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86,000 Phone Area Code: 03592
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is located on a ridge that overlooks
the Ranipul River. Gangtok means “High Hill.” There are
good views of the Kanchenjunga (Kangchendzonga) mountain range from
many places in the city. Parts of the town have traditional wooden houses.
It is a nice place to visit.
Gangtok
is an industrial town and is also expensive because of its popularity
with wealthy Indians. It is especially crowded during the Durga-puja
celebration in late September or early October, and is best avoided
at this time.
Orientation
There is a ridge that runs along the east side of town. In the north,
on the ridge, are the telecommunications tower and the Enchey Gompa.
East of town is the palace, and just south of the palace is the Tashling
Secretariat complex. Most of the facilities are west of the ridge along
or just off the town’s main road, the road to Darjeeling (National
Highway 31A).
Information and Permits
The
Sikkim Tourist Center (22064), corner of National Highway and MG Rd.
Open daily during the season 9 am to 7 pm and between June to August,
Mon to Fri 10 am to 4 pm.
During
the high season, the tourist office organizes a tour of Gangtok in the
morning to the Government Handicrafts, the Chorten, Deer Park, Orchid
Sanctuary, and Enchey Gompa. The afternoon tour goes to the Orchidarium
and Rumtek Gompa. There are also tours to Phodong and West Sikkim.
Permits
to visit West Sikkim are obtained at the Permit Office, which is located
in the same building as the tourist office. Open Mon to Sat 10 am to
4 pm. To visit North Sikkim or Tsongo Lake, visitors need to apply with
four people and have the trip arranged by an authorized travel agency.
It is best to have the travel agency arrange the permit. You can apply
for a permit extension at the Government of Sikkim Home Office, Tashiding
Secretariat.
Government
Institute of Cottage Industries, National Highway, north of the center
of town, has a showroom selling Sikkimese carpets, thangka paintings,
carvings, and handloom products. They are made on the premises, and
you can view them being made. Open daily except Sun 9 am to 12.30 pm
and 1.30 to 4 pm.
Money
and Internet
You can change cash and travelers cheques at the State Bank of India,
behind the tourist center on National Highway.
Sikkim
Tours, Church St, near the Tourist Centre, has email facilities.
Enchey
Gompa
This interesting gompa of the Nyingma-pa order is located about 3km
northeast of the center of town. Especially interesting are the religious
chaam dances held on the 18th and 19th days of the twelfth lunar month
(January). A masked lama performs the dance. It is a 45-minute walk
from town.
Tsuk-La-Khang
(Royal Chapel)
This beautiful building is the main place of worship for Buddhists in
Sikkim. It contains statues of Buddha, of Bodhisattvas, and of Tantric
deities. It also possesses a good collection of scriptures, nice wall
paintings, and woodcarvings.
Visitors can usually visit only during Losar (the Tibetan new year)
in late February or early March, at which time religious dances are
performed by Buddhist monks depicting the victory of good over evil.
If you are highly respectful, they may allow you in at other times.
Orchid
Gardens Sanctuaries
The Orchid Sanctuary is home to as many as 450 species
of orchids that are found in Sikkim. The best time to visit is April
and early May, and between Sept and Dec. Open Daily 8 am to 4 pm.
The
Flower Exhibition Centre has orchids and other flowers.
Open April to June and Sept to Nov, daily 10 am to 6 pm.
The
Orchidarium is an orchid sanctuary located off the
road to Rangpo, 12km south of town. A local bus stops there.
There
are nice gardens at White Hall, the chief minister’s
residence.
Namgyal
Institute of Tibetology
This institute was established in 1958 to promote Mahayana Buddhism
and Tibetan traditions. It has a great collection of thangkas, manuscripts
on Mahayana Buddhism, masks, and other works of art. They sell books
on Tibetan Buddhism and crafts. Open Mon to Fri and every other Sat
10 am to 4 pm; admission Rs 3.
Do
Drul Chorten and Gompa
This large white chorten is in the south part of town and is easily
visible from many places. It is surrounded by 108 prayer wheels (should
be turned clockwise). About half a km from the chorten is a gompa with
large statues of the Buddha and Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), who spread
Buddhism in Tibet after his arrival in 747 AD.
Deer
Park
This is a good viewpoint located near the Secretariat. A good time to
come is when the deer are fed at 7.30 am.
View
Points
It is a nice walk to Tashi Viewpoint, 9km north of town, passing Enchey
Gompa on the way. There is a good view of the sun rising over Kanchenjunga.
Hanuman Tok, 8km from town, has a temple and is a good viewpoint.
Trekking and Tour Agencies
To do the Dzongri trek to Kanchenjunga or to visit North Sikkim, visitors
require the services of a travel agency. Agencies can arrange tours
of the gompas, white-water rafting, and some agencies rent equipment.
Bayyul
Tours & Travels
27 Super Market (737-101)
Does treks to Dzongri and other areas.
Blue Sky Tours & Travels
Tibet Rd opposite the Hotel Lhakpa (23330; fax same)
Does treks to West Sikkim and trips to North Sikkim.
