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Sikkim
Sikkim-pristine and un-spoilt natural beauty and peace loving people
Tour to Gangtok – How to go
Jul 17th
Leisure – Gangtok
Shopping
The main markets for shopping are Old market, new market and market of Lal. Here are all kinds of shops that offer a variety of items to be purchased. For tourists there are many attractive items to be bought as carved furniture, the dresses, Lepcha weave bags, Carpets and Durries decorated with intricate designs and colors. You can also buy wooden and bamboo artifacts. To a collector of handmade decorative pieces Gangtok is a paradise. Gangtok items leave a lasting impression in the minds of visitors. Hindi speaking countries Marwaris dominates many of the shops in the Gangtok market.
Craft and handloom directorate showroom are at the intersection of MG Marg and New Market. The exhibition hall Gramin Vikas Agency is also located here. In these showrooms you can buy carpets, masks, bright pictures Choktse, Thanka hangings.
How To Get There – Gangtok
By Air
The nearest airport is Bagdogra, which is 124-km from Gangtok (about 4 hours drive) and connected by air with important Indian Metros. For full details, please contact any of the Sikkim tourism offices.
By train
The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, which is 125 km (about 4 hours drive) from Gangtok. NJP is well connected with major cities of India. Gangtok, railway bookings can be made at the booking counter of the Sikkim nationalized transport terminal.
By road
Gangtok is connected with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri by the National Highway 31 A. Sikkim nationalized transport layers regular bus services between Gangtok and Siliguri and within Sikkim. Private buses, jeeps and taxis are also available from Siliguri and Bagdogra. Reservations can be made at the end SNT, Siliguri.
Places to Stay – Gangtok
Gangtok hotels offers good enough for a comfortable stay. There are youth hostels and various lodges, which offer tourists a comfortable stay in Gangtok.
General Information – Gangtok
Indian tourists require no entry permits into Sikkim, except for restricted areas. Foreign tourists need a special permit, which is readily available in all Indian missions abroad who are authorized to issue a permit for 15 days. The same can be obtained from any of the Sikkim Tourism offices. The tourism official in the border town of Rangpo is also authorized to issue a two-day permit to foreign tourists to enter the state can buy the full license for 15 days.
Location
East District, Sikkim.
Altitude
1,870m.
Best Time
Mid- February To May End & Mid – September To December.
Tour to Gangtok – Nearest Places
Jul 17th
Near to Gangtok
Lake Changu (35Km.)
With an average depth of 50 m, this lake is located 35 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 12,000 feet on the Gangtok – Nathu the road from Los Angeles. Recently this lake has been opened for tourists. Its water is cool and quiet in perfect harmony with the scenic beauty around. A small temple of Lord Shiva is constructed on the lakeside. Primulae flowers and other alpine vegetation grow wild around the lake. The department of Tourism conducts tours to this lake. The cameras are not allowed to carry on this route. A short distance from the lake is a natural beauty three floors cave Tseten Tashi cave is a worth a visit.
Chungthang (95Km.)
Another typical named “Tung” and then reach a Chungthang. Chungthang is a small room in a cup like valley, surrounded on all sides by towering mountains. Although its altitude is only 500 feet, is much colder than Mangam. The heavy, cold air in the valley remains dormant until the morning than later. Only when the sun is high up on the horizon and its warm rays pierce deep into the valley that the lazy, the cold wind and fog slowly leaving. The primary significance of this place is that it is at the confluence of two valleys and two major rivers in the north of Sikkim: Cho Cho Lachung and Lachen, the latter known as the Teesta. We will be following the Lachung Cho for the next part of the trip. For Sikkim and members of the Indian army, Chungthang is a place of major religious significance. The Sikkimese believe that the Guru had rested Padmasabhava In and left three tracks of his devotees on a solid piece of rock. The guru also some rice scattered in a nearby site, where even today, despite the altitude and cold, rice-growing efforts to replicate this phenomenon in adjacent fields have managed to convince members of the Sikh army India believe that the footprints are those of Guru Nanak and so are the main figures in the mural paintings inside the nearby monastery.
Ganesh Tok (7Km.)
It is situated on a hill and is only 7 kilometers from Gangtok. From this point one must put on the birds of Gangtok town down long hills, while Mt. Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu looming over the horizon. A cafeteria serves hot tea / coffee and snacks.
