Experiences

MG Marg, the main hangout place for the daily commuters and travellers, lies in the heart of the city and is the best place to chill out, socializing, fine dining and shopping. Dedicated only for the pedestrian, this area is perhaps the cities first litter and spit-free zone. Gangtok’s best dining and shopping centre, MG […]

There is plenty to do in Gangtok. An exciting helicopter ride would allow you to enjoy the panoramic and birds’ eye view of the entire city. Sikkim Govt conducts several rides during wintertime when the sky remains clear. Each of the flights gives a majestic close-up view of the Himalayan peaks like never before. It […]

You must visit the Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology – the most prestigious research institute of its kind in the world. NIT has a treasure collection of rare Lepcha and Tibetan manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas (religious scroll painting). It also has an attractive museum and over 200 Buddhist icons. Established in 1958, this institute […]

A stroll in Ridge Park, a small stretch of flat land above Gangtok town, is an ideal way of spending your leisure hours. It stretches from the gates of the Historical Suklakhang Palace of the erstwhile Namgyal kings to the White Hall building, built in the memory of the first Political Officer of Sikkim. This […]

The Government Institute of Cottage Industry was set up in 1957 as a centre for the preservation and development of the traditional arts and crafts of Sikkim. It takes a few minutes to walk from the main Gangtok market. The emporium at the institute sells an array of local traditional Sikkimese items like Carpets, typical […]

8 km away from Gangtok is the Himalayan Zoological Park. With an area of 205 hectares, this semi-natural environment is home to several Himalayan animals living in open enclosures in their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you might see the Red Panda, Sikkim’s state animal, along with Tibetan wolves, panthers, Civet cats or even […]

This 200-year-old monastery is an important seat of the Nyingmapa order, was built by Lama DruptokKarpo, a tantric master known for his power of flying. Enchey Monastery has in its premise, images of gods, goddesses and other religious objects. Every year around January, a religious mask dance, known as “Chaam”, is performed with great fanfare […]

At a distance of 7 km from Gangtok, this popular viewpoint gives a bird’s eye view of sprawling Gangtok town, along with Mt Kunchenjungha and Mt. Siniolchu. A cafeteria here serves hot tea, coffee and snacks. The view you get from here on a clear day is truly breathtaking. The snow peaks provide a perfect […]

To enjoy the panoramic view of the city a ride of the ropeway is a thrilling experience. The ride takes you to the highest point of the city, covering a distance of about 1 km in only seven minutes. This is a popular attraction for the locals and tourists.

Tsongo Lake, at an altitude of 12,400 ft, is the prime attraction for the people visiting Gangtok. The ethereally beautiful alpine lake is 38 km from Gangtok and takes about 2 hours by car. A winding road takes you to Tsongo Lake close to the Tibet border through rugged mountain terrain and sharp cliffs. The […]

Nathula Pass that connects India with Tibet used to be an important trade route between two countries before 1962. This historical corridor was closed after the Indi-China war and now is a major attraction for Indian tourists. Located around 56 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 14450 ft, the road to Nathula goes beyond […]

Tashi Viewpoint is another hilltop from where one gets a breathtaking view of Mt. Khangchendzonga, one of the most graceful peaks in the world. An Observatory Tower, Cafeteria and Public amenities give service to the tourists visiting here. The best time to visit is place is early in the morning to get the stunning sunrise […]

Rumtek Monastery, the seat of His Holiness, The Gyalwa Karmapa of the Kargyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is situated around 23 km from Gangtok, on the other side of the hill. With a nice, rural setting, Rumtek is a quiet getaway and an ideal half-day excursion from the town. The drive to Rumtek from Gangtok […]

For the hikers, an easy day trek to Tinjurey in Phambong-lho Wild Life Sanctuary can be fascinating. Starting from Tashi Viewpoint, at a distance of 8kms from Gangtok, the trek has few steep climbs in some initial stages and covers 5kms in about 2.5hrs. The hike goes through the dense forests of magnolia, maple and […]

At a distance of one and half hour drive from Lachen, lies Chopta Valley with its virgin appeal. Located adjacent to Thangu Village, this valley at 13000 feet, is one of the few accessible places in Sikkim, where you can walk over the frozen river during winter. During spring, the valley sets ablaze with the […]

Rabom, a small on the way to Lachen, become popular for producing Angora Rabbit Wool. The farmhouses have an in-house workshop, where the local villagers prepare warm nice looking caps and other products from Angora wool. This place gives a nice shopping break for travellers coming from Gangtok or when they leave Lachen on their […]

