Top 6 things to do in Gangtok
1. Visit the Rumtek Monastery
Located 23 km away from Gangtok, the Rumtek Monastery is one of the largest in Sikkim. It belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists who originated in Tibet in the 12th century. The monastery is located on top of a hill, surrounded by lush greenery. The whole ambience of the place is of utmost peace and calm. Tourists can enjoy a grand view of the entire valley from up here. A beautiful shrine temple is built inside the monastery. There is a massive prayer hall, adorned with beautiful murals and statues. A golden stupa and other sculptures belonging to the 16th Karmapa are preserved here in Rumtek Monastery. There are also some old religious scriptures.
2. Enjoy a drive to the Nathu La Pass
Nathu La Pass, situated on a height of 14,140 feet, is one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. Located near the Indo-Tibetan border, it is one out of three open trading border posts between India and China. Gangtok to Nathu La is about a 2 hours drive filled with scenic views at every turn of the road. Snow-covered mountain peaks and streaming waterfalls keep making appearance all along the way. The drive from Gangtok to Nathu La is one of the best experiences of your trip.
3. Yak Ride at the Tsomgo Lake
The Tsomgo Lake, located at an elevation of 12,313 feet, falls on the way from Gangtok to Nathu La. This high-altitude lake gets its water from the snow melting off the surrounding mountains. During the winters, the lake gets completely frozen. The Tsomgo Lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains makes for a captivating picture.
One of the most exciting things to do at Tsomgo is to take a yak ride. Don’t take your car all the way up. Step out of your vehicle, and enjoy the rest of the journey on the back of a yak! The memorable yak ride gives you a chance to soak up the mesmerizing beauty of Tsomgo Lake at a slow and gentle pace.
4. Take a Ropeway Ride
One of the top attractions in Gangtok city is the aerial ropeway that makes a zig-zag way through this hill town. There are a total of 3 stations on this ride. Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited [DRIL], a leading ropeway construction company, operates the Gangtok ropeway facility. The ride begins at Deorali, near the Institute of Tibetology; the next station is at Namnang; and the topmost station is in Tashiling. The ropeway ticket includes a two-way ride on the complete route, but passengers can get in or get out at any spot. The cable car has no seats inside, so tourists have to remain standing. The complete ride takes about 7 minutes. The Gangtok Ropeway ride is truly enjoyable as you get an amazing bird’s eye view of the entire Gangtok city. On beautiful sunny days when the sky is clear, you can be lucky enough to witness a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga.
5. River Rafting at Teesta
Teesta River, also known as the lifeline of Sikkim, flows thunderously through the gorges and valleys surrounding Gangtok. Teesta, along with its tributary Rangeet, have Grade 1 to 4 rapids. It is said to be one of the best rafting regions in India. There are multiple rafting routes on both the Teesta and Rangeet rivers. Especially the turbulent waters of Rangeet pose an exciting challenge for seasoned rafters. One of the best rafting routes on Teesta is an 11 km long stretch, starting from from Makha to Rangpo going through Sirwani. As the river passes through some picturesque landscapes, you get a chance to witness the raw beauty of nature.
6. Experience Paragliding
Gangtok boasts of some amazing panoramic views with its lush green valleys and snow-capped mountains. In recent years, paragliding has emerged as a favorite sport here. As you fly like a bird in the sky, witness the most enchanting views of picturesque mountain valleys and quaint villages. The best spots for paragliding in Gangtok are: Baliman Dara for a Medium Fly from 1400 meters; and Reshithang village for a High Fly from 2200 meters.