Hanuman Tok (11Km.)
It is 11 km from Gangtok town, above Ganesh Tok with a Hindu temple where devotees come and offer prayers.
Kabi Longstok (25Km.)
25-km from Gangtok, is just before Phodong Longstok Kabi. There is a point in the midst of tall trees where the treaty of brotherhood between Lepcha Chieftan – Tek Tetong and Khye Bhumsa head of Tibet was signed.
Kabi Longtsok (17Km.)
About 17-km from Gangtok is Kabi Longtsok where the Tibetan leader, khey-Burns signed a blood brotherhood with the Lepcha shaman Te-Kung-Tek, the place is marked by a stone in the middle of the shadow of a dense forest area . The statue of the unit near the temple erected in Thakurbari Gangtok is in memory of this event.
Lake Menmecho (20Km.)
Menmecho Lake is 20 miles ahead of Changu Lake, cradled between the mountains below Jelapla Pass, is the source of the river Ranpochu, which meets in Teesta Rangpo. It is rich in trout. A Dak Bungalow and a tourist lodge are available for the night.
Phoodong Monastery (40Km.)
This monastery is situated about one km above the North Sikkim highway about 40 kilometers from Gangtok. Gyurmed Chogyal Namgyal built the monastery sometime in the first quarter of the 18th century.
Tashi Viewpoint (8Km.)
Located along the North Sikkim highway is just 8-km from Gangtok. Since this point you can get a breathtaking view and ride Khangchendzonga Mount. Siniolchu, one of the most graceful peaks in the world.
The Ipecac Garden (14Km.)
This 6 acres garden is about 14 km downhill from Gangtok and 2-km Ranipul. Named after the plant Ipecac that is grown here. Besides this plant, it also contains a wide variety of flora including numerous types of orchids and medicinal plants. It is a very good picnic spot with a nearby pool.
Yumthang (149Km.)
Yumthang is a valley of 12,000 ft. Its location is impressive. The nature is at its best. Snow dresses mountains around looking down at this high valley full of color. The valley floor is covered with wildflowers, yellow and purple primroses, while the hillsides are alive with rhododendrons bright colors. The best part about traveling in Sikkim is that even when you travel is actually passing through beautiful places. Each location may be the holiday destination lovely ethereal.
Yumthang Hot Springs (135Km.)
At an altitude of 12,000 feet, 135-km from Gangtok in north Sikkim, a few hundred yards from the road, after crossing the river Lachung over a pedestrian bridge lies these Sulphur springs. There is a hut with two pools for swimming.
Significance – Gangtok
Capital Of Sikkim.
Tour to Gangtok- Introduction of Main Attractions
Jul 17th
About Gangtok
Gangtok, the “High Hill” or Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716. Gangtok is a city that until you see it, you might think exists only in history books of the table. In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the air, spinning wheels in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God in the distance are the snows, the streets amidst brightly colored pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly people smile are silver, silk and spices and jewels to gladden the heart, a girl, of the seven seas are gadget and goods to delight the collector of ‘imported goods, while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the ‘Mother of Pearl’ Citadel the magic mountain, Khang-chen-Dzod-Nga.
An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley, the mysticism, the stupas, monasteries come as soon as she crossed the border. While the hills and valleys comes the sound of trumpets long robes of lamas.
Main Attractions
Deer park
Along with the new secretariat and also called the Park Rustomji the name of one of the Dewans the Chogyal of Sikkim, the park has a large open area where the animals native to Sikkim like the red panda and Himalayan Bear are kept . A large statue of Buddha commemorating his preaching of the noble truths in the Deer Park at Sarnath adorns the park facilities. An oil lamp perpetually burns in front of the statue, which is surrounded by flowers of exotic variety. The park has a fantastic view of the hills, surrounding Gangtok.
Dul-Dul Chorten
Chortenat Duddul Dotapu Chorten, Gangtok has been designed under the supervision of the late Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche after the preparations, due in 1945-46, according to the prophecy made in 1944 by His Holiness the Dud-Zom Rinpoche.
