Gangtok

Gangtok

Gangtok is the largest town and the capital of the Indian state of Sikkim. The city lies at an altitude of about 1780 m above sea level. Because of its topography, the city enjoys a mild temperate climate throughout the year. The city integrates different cultures and religion making it a wonderful destination on Earth. The city is a centre of Buddhist learning and culture, the most famous Buddhist site in the city being the Enchey Monastery. The city has a very good transportation network making the place a perfect holiday destination for the tourists. We at Touristplacesinindia.com provide you with complete information on all that you want to know about tourist attractions in Gangtok.

Gangtok Attractions

Kanchenjunga National Park

Access to the heart of Kanchenjunga National Park, including the vast Zemu Glacier, is generally only permitted to mountaineering expeditions or experienced trekking parties using the services of a recognised travel agency. Gangtok travel agencies are best acquainted with the system and usually have the best contacts.

Mountaineering expeditions interested in climbing peaks over 6000m need to obtain clearance at least six months in advance from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (Ph 011-4671211, fax 688 3412), Benito Juarez Rd, Anand Niketan, Delhi 110021. Many peaks are off limits because they are regarded as sacred; climbers have always stopped short of the very top of Kangchenjunga for this reason.

Gezing

The road from Legship leaves the river and ascends high up above the village for 15 km to Gezing. On Friday, villagers from outlying regions bring their produce into town and a colourful and busy market dominates the main square. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at the Central Bank of India, down a lane behind the town square.

Jorethang

Set in the forested Rangeet Valley, the pleasant market town of Jorethang lies 30 km north of Darjeeling. Across the river in West Bengal is Naya Bazaar.

Pelling

Pelling is perched high on a ridge, 2.5 km from Pemayangtse Gompa, and is rapidly developing into a Bengali hill resort. There are great views north to Kanchenjunga and also to the south when the weather is clear. The town has a post office, but no foreign exchange facilities. In Lower Pelling, the Cottage Industries Training Centre sells pullovers, hats and scarves.

Khechepari Lake

Pronounced 'catch a perry', and sometimes spelt Khechepari, Khecheopairi or Khechupherei, this place is a popular objective for trekkers. The sacred lake lies in a depression surrounded by prayer, flags and forested hills. Resist the temptation to swim, as it's a holy place. If you feel like a dip, you can swim in the river downhill from Felling en route to the lake. Take care!

By the lakeshore is the small Lepcha village of Tsojo, and about 1.5 km above the lake is the Khecheopari Gompa.

There is a trekkers ' hut and a Rest House at the lake. The trekkers' hut is grimy and dark - not very salubrious. A bed at the Rest House will cost around Rs 80. There are several chai (tea) shops at the lake. It gets very cold here at night, so bring warm gear with you.

By road the lake is about 27 km from Felling; the hiking trail is shorter, but much steeper, and will take about 4'/2 hours.

From Khecheopari it is possible to continue on foot to Yuksom. The short cut is confusing, so ask for advice whenever you meet anyone en route. It should take three hours to get between the lake and Yuksom.

There's one bus daily between Felling and Khecheopari, leaving Felling at 3 pm (two hours), and returning at 7 am.

Phodong

Phodong Gompa, north of Gangtok along a winding but largely tarmac road, belongs to the same order (Kagyupa) as Rumtek, but is much smaller and less ornate than that gompa. After the 16th Karmapa fled from Tibet and before he established himself in Rumtek in 1959, Phodong was the most important of Sikkim`s three Kagyupa gompas (the third is Ralang Gompa). The gompa sits high up above the main road to Mangan and there are tremendous views down into the valley below.

Phodong is a fairly recent structure, although the original gompa here was founded, like Rumtek, in 1740. The gompa has a community of about 60 monks, many of them born in India after the Chinese occupation of Tibet. They`re very friendly and are happy to show you around.

Yumthang Valley

The Yumthang Valley lies 140 km north of Gangtok, at an elevation of 3564m. This region has recently been opened to foreigners, but trekking is still prohibited. The best time to visit is in April and May, when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. There are hot springs, covered by a wooden shelter. To get here, you'll need to join a tour and the travel agency will arrange the permit. The road from Gangtok follows the Teesta River, crossing a spectacular gorge over the Rang Rang suspension bridge.

Rumtek Gompa

Rumtek, on the other side of the Ranipul Valley, is visible from Gangtok though it`s 24 km away by road. This huge and wealthy monastery is the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The order was founded in the 11th century by Lama Marpa, the disciple of the Indian guru Naropa, and later split into several subsects, the most important of which are Drukpa, Kagyupa and Karmapa. Since 1992 there has been a bitter and sometimes violent dispute over the successor to the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa who died in 1981, with the factions led by two Rumtek abbots, Samar Rinpoche and Situ Rinpoche. The Dalai Lama chose Situ Rinpoche after performing the Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) ceremony in 1993, however they`re still struggling for power. There are police stationed at Rumtek to keep the situation under control.

The chaam, or religious dance, known as Tse Chu, is performed on the 10th day of the fifth lunarmonth (May), and depicts events in Guru Rinpoche`s life. A chaam, presenting the battle between good and evil, takes place two days before the Tibetan New Year (around late February/early March).

Tsongo Lake

Foreigners have recently been permitted to visit this lake (also known as Changu Lake), which is 35 km north-east of Gangtok; technically you should be in a group of four, and need to join a tour (US$ 12). Permits are valid for a day visit only. Numerous agencies in Gangtok offer tours to the lake, and can arrange the requisite permit.

Yuksom

Yuksom (also spelt Yoksum and Yuksam), 35 km by road from Pemayangtse, is the farthest north you can get by road in West Sikkim and is the trailhead for those intending to trek to Dzongri. It's a very peaceful village surrounded by cardamom plantations on a wide shelf above the valley of the Rathong. It was here that the three lamas of the Nyingmapa order arrived to establish Buddhism in Sikkim; the coronation of the first chogyal of Sikkim took place here. The stone throne is next to a big chorten in a small hall not far from the Hotel Tashi Gang.

Dubdi Gompa, an hour's walk uphill from Yuksom, was the first capital of Sikkim, and was where the first monarch of Sikkim was crowned in 1641. It's worth a visit (if you can brave the leeches), but there are no monks here and it's only opened during special Buddhist festivals. The police check permits at the start of the Dzongri to Goecha La trek, so don't try setting off without.