made of fermented soya beans.
Momos: Steamed or fried dumpling with vegetable or meat fillings.
Thukpa: A soupy noodles
Phagshapa: A dish made of strip pork fat radish and chilli.
Sael Roti: A homely rice flour snack.
Tomato pickle: A common side dish.
Gangtok Itinerary
Day 1: Acclimatize and sightseeing in Gangtok
Day 2: Nathula pass, Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir.
Day 3 & 4: Peiling attractions
Day 5 & 6: Yumthang attractions
