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Gangtok

 

Pop: 30,000
Phone Area Code: 03592
Postcode 734301
Elevation 1675m

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 (223425), 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.

A website to check out is http://www.sikkiminfo.net

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, Internet & Bookshops
You can change cash and travelers cheques at the State Bank of India,MG Marg, behind the tourist center on National Highway. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am to 2 pm & 2:30 pm to 4 pm; Sat 10 am to 1 pm.

Internet at Sip'n'Surf, Lal Market Rd for Rs 35 per hour. Logon.com, MG Marg for Rs 50 per hr.Sikkim Tours, Church St, near the Tourist Centre, has email facilities.

Good Books, just off MG Marg at the end of the arcade has an excellent selection of books and maps on Sikkim. Jainco Booksellers, 31A National Hwy, also has a good selection.

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.

Himalayan Zoological Park
Admission Rs 10. Hours: Daily 10 am to 5pm. Located across from Ganesh Tok viewpoint about 7km from Gangtok. Have red pandas and snow leopards.

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. Ganesh Tok, 7km from Gangtok, has good views.

The tourist office arranges a "three-point" tour that visit the main viewpoint in the area. You can hire a taxi to go to the three main viewpoints for around Rs 500. You can get a shared taxi to Tashi Viewpoint on MG Marg near the Hotel Golden Pagoda for Rs 20 per person.

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 (2 branches)
Tibet Rd opposite the Hotel Lhakpa (223330; fax same)
(225113, Email: donib16@yahoo.co.in), Tourism Bldg, MG Marg
Does treks to West Sikkim and trips to North Sikkim. Nice budget tours. Been around a long time.
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 (222188; fax 222707; Email: sikkimtours@yahoo.com). Located near the police station.
Can do bird watching, photo, rafting and trek tours. Helpful, experienced place.
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 (223546; fax 22707)
Tashila Tours & Travels
National Highway 31A (222979; fax 222155; Web Site http:www.tashila.com)
Does treks, rafting and gompa tours.  Well-established place.
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 (224670), Tibet Rd, is a popular place with travelers that has clean basic rooms for Rs 150/200 and better rooms with a view for Rs 250. Rooms with bath are Rs 275/300 and Rs 400/450 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 (223002), Tibet Rd, has really basic rooms with common bath for Rs 250/350, double rooms with bath for Rs 475, and a room with bath and hot water for Rs 700. 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 (223151), National Highway, is a popular place with travelers that has rooms for Rs 400/45\0.
Hotel Lhakhar (225708), opposite the SNT bus stand, has clean, basic rooms with common bath for 350/425 and with bath for Rs 550/600. 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 (227143; Email: kglay@lycos.com), Tibet Rd, is a family-run place that has rooms with balconies for Rs 550/800. 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 (222566; Email: sig_hsdelek@sancharnet.in), Tibet Rd, is a nice place with clean rooms with common bath for Rs 750 and with bath (but no view) for Rs 1050 and a room with a great view for Rs 1500. There is a good discount in the off-season.
Hotel Tibet (222523; fax 222707; Email: htltibet@yahoo.com), Paljor Stadium Rd, is a popular place with comfortable rooms for Rs 1400/1700 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.
Hotel Golden Pagoda (226928; Email: goldenpagoda@rediffmall.com), MG Marg, has comfortable rooms with good views for Rs 700/800. Rooms are a bit small but are still really nice.

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 (222991; fax 222362: Email: htd@hoteltashidelek.com), on MG Marg, has comfortable rooms for Rs 2900/3200 and suites with a great view for Rs 5000, 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.

Thali, upstairs on MG Marg, has good vegetarian food and thalis. It is in the arcade of Yama House.
Parivar Restaurant, MG Marg, downstair in the Yama House arcade, has good South Indian vegetarian dishes.
Metro Fast Food, opposite Gangtok Lodge on MG Marg, has cheap South Indian food and snacks.
New Kho-Chi Restaurant, 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 Marg, next to the tourist office, has good, reasonably priced Indian and Chinese food.It is a higher end place. This place gets good reviews.
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.
Hotel Golden Pagoda (226928; Email: goldenpagoda@rediffmall.com), MG Marg, has a good rooftop vegetarian restaurants with fairly good views of the area.

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, 120km south.

Indian Airlines (23099) has an office on Tibet Rd. The owner of Green Hotel - Silk Route Tours & Travel (223354), MG Rd, is an agent for Indian Airlines.

RNC Enterprises (228652), MG Marg, is an agent for Jet Airways and books helicopter flights between Bagdogra airport and Gangtok helipad, which is 5km north of town.

Sikkim Helicopter Service arranges the flights between the airport and Gangtok. Flights usually depart Gangtok at around 11 am and depart the airport after the Indian Airlines from Delhi arrives in Bagdogra.

Train The closest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri (130km south). There is a railway reservation counter (222014) at the SNT bus stand with a ticket quota for trains departing from New Jalpaiguri.

Bus The Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) (222016) 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 125), 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).

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