Government Institute of cottage industries
This institute is in about half a mile uphill from the main market of Gangtok. It was established with the purpose of promoting the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts. Thankas (also spelled as Thangkas), hand-carved wooden tables – known as Choksees and exquisitely woven woolen carpets. More than a hundred students home crafts workers are produced here, with textures, luxurious and exotic designs ranging from sophisticated simplicity to a brilliant riot varmillion faced intense blue, are durable and popular all over the world to carpets second in popularity is Sikkimese Tankhas, variegated appliqué work Batiks and exquisite dolls, in wood working are available Sikkim carved wooden tables, hand painted masks, lamp shades feet, and bamboo craft. Esoteric masks, flashing silks, opulent brocades and embroidered boots, dress the dancers in Sikkim.
Kabi Longstok
25-km from Gangtok, is just before Phodong Longstok Kabi. There is a point in the midst of tall trees where the treaty of brotherhood between Lepcha Chieftan – Tetong Tek and Khye Bhumsa head of Tibet was signed.
Kangchendzonga National Park
Crossing a control gate which allows visitors entry was selected, will enter the National Park Kangchendzonga. The climb is gradual but very interesting as one is greeted by snow, pure white lie on the green forest floor and canopy covering a few. Irregular slopes, rocky left glistened in the sunlight in places that are the glaciers where the slope was right. The mountains to our right were covered with dark green pines, the snow line is much higher.
Lake Kechopari
On the road junction between Gyalsing and Yoksum is clear water Kechopari Lake (means – wishing lake). All around are mountains with lush forests and wildlife. It’s so calm, clear that not a leaf can be seen floating on it, because he immediately got up by birds.
Labrang Monastery
One kilometer away from Phodong, the Labrang monastery was built about 100 years later. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the same as that of Pemayangtse monastery in West Sikkim. Its name translates simply as the abode of the lamas (monks).
Lachung
The road to Lachung Chungthang takes one to another world. This is the area inhabited by the Lachungpas, a mountain village that is considered resistant very different from the Bhutias and Tibetans. The lush, terraced hillside, even in winter, were a testament to the grit and determination of these people. Lachung is the last house on the way to Yumthang a monastery high hidden in the hillside overlooking a resolution Lachungpas and Indian army barracks. The mountains across the valley up to the snowy heights. In the distance, you could see the impressions of a track that was once used by traders to cross the border from Tibet with their mules laden with Chinese silk.
Pemayangtse Monastery
About 6-km Gyalsing town, this monastery was built as a small temple in the last century Chempo Latsun 17, then reconstructed into a monastery structure.
Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs
About 25-km Gyalsing near Reshi, after crossing Rangeet River (also spelled as Ranjit) by a pedestrian bridge, hardly ten minutes from the motorway is Phurchachu springs with medicinal properties, ideal for skim diseases. These springs are considered sacred as one of the four holy caves is located here. This cave is called the holy “Kadosangphu” or Cave of the occult fairies’ and lies in the south of the four cardinal points.
Research Institute of Tibetology
Amid the serene surrounding forest of oak, ash and birch is an organization for advancing the Tibetan language and literature in the “Enlightened One”, the only of its kind in the world of Mahayana Buddhism. ornate wood carvings and murals decorate the richly decorated interior.
Rumtek Monastery
A 24-km drive from Gangtok, through the beautiful, bewitching countryside leads one to Rumtek. Rumtek, is the seat of the Karmapa Lama who heads the Kagyupa Sect of Buddhism.
Tasuklakhang – The Royal Chapel
The Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang, is within the palace grounds. Popularly called Tsulakhang Royal. It is the principal place of worship and assembly and the repository of a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures.
The Ridge
The ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road above the town of Gangtok. It is just about five minutes walk from the main market. The ridge has the white hall and the chief minister’s official residence on one end and the beautifully designed palace gate on the other. The ridge is lined with plants and trees when in bloom are a riot of colours. Flower shows, which attract tourists from all over the world are held just below the ridge.
Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo literally means “Source of the Lake ” in Bhutia language. ‘ TSO’ means lake and ‘ MGO’ means head. At about 40-km away from Gangtok, this serene and holy lake is situated at an altitude of 12,400 ft on the Gangtok – Nathu La highway.
White Hall
It was built in 1932 in memory of the first political officer of Sikkim, Claude White. There is an Officers Club and a badminton court in the White Hall.
Yaksey
Yaksey, a tourist lodge, 6-km from Lachung towards Yumthang is an ideal place for tourists to this area. Another 23 km drive to the hot springs-Samdong Yumey near the river Sebu-Chu, to step foot Donkia-La, which connects Lachung valley to Lachen valley.
