Call: +91 7384718607
Call: +91 7384718607
If you are a traveller and you are curious to explore the beauty of nature, culture, tradition, and heritage under one package then you must plan your holidays in the capital city of Sikkim—Gangtok.
Gangtok is situated in the east district of Sikkim. Gangtok is surrounded by the beautiful Himalayas and lies under the shadow of Mt Khangchendzonga.
Gangtok offers visitors a variety of new experiences that one must have in their life. Talking about Gangtok, it is one of the cleanest towns in India and has also been awarded for the same. Gangtok has also been praised for the quality of life it beholds. People from Gangtok are well educated, fashionable, and fun-loving in nature. As we all know, the weather of Gangtok is the most soothing to live in. Tourists from all over the world visit this hill station and enjoy the life of Gangtok. What else does the traveller need?
Before visiting Gangtok, you must know about the different “things to do in Gangtok,” so here are my suggestions on the things to do in Gangtok:
1. Shopping at MG Marg, Gangtok
MG Marg is the most prominent place in Gangtok. This place is situated in the heart of the town and is also considered to be the most happening place in Gangtok. Shopping here gives you a plethora of choices, from leading fashion brands and cosmetics to traditional souvenirs. Apart from shopping, MG Marg is a place to rejuvenate your soul. The place is beautifully decorated with fountains, lights, and a walkway of nearly 2 km. MG Marg is the must-visit place for everyone of any age group.
2. Gangtok sightseeing
Gangtok is surrounded by beautiful locations. The outskirts of this town offer you all types of tourist hotspots. Places like Hanuman Tok, Bulbulay, Banjhakri Falls, Do-Drul Chorten, and White Hall are some marvellous places to be. Many travel agents offer you a complete Gangtok sightseeing package at an affordable rate.
Video: Gangtok Echoes
Hanuman Tok, Gangtok
3. Food to try in Gangtok
Gangtok is renowned for its choice of restaurants and cuisines, from Chinese to Italian and Indian to continental. Momo is one of the most popular dishes served here in Gangtok. The taste of momo here in Gangtok is so vibrant in your mouth, and it is served with different types of dips (chutney). Apart from momo, try the other local foods and beverages—one of the most recommended things to do in Gangtok.
Video: A night in Gangtok
Local Sikkimese cuisine
4. Cable car ride, Gangtok
Gangtok translates to "hilltop" and offers you the experience to be in a cable car and witness the beautiful landscape. Gangtok looks very beautiful from up above, and this joy ride of the town is one of the best things to do on your visit.
Cable car ride, Gangtok
5. Adventure sports in Gangtok
If you are an adventure lover then Gangtok is the best place to be. There are different types of adventure activities that you can try out to boost your adrenaline. A few kilometers away from the main town is a paragliding hotspot where you can fly and experience the thrill of viewing the city and the Himalayan ranges. You definitely need to add this to your list of things to do in Gangtok.
Paragliding in Gangtok
There are many motorcycle lovers who visit Gangtok for experiencing off-road rides. Many tour operators and travel agents here rent bikes for off-road biking. Biking is a great way to enjoy the thrill of riding on different types of terrain here.
Gangtok also offers opportunities for hiking and trekking too. Tinjurey hike from Golitar is one of the most recommended hikes. Even if you’re an amateur hiker or not even that, you do not want to miss this, so add it to the things to do when in Gangtok.
6. Visit monasteries in Gangtok
The cultural heritage of Sikkim is so rich and diverse that it offers you a variety of sights to see. Visiting monasteries and feeling the essence of Buddhism is why some visitors pay a visit to Gangtok. The outskirt of Gangtok is blessed with beautiful monasteries. Rumtek is considered to be the home of the 16th karmapa, and it beholds great significance in Buddhist culture. Apart from Rumtek monastery, Lingdum Monastery, Chorten, and Enchey Monastery are also interesting to visit. If you desire to explore the greatness of Buddhist culture, Gangtok is the best place to be.
7. Winter carnival in Gangtok
The best months to visit Gangtok are mid-April and October to January. If you are visiting in the winter season, one of the many things to do in Gangtok is attending the winter carnival held at MG Marg. Gangtok hosts a winter carnival every year, which showcases different musical and cultural talents. The festival offers a mix of music, dance, and food. This week-long carnival here at Gangtok is one of the major recreations for tourists and locals alike.
Winter Carnival, Gangtok
8. Picnic in Gangtok
Being with family or friends demands a picnic and Gangtok offers you a wide range of picnic spots. You can visit Saramsa Garden and enjoy a day having good food and being in a garden or else visit the seven sister waterfall situated at the outskirt of Gangtok, which is also an awesome place to go for a picnic. And if you love riversides, Ray kola situated nearly 13 km from Gangtok can be a joyful place to be.
Saramsa Garden
9. Bird watching in Gangtok
The Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary situated at the outskirt of Gangtok is a habitat for different varieties of birds, making it a paradise for bird watchers. You can spot red blood pheasants and Himalayan monals here. If you are a nature lover, this is one of the things to do in Gangtok.
10. Helicopter ride in Gangtok
Sikkim is one of the most beautiful tourist spots. Covering the entire four districts can take a lot of time, but being in Gangtok you can get lucky to witness all the beautiful places through a joyful helicopter ride. This is one of the many wonderful things to do on your visit to Gangtok. Boarding from Gangtok, this helicopter gives you the ride of entire Sikkim, covering all the major tourist attractions of the state. You can’t miss this helicopter ride in Gangtok.
11. Morning sunrise view in Gangtok
One of the most important things to do when visiting a hill station like Gangtok is to view the sunrise. Nearly 3 to 4 km from Gangtok, there is a place called Tashi Viewpoint, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise from a good advantage point. At 6 am, Gangtok town looks beautiful while covered under the first rays of the sun. Tashi Viewpoint is one of the must-visit places in Gangtok.
Tashi Viewpoint, Gangtok
12. Shopping at Lal Bazar, Gangtok
Lal Bazar is the main shopping complex in Gangtok and is also known as Khangchendzonga Shopping Complex. This age-old market in Gangtok is the lifeline for the commuters to buy all the essential commodities. At Lal Bazar, you can enjoy the organic vegetable market and local food stalls besides other shops that sell a variety of things from clothes to household items.
Video: Everyday Lal Bazaar
13. Flower Exhibition Centre, Gangtok
With the flourishment of floriculture in the state, Gangtok is a paradise for flower lovers. Gangtok is decorated with flower pots, and different varieties of flowers can be seen in every corner of this town. In the heart of Gangtok, there is a flower exhibition center where a variety of orchids and many other different varieties of flowers are grown and exhibited throughout the year.
14. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Museum, Gangtok
This museum is located in Gangtok. It showcases different manuscripts, thankas, and traditional arts and crafts of Buddhism. The museum is a replica of great Tibetan culture.
15. Stay at a homestay in Gangtok
Homestay is a place where one can experience local hospitality at its finest. You have local families hosting you in their homes, and it gives you an opportunity to closely observe day-to-day life. Gangtok has a number of urban and rural homestays you can choose to stay in.
Related video: Homestay hopping in Sikkim
Local homestay, Gangtok
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