Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Introduction
Gangtok, the Capital of Sikkim, emerges through the clouds in the shadow of the mighty Kanchenjunga or Kangchendzonga. The mighty sno capped Himalaya tower over this charming Capital City. The bazars of this Himalayan town offer the tourists an opportunity to mingle with smiling hill folk and Lamas with their play wheels. Gangtok and its surroundings are famous for exotic and colorful flowers particularly Rhododendron Orchids and Blue Poppies. Colorful festivals draw visitors, particularly the Tsechu dance held at the Rumtek Monastery and the Kagyat dance performed by Lamas and Buddhist Monks on differen occasions.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
General Information
Altitude
1,547 meters
Climate
Mean Mean
Max. Min.
Summer
20.7C 13.1C
Winter
14.9C 7.7C
Clothing
Summer
Light Woollens
Winter
Heavy Woollens
Best Season
March to late May, October to Mid - December
STD Code
03592
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
How To Get There
Air
Bagdogra is the nearest airport and it is 124 km from Gangtok. The journey by road approximately takes 5 hours.
Rail
The two Railway Stations for Gangtok are Siliguri junction 114 km and New jalpaiguri 125 km. Besides private buses, Sikkim ationalized Transport (SNT) also plies a regular bus service from Siliguri Station to Gangtok.
Road
Gangtok is connected by road with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri. SNT buses and private buses are available for to and fro journeys.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Tourist Facilities
Tourist Cars
Seating capacity 4
Jeeps/ Landrovers
Seating capacity 6
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Guide Service
Approved tourist guides may be engaged through the Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok Bazar
Tel : 22097, 22064
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Travel / Excursion Agents
International Trekking and Tours, Sikkim Himalayan Adventure, Sikkim Travel Corporation, Sikkim Travels & Tours, Snow Lion Treks, Trans Sikkim Tours, Yak & Yeti Travels.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Where To Stay
Hotels (Government Approved)
Medium
Hotel Tashi Delek Ltd.
Mahatma Gandhi Road
Tel : 22991, 22038, 24155-58
Fax : 22362
E-mail: tashidelek@gokulnet.com
Website : www.fhrai.com
http://www.hoteltashidelek.com
Hotel Central
31 - A, National Highway
Tel: 22105, 22553,22573,23566
Fax : 22240
E-mail: central@dte.vsnl.net.in
Website : www.fhrai.com
Hotel Tibet
Paljor Stadium Road
Tel: 22523, 23468, 24962
Fax : 26233
E-mail: hoteltibet@gokulnet.com
Website : www.fhrai.com
For further details, contact your nearest Govt. of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Govt Accommodation
Mandaar Tourist Lodge (WBTDC)
Development Area
Tel : 24314
Hotel Mt Jopuno (Sikkim Tourism)
Tel : 23502
Siniolchu Lodge
Jail Dara
Chandanbari
Tel : 22074
For further details, contact your nearest Govt. of India Tourist Office or State Tourist Office
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
What To See
Chorten
Situated near the orchid sanctuary, one can see the young lamas here working, learning and worshipping.
Deer Park
0.6 km Just near the Secretariat, the Deer Park provides a commanding view of the expansive valleys surrounding the city of Gangtok. The charming Himalayan spotted and musk deer may be seen here.
Enchey Ancient Monastery
5 km set in a forest on a hill, the monastery offers one of the bestviews of the mountain range of Kanchenjunga.
Government Cottage Industries Institute
Situated near the Tourist Office, the institute specializes in weaving, woodcarving and paintings of typical Sikkimese designs. The most popular items are hand woven carpets, blankets, shawls and exquisite tables.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Orchid Sanctuary
Located within the premises of the Research Institute of Tibetology, the sanctuary offers an amazing sight of more than 250 varieties of orchids, which bloom in April-Mayand December-January.
Research Institute of Tibetology
4 km A splendid example of traditional architecture, the institute has a library with a large collection of Tibetan books on science, medicine, astrology and others. It is also a centre of study for Buddhist scholars who come here from all over the world.
Tashi View Point
9 km A popular picnic spot from where one can enjoy a- panoramic view of Kanchenjunga.
Tsuklakhang
1.5 km A sacred place built several decades ago within the premises of the palace. This royal chapel is the scene of many grand ceremonies and festivals. It is a treasure house of monastic art, wall paintings, lavishly decorated altars holding the images of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and the Tantric deities and beautiful woodcarvings.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
At A Distance
Bakkhim
Yaksum is the base for Bakkhim, an exhilarating place with more than 20 varieties of rhododendrons splashing all around the valley. Bakkhim is also the base for mountaineers and trekkers going to Dzongri 10 km away.
Dzongri
Situated at an altitude of over 3962 metres, it offers the most fascinating view of the Kanchenjunga Massif. Just opposite is the Pandium Peak (6890 metres) cloaked in thick snow. To the left is the deep gorge of Goeche-la. The sight of sunset at Dzongri is unforgettable.