One of the topmost attractions in North Sikkim is a visit to Gurudongmar Lake. Situated at a height of 17,800 feet, it is one the highest alpine lakes in the world and considered the most sacred lakes by the Buddhists and Sikhs. The journey to this awe-inspiring lake starts from Lachen and takes about 3hrs […]

Thangu, the last village in North Sikkim, is situated at an altitude of 13,500 ft and is one of the highest settlements in the world and the highest in Sikkim. Thangu is a village of nomadic Yak herders and is about two hours’ drive from Lachen. This small village provides a stopover for the people […]

Yumthang, popularly known as the ‘Valley of Flower’ is situated at a height of 11800 feet. From Lachen, it takes only a drive of 1 hour to reach. Yumthang is an attractive excursion for nature lovers who come to North Sikkim. For nature lovers, this valley provides a fascinating blend of flora and fauna with […]

A drive of another 20 km from Yumthang takes you to Yumesamdong, at an altitude of about 16,000 feet. The rugged vegetation-free mountains, over here present a breathtaking scenario, especially in the months of November-December and February¬March.

Phodong is a Buddhist monastery located around 38 km from Gangtok. Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal built this Monastery in the 18th century, and It belongs to the Kargyupa sect. It celebrates its annual ‘chaam’ or mask dance on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar.

Amongst all types of Adventure activities, Paragliding holds a special place – it is simply free flying with the aid of simple-shaped craft parachutes. Flying like a bird high up above in the sky from where you can see almost everything and everyone stayed only a fantasy until the adventurous experience of paragliding came to […]

How many Sikkim Souvenirs can you pick – not many, right? Wait till you read this. It may possibly be the state that is minuscule by location, however, it has a rich culture so it wants to commemorate through its garments, jewelry & ritual things. The final time once I had visited their state, used […]

Anywhere you go within the state prayer that is colorful fluttering in the air welcome you. They would be found by you on foothills, at waterfalls, on roadsides, on paths causing the ponds and merely about everywhere. Prayer flags are supposed to spread the prayers floating around for the goodwill this is certainly general of. […]

Thangka paintings are found throughout the Himalayas – in Bhutan, Nepal, Ladakh not to mention Sikkim. You will find Thangkas in cotton, silk, and undoubtedly report. They are mini paintings depicting either the views from Buddha’s life, Buddhist deities & Bodhisattvas, or perhaps the mystic Mandalas. You connect with the iconography, choose the main one […]

This might be my souvenir that is favorite from. A performing bowl is something you may have noticed in numerous Buddhist monasteries. Performing bowls are metallic bowls, I assume manufactured from combined metals. They often have mantras engraved on it. What exactly is intriguing about these bowls is you proceed the rim for the bowl […]

A prayer wheel is Small cylindrical containers mounted on a holding stick and with a bond that is beaded from this. Often, the cylinders are created in material. High-end people generally have rocks which can be valuable them. What is more essential could be the prayer scrolls which can be held in the cylinder. Exactly […]

Then chances are you must buy the Sikkimese dress this is certainly quite like a Nepalese dress if you’re one of those who likes to dress like a neighborhood or collects regional dresses. They are next-door neighbors needless to say. Formal dresses are available silk and brocade, and often into the textile that is thick […]

I know the reference to Himalayan Jewelry brings visuals of Turquoise rock jewelry. This time around I stepped just a little deeper than just getting the beautiful stone jewelry that is blue. We sat having a jeweler that is local asked him to spell out in my experience the traditional designs being native to hawaii. […]

They are pendants come in the shape of an field that is ornate maintain the prayer scrolls inside them. Often it had been also used to keep herbs which can be sacred relics of departed gurus. Typically made from silver they usually have healing stones embedded inside them. Turquoise is one recovery that is such […]

These are stunning earrings that can be worn by the Lhasa ladies. The identification this is certainly distinct of lengthy earrings is the fact that they end in a lotus bud. Akor earrings are covered in Turquoise stone and coral that is red be present to give the hint of red. They used to be […]

Giant wood masks are used by Buddhist monasteries and Lamas for rituals and dances that are ritual. Watch this video of Cham Dance to see the variety of masks in action. Masks are also employed by typical visitors to reduce the chances of the eye that is evil bad spirits. You can see masks hanging […]