Gangtok Tour Packages

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim state, is one the most popular hill station destinations in the North-eastern part of India. Offering a blend of Buddhist culture and idyllic natural beauty, Gangtok is the perfect choice for almost any kind of traveller. The pristine views and pleasant Gangtok weather attract visitors to this Sikkim tourism spot nearly all year round.

If you wish to travel to Gangtok, MakeMyTrip makes things simple by putting together the relevant Gangtok sightseeing, hotels and all relevant inclusions into a range of Gangtok packages for you to choose from. Whether you are planning to book a Gangtok tour package with your family or friends, or shortlisting options for a Gangtok Darjeeling honeymoon, you will find a range of options at MakeMyTrip.

Best time to visit Gangtok

Gangtok weather remains amiable nearly all year round, and tourists can pick when to visit according to their preferred activities and season. The monsoon months of July and August bring rain and may be avoided.

If you wish to explore the various Gangtok tourist places in detail, then the best time to visit Gangtok for that purpose would be the summer season from March to June. During these months the Gangtok weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing. On the other hand, the months of October to February offer cooler temperatures. If you wish to enjoy the winter chill and fewer people around, then the best time to visit Gangtok would be December to February.

How to reach Gangtok

Gangtok does not have direct connectivity by train or air, but can be reached by air and train coupled with road travel.

By Air: The closest operational airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra (approx. 4 hours’ drive). Direct flights to Bagdogra are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad etc. From Bagdogra, travellers can continue to Gangtok by taxi cab. There is also a helicopter service between Bagdogra and Gangtok but it is subject to operation.

An airport has also been opened at Pakyong in Sikkim which is much closer to Gangtok, but as on date there are no flights operational to this airport.

By Train: The nearest railway station for Gangtok tourism is New Jalpaiguri (approx. 4 hours’ drive). Trains to New Jalpaiguri are available from a number of major Indian cities. From New Jalpaiguri, travellers can reach Gangtok by cab or by taking a bus from nearby Siliguri.

By Road: If you are planning a Darjeeling Gangtok tour package, or a road trip to Gangtok, you can also opt to reach Gangtok by cab or self-drive car from various other cities like Darjeeling etc.

Now that you know how to reach Gangtok, let’s move to the subject of Gangtok sightseeing.

Places to visit in Gangtok

Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake or Changu Lake is one of the most sought-after places to visit in Gangtok. Located at an altitude of 12,400 feet, Tsomgo Lake lies 35km from Gangtok and can be visited in a day-trip. This oval-shaped lake is highly revered by Buddhists as well as Hindus. The stunning lake lies surrounded by high snow-clad peaks and is fed by the melting ice nearby. If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the migratory Brahminy Duck while visiting this lake. Visitors are required to obtain a permit to visit Tsomgo Lake.

Baba Mandir

Located between the Nathula and Jelep La Pass in Sikkim, Baba Mandir is a memorial that was built to pay homage to an Indian soldier Harbhajan Singh, who died during the Indo-Chinese War at Nathula-Darra in 1962. As per local belief, Baba Harbhajan Singh still guards the border between India and China. Many people also believe that the place has a healing spirit, and a bottle of water left there could cure illness after consumption. Indian nationals need to procure a permit to enter Baba Mandir. Foreign nationals are not allowed inside.

Nathula Pass

The famous Nathula Pass is 56 kilometers away from Gangtok and it usually requires a full day trip to completely experience the place. This spot was once a part of the historic Silk Route between India and Tibet. On the way to Nathula, visitors can also stop at the world's highest altitude ATM in Thegu. Due to the scarcity of oxygen in the air at the Nathula Pass, people with breathing problems or other health problems are recommended not to visit. Another famous tourist spot, Baba Mandir, is located close by.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

Established in the year 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a centre of Tibetan culture and history. It promotes research on the history, language, art, and culture of the Tibetan people. The foundation of the institute was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama and it was inaugurated by the late Prime Minister Pandit Nehru. The building is an excellent example of traditional Sikkimese architecture. The museum of the Institute exhibits a unique collection of statues, ancient manuscripts, paintings, and other relics.

Tashi View Point

Tashi Viewpoint on the outskirts of Gangtok offers a perfect view of the mountains. Built by the late Sikkimese king Tashi Namgyal, this famous Gangtok tourist spot offers picture-postcard views of Kanchenjunga snow peaks, the Phodong Monastery and the Labrang Monastery. This is one of the most scenic places to visit around Gangtok and is popular with photographers.

Rumtek Monastery

Perched on a hilltop 23 km away from Gangtok, Rumtek Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Sikkim. It is one of the most important places to visit in Sikkim and a visit here is highly recommended as a part of your Gangtok tour package. The monastery contains some of the rarest Buddhist artworks in the world including silk paintings, wall murals, thangkas and other sacred objects. The monastery has viewpoints from where a visitor can get a wonderful view of Gangtok town.