Hangu Travels
MG Rd (23517)
All around travels agency that does treks in Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan,
and foreign exchange and airline tickets.
Mahayana Tours & Travels
Room 23, Super Market Complex (23885; fax 22707)
Does treks and gompas tours.
Mayur Travels
National Highway 31A (23473; fax 22707)
Does local sightseeing.
Namgyal Sherpa
Tibet Rd (23791)
Does treks and expeditions in Nepal and other places.
Orchid Tours & Treks
15 Supermarket (22197)
Treks to Dzongri.
Potala Tours
Paljor Stadium Rd (22041)
Does treks at reasonable prices.
Sikkim Tours & Travels
Church Rd, near the private bus stand (22188; fax 22707)
Can
do bird watching tours.
Sikkim Trekking & Travel Services
Room #1, Super Market Complex (23638; fax 22707)
They are professional and can organize trips to Bhutan and the Northeast
states.
Sikkim World Expeditions
Zero Point, National Highway 31A (23494; fax 24195)
Trips to North Sikkim.
Siniolchu Tours & Travels
Paljor Stadium Rd (23546; fax 22707)
Tashila Tours & Travels
National Highway 31A (22979; fax 22155)
Does treks, rafting and gompa tours.
Yak & Yati Travels
Hotel Superview, Zero Point, National Highway 31A
(22714; fax 24643)
Does good tours at reasonable prices.
Yoksam Tours & Travels
National Highway 31A (23473; fax 22707)
Does treks to West Sikkim and trips to North Sikkim.
Where to Stay
During the peak season lodging is expensive in Gangtok. The lower priced
places are usually full. There are often up to 30% discounts in the
off-season from January to March and July and August. If an electric
heater is available you will have to pay extra to use it in the budget
places. During the winter you may want to ask about heating and hot
water, as it can get very cold.
Where
to Stay—Lower
Modern Central Lodge (24670), Tibet Rd, is a popular place with travelers
that has clean basic rooms for Rs 70/90 and better rooms with a view
for Rs 125. Rooms with bath are Rs 125/150 and Rs 200/250 with bath,
hot water and good views. There is a TV room and a restaurant. It is
a well-managed place and there is a travelers book with some useful
comments. Has a snooker room. Recommended.
Hotel Lhakpa (23002), Tibet Rd, has really basic rooms with common bath
for Rs 100/150, double rooms with bath for Rs 225, and a room with bath
and hot water for Rs 300. It is a well-managed place.
Primual Lodge (23599), Church Rd, has basic rooms with common bath for
Rs 125/165. It is a good place.
Green Hotel (24049; fax 23354), MG Marg, near the tourist office, is
a popular place that has clean rooms with bath (bucket hot water) for
Rs 200/300 and Rs 400/500 for a room with bath and constant hot water.
Some of the cheaper rooms can be a bit dreary.
Siniolchu Lodge (22074), near Enchey Gompa, has rooms with bath (bucket
hot water) for Rs 125/200 and a room with constant hot water for Rs
200/300. It is away from the center of town and has good views. It is
a good value.
Orchid (23151), National Highway, is a popular place with travelers
that has rooms for Rs 300/350.
Hotel Lhakhar (22198), opposite the SNT bus stand, has clean, basic
rooms with common bath for 150/225 and with bath for Rs 350/400. It
is a friendly place. Recommended.
Hotel Laden La (23058), near Lall Market, has basic rooms with common
bath for Rs 175/250. The rooms in the front have good views.
Sunny Guest House (22179), near the Private bus stand, has rooms with
common bath for Rs 250 and with bath for Rs 400 to Rs 450. It is a well-managed
place.
Blue Heaven Lodge (23827), Paljor Stadium Rd, has clean rooms with bath
and hot water for Rs 250/300 and better rooms with a view for Rs 400/500.
It is a friendly place.
Where
to Stay—Middle
Pine Ridge Hotel (24958) has small rooms with bath for Rs 450/550 and
larger rooms for Rs 400/500. It is a good place.
Gangtok Lodge, MG Marg, across from the tourist office, has rooms for
Rs 450 and a room with a view for Rs 500. They offer good discounts
in the off-season.
Hotel Superview Himalchuli (22714) is a well-managed nice place with
double rooms with bath for Rs 650. Dorm beds are Rs 75. There are great
views and there is a telescope for seeing the mountains. It has an outdoors
garden restaurant.
Hill View (23545), MG Rd, New Market, is a friendly place that has a
quiet location and a nice garden. Rooms are Rs 700.
Travel Lodge (23858), Tibet Rd, is a family-run place that has rooms
with balconies for Rs 450/550. Rooms on the top floor have good views.
Yatri Niwas, Paljor Stadium Rd, is a nice place with clean, comfortable
rooms for Rs 650 to Rs 900.
Hotel Sonam Delek (22566), Tibet Rd, is a nice place with clean rooms
with common bath for Rs 550 and with bath (but no view) for Rs 850 and
a room with a great view for Rs 1000. There is a good discount in the
off-season.
