The capital city of the northeast Indian state of Sikkim, Gangtok is a glorious travel destination, perfect for nature-loving tourists and thrill-seeking adventurers. Located in the eastern Himalayas, this region is rich in culture and nature. A lovely hill station, Gangtok is a mystical place awash in otherworldly beauty that easily rivals anything you might see in the fictitious land of Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings film series. Aside from Gangtok’s beauty, this mountainous town offers exciting adventure sports, sensational yak expeditions, soothing hot springs, and more. If you want to delve into a one-of-a-kind escapade, then read on to uncover the best things to do in Gangtok, India!
Good to know:
- According to Sikkim Tourism, the best time to visit Gangtok is during the summer, when the temperature is at its most pleasant.
- Tourists can also refer to Sikkim Tourism for information about Protected Area Permits and Restricted Area Permits, which they might need to access some areas.
Outdoor Escapades: Explore the stunning natural beauty of Gangtok
Gangtok features gorgeous natural beauty, including lush forests, snowcapped hills, and pristine lakes. Moreover, it offers several exciting adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Check them out below!
1. Try the daunting Goechala Trek
If you love trekking and would like to explore high mountains, then Goechala Trek is one of the best things you can enjoy, in Gangtok. There are, in total, 15 big summits you can view on the trek, including Kanchenjunga. Many trekkers consider Goechala to be the closest to the big mountain trek, near Nepal. The best time to capture the beauty is between October-November. You need to be very fit in order to complete the whole trek. The last place where you will find an ATM and mobile network is in Yuksom.
Goechala Trek
Address: Sikkim, Gangtok
Website: Goechala Trek
2. Experience paragliding in Gangtok
God didn’t give us wings, but the desire to fly never left our consciousness and paragliding makes a fine substitute. Paragliding is another popular attraction in Gangtok which gives breathtaking views of the Himalayas. You don’t need to be an expert in paragliding, as there are many tour operators who offer complete safety. You can take a flight over the city and head towards Luing Resithang, which is close to Gangtok’s Khel Gaon. The starting point for a medium flight is Baliman Dara and a high flight is Reshithang village.
Paragliding in Gangtok
Address: Sikkim, Gangtok
Website: Paragliding in Gangtok
3. Seek serenity at Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo Lake, also known as Changu Lake, is situated at an altitude of 12,310 feet (3752 meters). Tsomgo can be roughly translated to “source of water”. It is one of the most divine bodies of water nestled between towering snow-capped mountains, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) outside Gangtok. This glacial lake’s water is dazzling — a brilliant aquamarine hue. Pretty translucent ice covers the lake in wintertime and in the summer, the lake’s bank offers a multitude of blooming wildflowers. Be aware special permits are required to visit Tsomgo Lake.
In 1962, this was part of an old trade route between India and China. Some parts of the route used to be very treacherous and dangerous. Even though a proper road has been built, the conditions usually remain bad due to snow and foul weather conditions. According to legends, the spiritual gurus of Sikkim used to study the color of the water of the lake.
Tsomgo Lake
Address: Sikkim, Gangtok
Website: Tsomgo Lake
Traveler's tips
If you're ever in Gangtok, don't miss out on Tsomgo Lake. I stumbled upon this gem during a spontaneous trip, and it's a scene straight out of a postcard – surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains. It's surprisingly accessible, just a couple of hours' drive from Gangtok, and the journey itself is a visual treat. Do wear something warm, though; it can get pretty chilly. And if you're lucky like I was, you might even catch a glimpse of yaks roaming nearby.
4. Enjoy a bird's eye view from the Ropeway Cable Ride
The Ropeway Cable Ride is one of the greatest attractions in Gangtok and you should not miss it. This double cable ropeway has been operational since December 2003 and during high season, the queue is usually long as the car can take only 24 passengers, at a time. You will go through three stations during the 1 km (.6 mile) long ride. The first stop is Deorali, near the Institute of Tibetology. From this point, you can collect your tickets and await your turn to take the elevator to the cable car station.
Ropeway Cable Ride
Address: Syari Rd, Deorali Bazar, Gangtok
Website: Ropeway Cable Ride
5. Embark on a rafting adventure on the Teesta River
River rafting on the Teesta River is one of the most adventurous things to do in Gangtok. Making its way to Gangtok, the waves of the Teesta River encourage adrenaline junkies to challenge the waves. While passing through Sikkim’s capital city, this river offers you some of the most enthralling rafting experiences as it travels through gorges and valleys, offering picturesque scenes and making for a memorable experience.
Rafting starts from Makha town which is an 11 km (6.8 mile) circuit and continues till Rangpo. You can also enjoy overnight stays with your friends and bonfires, here.
River rafting in Teesta
Address: Teesta River, Monpong, Sikkim
Website: River rafting in Teesta
6. Take Instagrammable pictures at the Tashi View Point
Enjoy the beautiful snow-capped mountains from close quarters at the Tashi View Point. You need to travel 8 km (5 miles) from Gangtok to view this amazing point. The Tashi View Point offers an exceptional view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks, on a clear day. Sunrise and sunset are the most amazing times to enjoy this scene. As the day passes, you will find the peaks illuminated by the changing colors of the sun’s rays.
