Gangtok
Gangtok became a center of Buddhist pilgrimage after the construction of Enchey Monastery in 1840. During the reign of the British in India, the place became a major stopover on the trade route between Tibet and Kolkata. Since 1894, the city also served as the capital of Sikkim under the rule of king Thutob Namgyal. The scenic beauty of the mountain ranges and the dense forest started attracting tourists to the place. Now tourism is one of the major industries which provides income to the common people in Gangtok.
Gangtok tourism gives you the opportunity to relish the beauty of Kanchenjunga. The deciduous forest in the region consists of Birch, Oak, Elm, Poplar, rare Orchids, and coniferous trees. Tourists enjoy the visit to Tsogmo lake, Nathu La pass, Zoological park, and Ganesh Tok. The cable car ride is an exciting experience that gives a panoramic view of the steep mountain. Adventure lovers can involve trekking, paragliding, and parachuting. A stroll through the MG road in Gangtok is a great experience. You can do some shopping and enjoy the local cuisines of Gangtok from the cafes. Hence the visit to the tourist destination will be a complete tour package.
Top attractions in Gangtok
Best Time To Visit Gangtok
The best time to visit Gangtok is during the autumn and summer seasons. The time between mid- September and December is great as the landscape is adorned with green vegetation and you can also see a clear view of the Kanjenchunga ranges. Summer which falls between March and May is the blooming season of Rhododendron flowers. The pinkish-blue shade of the blossom fills the valley is an ecstatic sight.
Winter in the region is cold. There are many snow adventures during this time of the year. If you are lucky, you may be able to see rare snowfall in the Gangtok valley.
It is better to avoid monsoon which occurs between July to early September. There is a risk of landslide in Gangtok during this time of the year.
How To Reach Gangtok
You need not worry too much about how to reach Gangtok. You can take a flight or train if you want. But we recommend that you drive to the place if you are from the vicinity, or hire a taxi.
- By Air: The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra in West Bengal. It is almost 124 kilometers away from the destination. You can hire a cab or a shared taxi from the airport and reach the tourist destination in 2 hours. Depending on the weather condition, helicopter service is available from the Bagdogra airport to Gangtok.
- By Rail: The New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri is the nearest railway station to Gangtok. Taxi services are available from the station to the destination which is 148 kilometers away. You can reach the spot in 3 to 4 hours.
- By Road: There are public transport vehicles from nearby cities to Gangtok. A shared taxi is very common in these areas. If you prefer to drive yourself, you will have a wonderful time. You can reach Gangtok from Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kolkata. The roads are mostly in good condition. So you need not worry about that.
