Located in the mountainous region of northern India , Gangtok is the capital of the state of Sikkim . Originally , Gangtok was established in 1840 as a Buddhist pilgrimage site , but when the British rule ended it became an independent monarchy and joined India in the year 1975 . It is famous for its scenic and breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga , which is the world’s third highest peak .
The population of Gangtok has a very diverse ethnicity , people here belong to ethnicities like Ghorkhas , Bhutias , Lepchas and many more . The most famous activity here is trekking from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake . The path from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake is very steep and about 40 kilometres long . The lake is situated at an altitude of 3,753 meters and Gangtok at an elevation of 1,700 meters , so you can imagine how steep the path is . This adventure is wholesome and thrill filled .
How to get here :
The city of Gangtok is well connected by roads railway and airports . The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra which is located about 126 kilometres away from the city . From there you can hail a cab or get on a bus to reach your destination . If you want to get to here by train then you would have to get on a train to Siliguri Railway Station . From there you can get a bus or a cab . Gangtok is well connected by roads too but there is always a risk of landslide in certain areas of the region .
Things to do:
Gangtok is a beautiful and famous tourist destination in India . There are a lot of things to do while here . Cable Riding has become a very popular tourist activity. The Cable Ride here is in a zig – zag form of shape and starts at Deorail and takes its passengers all the way to Tashiling whilst offering a bird’s eye view of the city.
There is also an interesting thing to do in Gangtok , which is a Yak Safari . The Yak Safari according to tourists is an unforgettable experience . You get to see some of the most beautiful places in or near Gangtok while on a Yak .
River Rafting is also a very popular tourist activity in Gangtok . It is a very adventurous experience where you get to raft in the Teesta River . People of all levels of rafting from I to IV can do rafting here .
About 4 kilometres away from Gangtok , you will find Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary . This sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and covers 12 sq. miles of land . You will find many special species of plants , some of them are endangered . The endangered ground orchids and rhododendrons are the most beautiful of them and interspersed among the tall junipers and silver firs throughout the forests . This sanctuary is part of the Sacred
Himalayan Landscape . The best time to visit the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is during the months of May , June , October and November , because during this time the weather is pleasant , dry and warm .
Nearby Places :
There are a lot of places to visit near Tsomgo Lake . Some of the most famous and most visited tourist destinations are:-
Namchi , the cultural epicentre of Buddhism in the state of Sikkim . The word Namchi translates to ‘ top of the sky ‘ . It is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Gangtok . The most fascinating thing about this place is that it offers a breathtaking view of the Ranjit Valley and Khangchendzonga range . Here , you can also find many Buddhist pilgrim centres and a life – sized idol of Guru Padmasambhava .
Ravangla , often referred to as a picture postcard destination , is located 64 kilometres away from the capital city . Located between Tendong Hills and Maenam , Ravangla gives tourists the most beautiful and scenic view of the Himalayas . Filled with beautiful monasteries and aromatic tea plantations , this place is a pradise for its visitors .
Lachung , a quiet place located at an altitude of 8,610 feet . It is located beside the Lachung river and is one of the most charming and pristine places to visit near Gangtok .
Pelling , famous for its beauty and fun filled activities like rafting , kayaking , trekking and mountain biking . Pelling is filled with sparkling waterfalls and lush green forests . This place gives you a beautiful view of not only the Himalayas but also of the Kanchenjunga peak . Here , you can also visit the Darap Cherny village and enjoy the waters of the Kanchenjunga Waterfalls .
Yumthang , also called the flower valley of India . Yumthang is located just 4 hrs away from Gangtok . This valley is home to exotic wildflowers and is surrounded by snow capped mountains . The best time to visit this place is during spring when the valley is glamorous and scenic owing to the vibrant colorful flowers .
ALSO READ: SIKKIM Top 10 Amazing Places To Visit
Places to Stay :
Based on surveys and ratings and reviews the best and affordable places to stay at Gangtok are :-
- The Elgin Nor – Khill — ₹ 8,400 . ( per night )
- Hidden Land — ₹ 8,093 . ( per night )
- Medang Residency — ₹ 7,251 . ( per night )
- Lemon Tree Hotel — ₹ 6,086 . ( per night )
- VC The Namdul Boutique Hotel — ₹ 5,820 . ( per night )
The best time to visit Gangtok is during the months of October to December . Especially in December because the city of Gangtok becomes more beautiful in the winters and you can also be able to see snowfall .
WebStory: Gangtok | Sikkim Gangtok
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