Pemayangtse
The Pemayangtse monastery-the sublime lotus - is situated at an altitude of 2085 metres and is the second oldest monastery. Rabdentse near Pemayangtse was once the capital of Sikkim. The walls and ceilings of the monastery are painted with brilliantly hued frescoes of gods and demons. The view of mountain range of Kanchenjunga from here is superb. Pemayangtse is an ideal base for trekking to Yaksum.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Rumtek
A 37-km drive from Gangtok in the west through lovely countryside brings you to Rumtek - a monaster of great beauty and significance. When the Chinese occupied Tibet, His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, the ninth incarnate of the original Gyalwa Karmapa of Tibet and head of the Karmagupa sect of Buddhism, took refuge in Sikkim. The Chogyal of Sikkim welcomed him and gifted him apiece of land to set up a new monastery. And so the beautiful Rumtek monastery was built an exact replica of the monastery at Chho in Tibet. With its beautiful traditional architecture, carved and painted woodwork, magnificent murals and treasures of manuscripts and icons, Rumtek is a splendid example of the Tibetan monastic art in Sikkim. It is now the residence of His Holiness and the headquarters of the Dharma Chakra Religious Centre.
On the spur of a hill, a short walk from the new monastery stands the old Rumtek monastery, which was built in the reign of the fourth Chogyal. It is now entirely renovated and reconstructed andyoung have done the paintings in the traditional style Sikkimese who learnt his trade from the lamas. A precious relic of the old Rumtek is a stone stab marked with the footprint of Guru Padmasambhava.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Tashiding Monastery
A few kilometers from Pemayangtse are the holiest shrine in Sikkim at Tashiding, also known as Chogyal Lakhang. Tashiding stands on top of a thickly wooded hill and is a day's trek from Pemayangtse. Every spring thousands of devout Buddhists trek to Tashiding to participate in a festival and sip the sacred water from at ancient stone jar which, miraculously, never runs dry.
Yaksum
Literally means the "meeting of three great lamas". The first ruler of Sikkim was consecrated by three lamas at this picturesque place. There is also a lovely little lake here. Yaksum is the base for mountain climbing course organised by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Trekking Routes
I. Pemayangtse-Dzongri
(15 days) Pemayangtse -Yaksum - Bakkhim - Dzongri - Thangsing - Goeche-la and back.
II. Pemayangtse - Gangtok
(9 days) Pemayangtse -Yaksum -Tashiding - Brang - Rabongla - Gangtok.
III. Pemayangste - Gangtok
(13 days) Pemayangtse -Yaksum - Bakkhim - Dzongri - Thangsing - Arralunguchuk - Tashiding - Gangtok.
IV. Naya Bazar - Gangtok
(8 days) Naya Bazar - Hilley - Bersay - Dhap - Dantam - Pemayangtse-Gangtok.
V. Naya Bazar - Pemayangtse
(7 days) Naya Bazar - Hilley - Brang - Kalijhar - Chiwabbhanjang - Dantam - Pemayangtse.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Travel Circuits
I. (Darjeeling) - Naya Bazar, Pemayangtse - Yaksum - Kewzing - Navangla - Timitarku - Sirwani (Singtam) - Rumtek -Gangtok - Singtam - Rangpo - Teesta (Siliguri).
II. Namche - Naya Bazar - Chakung - Soreng - Burikhop - Burshey - Hilley - Otterey - Dantam - Burmlok - Leghip - Tattapani. Sikip - Namche.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Entertainment
Cinemas
Denzong, Star
Clubs
Officers' Club, White Hall (temporary membership available); Rotract Club.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Festivals
Durga Puja/Dussehra
October/November
Images of the goddess Durga are set up at different parts of the city and worshipped for four days. On the last day, the images are taken in a procession and then immersed in the river with great ceremony. Dussehra, symbolizing victory of good over evil, is also celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Pong Labsol
December
Celebrated in worship of the snow range of Khangchen - do - zonge or Kanchenjunga. The traditional mask dances by the lamas or monks are performed all over Gangtok.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Sports Activities
Fishing
Rangeet, Ranikhola, Rimbi and Teesta rivers
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Places Of Worship
Buddhist
Monastery
Christian
Scottish Mission Church
Roman Catholic Church
Hindu
Thakurbari Temple
Muslim
Anjuman Mosque
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Where To Eat
Restaurants
Denzong, Green, de Sikkim, Tashi Delek, Karma, Kwality, Norkhil, Orchid.
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Banks / Money Changers
State Bank of India
MG-Road
Central Bank of India
Stadium Road
United Commercial Bank
Stadium Road
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Post And Telegraph Office
General Post Office
Stadium Road
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Hospital / Nursing Home
STNM Hospital
Stadium Road
Tel : 22059
Freeindia > Tourism > Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong > Gangtok
Tourist Information Centres
Department of Tourism
Government of Sikkim
Gangtok Bazar
Tel : 23425
Sikkim Tourist Office
S N T Colony
Hill Cart Road
Siliguri
Tel : 232646
Sikkim Tourist Information Office Sikkim House
Panchsheel Marg
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi
Tel : 6115346
Copyright © by FreeIndia.Org - India Site dedicated to freedom movement, education, culture, All Right Reserved.