Hotel Tibet (22523; fax 22707), Paljor Stadium Rd, is a popular place
with comfortable rooms for Rs 1100/1400 up to Rs 1800/2400. The good
restaurant here is the best one in town. It is a nice, peaceful place.
Denzong Inn (22692; fax 22362), next to the Denzong Cinema, near Lall
Bazaar, has comfortable rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 500/700.
You can cook here for Rs 200 per day. Some rooms face the roof terrace,
from where there are great views of Kanchenjunga. Recommended.
Hotel Mount View (23647), on Paljor Stadium Rd, has comfortable rooms
with bath, hot water and a TV for Rs 500/600 up to Rs 900/1100.
Where to Stay—High
Norkhill Hotel (25637; fax 25639), near the stadium, has comfortable
rooms for Rs 3000/3200 without meals and Rs 3600/4300 with meals. It
used to be a royal guesthouse and has nice gardens.
Netuk House (22374; fax 24802) is a nice old traditional place with
rooms with hot water for Rs 2000/2800, which includes meals. It is a
quiet place with good views. It has only eight rooms. Recommended.
Hotel Tashi Delek (22991; fax 22362), on MG Marg, has comfortable rooms
for Rs 2400/2700 and suites with a great view for Rs 4200, which includes
meals. The rooftop garden has a great view of Kanchenjunga. The lobby
has a traditional Tibetan design. Recommended.
Where
to Eat
The budget hotels usually have cheap restaurants that serve Indian,
Chinese and Tibetan food.
Metro Fast Food, opposite Gangtok Lodge on MG Marg, has cheap South
Indian food and snacks.
New Kho-Chi Restaurant & Bar, below the Gangtok Lodge on MG Marg,
has Indian and Chinese food.
Oyster Restaurant has Indian, Chinese, Tibetan and Continental food.
It is a mid-range place.
The Green Hotel has good cheap food.
Blue Sheep, MG Rd, next to the tourist office, has good, reasonably
priced Indian and Chinese food.
Kikis Garden Restaurant, on the highest floor of the Super Market, has
a Sikkimese buffet for Rs 90 per person. There are good views of Kanchenjunga
from here.
Snow Lion Restaurant in the Hotel Tibet is the best place in town. It
has very good Indian, Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese food. A main dish
is around Rs 60.
Blue Poppy Restaurant in the Hotel Tashi Delek, has good Sikkimese,
Chinese, Indian and Western food. The Sikkimese food should be ordered
a day in advance.
Local
Travel
You can go to most places in town for Rs 25. To hire a taxi for a day
to visit the local tourist sites including Rumtek and Enchey gompas
costs around Rs 600. To go to Rumtek roundtrip with an hour waiting
time is around Rs 325.
Travel
Air The closest airport (5 hr by taxi) is in Bagdogra,
125km south. Indian Airlines (23099) has an office on Tibet Rd. Josse
& Josse (24682), MG Rd, is the agent for some airlines flying out
of Bagdogra. The owner of Green Hotel (24049; fax 23354), MG Rd, is
an agent for Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.
Train
The closest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri (130km south). There
is a railway reservation counter (22016) at the SNT bus stand with a
ticket quota for trains departing from New Jalpaiguri.
Bus
The Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) bus stand is on Paljor Stadium
Rd, but when arriving you may want to get off at the corner of MG Rd,
where some hotels are located. The Private bus stand is on National
Highway, about one km south of the SNT bus stand.
Buses should be booked in advance, especially during the Durga Puja
festival (Sept/Oct). The booking office is open 9 am to noon and 1 to
2 pm.
There
are state buses to Darjeeling (7 hr), Kalimpong (3 hr), Bagdogra (4½
hr) and Siliguri (5½ hr). Private buses departing from the private
bus stand go to Siliguri, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. You can get to Darjeeling
or Kalimpong by taking the bus that goes to Siliguri and changing at
Teesta Bazaar.
Buses
within Sikkim go to Rumtek (1½ hr, 4 pm), Jorethang (4 hr, 7
am and 2 pm), Phodang (2½ hr, 4 daily), and Gezing (for Pemayangtse
5 hr, 7 am & 1 pm) via Rablonga and Legship.
From Legship you can get a bus to Yuksom and Tashiding.
Taxi
& Jeep From Lall Market, shared jeeps go to Rumtek (1 hr) and Tsongo
Lake (2 hr). From Children’s Park, jeeps go to places in West
Sikkim such as Gezing (5 hr), Pelling (6 hr) and Jorethang (3 hr) and
places in North Sikkim such as Phodang (2 hr) and Tsongo Lake (2 hr).
From the Private bus stand you can get a shared jeep to Siliguri (3½
hr, Rs 95), Kalimpong (2½ hr, Rs 60) and Darjeeling (4 hr, Rs
115).
Around Gangtok
The
most visited place in the area is the Rumtek Gompa. The second most
visited place is Phodong Gompa. From Tashi View Point, 8km from Gangtok,
there is an eastern view of Kanchenjunga and beautiful Siniolchu (6888m).
If you know of
a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update
our listings, please e-mail us at:
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