Sikkim Gangtok

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim is located on a ridge at a height of 5500 feet. With a spectacular view of the Khangchendzonga, the town provides the perfect base for travel through the state. Once an important transit point for traders traveling between Tibet and India, it is today a busy administrative and business centre and presents an interesting mix of cultures and communities.

Gangtok is a cosmopolitan town which offers the tourist all possible amenities. Hotels are available in a range of prices along with a variety of eateries serving cuisine for all tastes. Shopping complexes, cyber cafes, night clubs and pool parlours abound for those so inclined.

MG Marg, the main street of Gangtok town is a great place to chill out. The countrys first litter and spit free zone, no vehicular traffic is allowed into the marg. You can sit at the Titanic Park or at the various benches stretched across the mall and take in the carnival like atmosphere, especially during the tourist season. The Mall is lined with shops on both sides of the road so shopping becomes an added pleasure.

MG Marg is also the venue for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in December each year when Sikkims multi-cultural cuisine, along with music and dance performances are showcased. This event attracts a large number of locals and tourists each year.

Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.

Most important places to Visit in Gangtok.

Which all places I can visit along with Gangtok  ?

Tour Itineries along with Gangtok

Best time to visit Gangtok

How to reach Gangtok ?

Most important places to Visit in Gangtok.

Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology , PhurbaChorten, Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok, The Ridge, Tashi View Point, PhurchachuReshi Hot Springs, Changu Lake, Menmecho Lake, Do-DrulChorten,Rumtek Monastery, KabiLongstok, Chungthang.

Which all places I can visit along with Gangtok  ?

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling - Gangtok

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling - Kalimpong - Pelling- Gangtok

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling - Pemayangtse (Pelling ) - Kalimpong -Lachung - Yumthang - Gangtok

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling - Kalimpong - Gangtok

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling - Gangtok

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Destinations Covered: Gangtok - Kalimpong - Darjeeling

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Destinations Covered: Gangtok (02 Nights) - Kalimpong (01 Night) - Darjeeling (02 Nights)

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling – Gangtok – Lachung – Gangtok - Darjeeling

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Destinations Covered: Kolkata - Darjeeling - Gangtok

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Destinations Covered: Darjeeling -Pelling -Kalimpong - Gangtok

Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights

Destinations Covered: Gangtok

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Destinations Covered: Bagdogra - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Siliguri – Kalimpong

Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights

Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling - Mirik - Darjeeling -Gangtok - Rumtek –Phuentsoling - Thimphu – Punakha – Paro - Delhi

Duration: 22 Days / 21 Nights

Destinations Covered: Delhi- Alsisar – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Luni – Udiapur – Deogarh – Jaipur – Agra - Delhi – Darjeeling – Pelling – Gangtok – Phuntsoling – Thimpu – Paro – Delhi

Best time to visit Gangtok

Gangtok is all season destination for tourist in India.

The best time to visit Gangtok, is between October and mid-December when clear views of the Himalayan peaks or next best time to visit is between March and May when the flowers are in bloom. January and February means snow in the higher altitudes and visits to many of the tourist spots are not possible, as roads remain closed. June to September brings heavy rains causing landslides .

How to reach Gangtok ?

How to reach Gangtok by Air

Gangtok doesn't have its own airport; however the nearest airport lies at Bagdogra in West Bengal. Located at a distance of 124 kms from Gangtok, Bagdogra Airport is well connected with Kolkata, Delhi, Patna, Imphal and Guwahati. From the Airport, one can take regular buses, coaches and taxis that take around 4 hours to reach Gangtok.

How to reach Gangtok by Helicopter

Helicopter service is available from Bagdogra to reach Gangtok and vice-versa. To get the benefit of this service, you have to contact your travel agent to get the booking done. Helicopter takes around 20 minutes to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra. This service is available only once during a day and four passengers are allowed at a time.

How to reach Gangtok by Rail

As Gangtok also doesn't have its own railway station, the city relies on two nearest railway stations at New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. These stations are connected to all the major cities of India. Located at a distance of 126 kms and 114 kms, these places are well-connected to Gangtok by road. From station itself, you can take regular tourist buses, coaches, taxis or jeeps to reach Gangtok.

How to reach Gangtok by Road

Gangtok has a well-developed network of roads. National Highway 31A connects Gangtok to Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and other mountain locales. Keeping in mind the weather conditions, the road has been touched up with metal. Regular tourist buses, coaches, taxis and jeeps commute daily to and fro from Siliguri, Bagdogra, Darjeeling and Kalimpong to Gangtok. From Gangtok, Bagdogra, Siliguri, Kalempong and Jalpaiguri lie at a distance of 124 Kms, 114 kms, 75 Kms and 125 kms respectively.

Permit required for Entry for foreigners

Since Sikkim falls at the border region of India, foreigners are required to get an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in addition to Indian visa. This permit can be acquired from the Indian Missions abroad. Moreover, this permission can also be obtained from offices of Sikkim Tourism at Siliguri, Delhi and Kolkata too.