The best time to reach to point is 5 am. If you are arriving from the road level, you’ll need to climb steep stairs. Be ready with your camera to capture the beautiful sunrise at Tashi View Point, in Gangtok.
Tashi View Point
Address: Tashi View Point, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Website: Tashi view point
7. Hike the Nathu La Pass
Nathu La Pass is a drive which is included in almost all tour packages of Gangtok and Sikkim. This wonderful place is located at a height of 14,140 feet (4,310 meters) above sea level and is one of the highest mountain passes in the world.
Nathu La Pass
Address: Tsomgo Lake, Gangtok, Sikkim 737101
Website: Nathu La Pass
Traveler's tips
A lot of the high-altitude passes in the northeastern states are under a cover of snow year-round, with snowfall most of the year. Therefore, access to these depends on weather conditions. This is on the way to Nathu-La Pass in Sikkim, which we unfortunately could not visit during our trip due to snow on the roads. Visitors should be slightly flexible with their itineraries when visiting higher altitude areas.
Cultural Treasures: Soak in the vibrant culture of Gangtok
When you’re done admiring the natural beauty of the hill station, dive deep into its vibrant culture. Try the local flavors, buy colorful souvenirs, and visit the awe-inspiring monasteries for an enriching experience!
8. Shop local products from Lal Bazaar
Lal Bazaar is located in east Sikkim and portrays the true colors of the region. Local farmers from around Gangtok congregate here to sell their products in this market. Especially on Sundays, Gangtok’s Lal Bazaar is a melody of colors where you can find various ethnic groups from different villages. The old market has been reconstructed into a shopping complex named Khangchendzonga shopping plaza. You can easily find dried fish, vegetables and cheese here and it is the ideal place for taking photographs of local vendors who are selling their products.
Lal Bazaar
Address: MG Marg, Vishal Gaon, Gangtok, Sikkim
Website: Lal Bazaar
9. Pray to Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Tok
Hanuman Tok is a temple of Lord Hanuman and “tok” means temple. This temple gives you wonderful and serene ambiance and a viewing area that offers a spectacular view of Kanchenjunga. The temple is located at an altitude of 7,200 ft (2194.6 meters). You need to climb stairs to reach the temple and if you get tired along the way, you can rest on benches and take in the greenery. It is believed that Lord Hanuman took a rest for a moment at this place when he was on his way to the Himalayas. People believe that if you wish for something in this temple, then your wish will surely be fulfilled.
Hanuman Tok
Address: Gangtok, Sikkim 737103
Website: Hanuman Tok
10. Gain an insight into the simple life at Zuluk
Village of Zuluk is a tiny mountain hamlet that offers a rich and interesting past. Residing on the ancient Old Silk Route, which was once used for trading wool, fur, and silk between India and Tibet, Village of Zuluk stands at an elevation of 10,100 feet (3,078 meters) and is truly a remote gem of simple village life. The 500 inhabitants of Zuluk make their living through agriculture but with the increase in tourism, some villagers open their homes for lodging.
For the chance to see awesome views of the village of Zuluk, check out Thambi Viewpoint, about 8.69 miles (14 kilometers) from Zuluk. It offers not only sights of Village of Zuluk’s tranquil beauty, but fabulous sunrises over Mount Kanchenchunga.
Village of Zuluk
Address: Gangtok, India
Website: Village of Zuluk
11. Explore the serene Buddhist monasteries
Gangtok is at the heart of Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture. The home of numerous Buddhist monasteries and various religious teaching institutions, you can not stroll the streets of Gangtok without hearing the lively sound of drums, dramatic gongs, and the melodic chanting of solemn monks.
The peaceful Enchey Monastery is one of Gangtok’s most significant monasteries. Showcasing an eye-catching Chinese pagoda-style architecture, this monastery is a standout — displaying a massive collection of dynamic masks that are worn at a variety of festivals by the monks to perform the vibrant famed mask dance. Enchey Monastery is situated on a ridge overlooking Gangtok and provides excellent views of the hill station.
Enchey Monastery
Address: Gangtok, Sikkim 737103, India
Website: Enchey Monastery
Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)
Price: Free
12. Buy some black cardamom
If you’ve eaten spicy Chinese braised meats, peppery Vietnamese pho noodle soup, or savory curries, then you’ve sampled black cardamom. This smoky-flavored herb offering a hint of mint is utilized in many Indian dishes such as hearty stews, saucy lentil plates, and fluffy rice pilafs. Known also as badi elaichi, black cardamom is grown in abundance in Gangtok. In fact, about 90 percent of India’s black cardamom comes from Gangtok. Aside from a food ingredient, Chinese and Indian home remedies use black cardamom for bothersome ailments such as constipation and dysentery - as well as relief from asthma symptoms.
Explore gorgeous Gangtok
If you desire an incredible mix of endless natural grandeur that is a feast for the eyes and spellbinding ancient customs and traditions that are a salve for the soul, then Gangtok should not be overlooked. Visit this beautiful hill station and keep this list of things to do handy during your trip!
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