Do Drul Chorten

The Do Drul Chorten of Gangtok is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist shrines of Sikkim. Located near the Institute of Tibetology, the Chorten is considered one of the important places to visit in Gangtok. Surrounded by 108 prayer wheels with mantras inscribed, the stupa is an ideal place to practice meditation. The interiors of the religious monument contains holy books, relics, and several other religious objects.

Banjhakri Falls

Another pleasant Gangtok tourist place, the Banjhakri Waterfall offers a tranquil ambience to visitors inside a beautifully landscaped park called Energy Park. There is also a man-made lake here with a dragon figure at its centre. The park is dotted with numerous gazebos and elements of Sikkimese architecture. It is an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic and take photographs against the scenic backdrop. You can spend a pleasant morning or evening at Banjhakri Falls on your Gangtok trip.

Bakthang Falls

The Bakthang Waterfall is one of the most refreshing Gangtok tourist spots. Originating high up in the mountains, the gushing water falls over a green canopy. With pleasant views all around, it’s a wonderful sight. Adventure seekers can also experience rope sliding here. From this spot, visitors can also enjoy great views of the Kanchenjunga peak as well as Gangtok town. Tourists can also stop at this waterfall on the way to Tashi View Point.

Khecheopalri Lake

Sacred to Buddhist and Hindus, the Khecheopalri Lake is one of the most sacred lakes in Sikkim. Located at an altitude of 6000 feet above sea level, it is approximately 6 hours away from Gangtok and close to Pelling. Visitors can visit this lake in a day excursion from Gangtok. Visiting the lake involves an uphill trek for about one kilometer. There are many legends around this lake, and it is also believed that visiting this lake can lead to fulfilment of one’s wishes. A visit to this sacred lake is an important inclusion in a Gangtok tour package. It is also very popular with trekkers and adventure travellers.

What to eat in Gangtok

An essential aspect of Gangtok tourism revolves around the local cuisine. Apart from exploring the various Gangtok tourist places, visitors should also try and explore the food of Gangtok, with dishes such as Momos, Thukpa, Sha Phaley, Gyathuk and the local beer known as Chang.

Recommended restaurants in Gangtok:

Baker’s Café and Rolls House for fast food, cocktails, coffee, etc.

Taste of Tibet and Taste of Sikkim for authentic regional cuisines

Mu Kimchi for Korean food

Dynasty Wine and Dine for a variety of cuisines and desserts

Chopstick for Non vegetarian Chinese delights

Interesting things to do in Gangtok

Apart from covering the main Gangtok tourist places through a Gangtok sightseeing tour, there are other interesting things to do in Gangtok for a memorable holiday. Here are some suggestions:

Yak Ride: One of the unique things to do in Gangtok is the yak ride at Tsomgo Lake. Visitors to this Gangtok tourist spot have the opportunity of taking a short ride on these huge yet docile animals, which is probably a once in a lifetime experience. Children find this activity particularly interesting.

Cable Car ride: If you are travelling with your family, one of most interesting things to do in Gangtok is a ride on the cable car at the Gangtok Ropeway. This short ropeway ride of about 20 minutes offers panoramic views of Gangtok town, the surrounding valley, and the State Legislature building. This is a great inclusion to have in a Gangtok package.

Helicopter ride: For a memorable Gangtok trip, you can opt to try a unique way of exploring the various sights of Gangtok. Try a helicopter joyride instead of a usual Gangtok sightseeing tour. This would be a 15 minute chopper ride over Gangtok, giving you and your companions a bird’s eye view of the town and its surroundings. This is a perfect experience to add to a Gangtok honeymoon package.

Paragliding: For those wishing to add the spice of adventure to their Gangtok packages, paragliding is one of the most thrilling things to in Gangtok. This is tandem paragliding, with a trained and certified pilot accompanying, hence even a first-timer can easily go in for the activity. Add a paragliding session to make your Gangtok trip even more fun-filled.

Attend prayers at a Monastery: For a unique, spiritual and peaceful experience during your Gangtok trip, you can choose to attend the evening prayers at one of the famous monasteries in Gangtok. The atmosphere, as all the monks gather in the prayer hall to chant as one, is both moving as well as uplifting. The melodious chanting and music will surely create an impression in your mind.

Trust this guide to Gangtok tourism, how to reach Gangtok, and the important places to visit in Gangtok will help you narrow down on what you wish to do while you are on your own holiday. So don’t wait any more, pick out your preferred Gangtok packages, and start planning that much-awaited Gangtok trip!