Gangtok Travel Guide: Gateway to Sikkim’s Himalayan Charm - Capital Cities of Indian States [Sikkim]

I never saw a person throwing garbage on the road and almost every place has dustbins. Many of the taxi drivers keep plastic-bins to keep the waste. Every village is equipped with dustbins which are most of the times made up of waste. This level of awareness and proactive planning is very much required to encourage tourism in right way. Involving local communities always help in maintaining places well and they start seeing huge value in ensuring that places remain clean and well maintained. Most of the folks we encountered were very humble and cheerful.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is a city perched at 5,410 feet in the Himalayas. Known for its Buddhist monasteries, panoramic mountain views, vibrant culture, and adventure opportunities, Gangtok is one of India’s most loved hill stations. Whether you’re here for spirituality, nature, shopping, or trekking, Gangtok offers a mix of modern comforts and Himalayan traditions.

This Gangtok Travel Guide explores must-see places, food, culture, shopping, local life, nightlife, and nearby excursions, making it a perfect starting point for your Sikkim journey.

Top Places to Visit in Gangtok

After my recent visit to Sikkim, I realized how this state of India has nailed the business the Tourism in India. I looked at various pieces of details separately and tried to create my own hypothesis which is not validated by locals of Sikkim. Before I start sharing about our backpacking trip to Sikkim, I want to highlight the fact that the state is very clean and whole credit goes to people of Sikkim.

1. Rumtek Monastery

One of the largest and most important monasteries of Sikkim, known for its golden stupa, Tibetan architecture, and vibrant rituals. It is the seat of the Karmapa Lama.

Sikkim is blessed with several high altitude lakes - Gurudongmar in the North, Tsomgo in the East, Khecheopalri in the West are only some of them. Unlike the commercialized lake complexes in most of India, lakes in Sikkim are considered Holy and visitors are reminded by the means of signs to keep silent. Tourists generally tend to ignore these signs, so unless you plan your trip in a way that you are able to get there before the tourists do, you won't ever experience the true magic of these haunting locations. If you do manage to get there and experience the silence, you will find yourself amidst the music of nature - bird songs, cicadas, and the sounds of fish splashing about. There can be nothing more beautiful than this. Except may be a tiny hidden lake in Yuksom. Khecheopalri Lake is the most famous lake in West Sikkim, but the lesser-known Kartok lake in Yuksom is the one that took my breath away.

2. Tsomgo (Changu) Lake

A glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, about 40 km from Gangtok. In winter, the lake freezes, while in spring, it’s fringed with colorful rhododendrons.

Barely a couple of hours ago, we had lost a fantastic mobile phone, and yet sitting in a local bus of Sikkim, it didn't take me long to fall in love with this northeastern state of India. The reason was simple - for the very first time in my life I had seen a well-mannered Lhasa Apso (any dog, for that matter) board a bus and sit quietly next to the driver for more than two hours. The dog wasn't the driver's pet - it was accompanying a woman traveling from Rangpo to Gangtok. It was quite intriguing to see the dog and the humans around so comfortable in each other's presence.

3. MG Marg

The pedestrian-friendly main street of Gangtok, lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. Perfect for evening strolls, shopping, and people-watching.

The title of this post doesn't do this place justice. The institute is so much more than a beautiful building. Set a little off the road, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is surrounded by trees and mountains. Under deep blue skies, this red and white building stands out gracefully and yet merges perfectly with the natural surroundings.The institute was established in 1958 and since then has been sponsoring research in religion, art, culture, history, and language of the people of Tibet. The institute publishes the Bulletin of Tibetology, which it has been doing since 1964, and has also published several other books related to Tibetology. The institute also has one of the largest collection of Tibetan works in the world. And apart from all this, the institute also houses a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art. It is hard to believe that so much happens in such a small building. One look at the exteriors and I estimated that it wouldn't take more than 10 minutes to explore the place. But it turned out that I would end up spending more than an hour there, reading about each and every exhibit in the museum. There were ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, and Lepcha. There were scultures, and icons of Bodhisattvas. Some of the rarest relics of Tibetan history can be found in this museum. This place is great if you want to do some serious research on Tibet and its culture. The texts are extensive and the museum itself tells you a lot about Tibetan Culture. Apart from this there are two libraries where visitors can reference informative, even rare, texts. One can't issue books, but can spend the entire day at the library and even make copies of extracts from all books, except the ones that are rare. After spending about an hour inside the museum, we came out and sat on the verandah. It was wonderful to see people pouring into the museum. Not all of them were interested in looking at the displays though. I guess, it is this way with museums anywhere - you cannot force people to take interest in them. Personally I feel, museums are a great source of knowledge, and I do not remember even a single museum that hasn't interested me. I have been to art museums, science museums, money museums, religious museums, natural history museums, mountaineering museums, and I am yet to find one that did not interest me. Religion in itself doesn't interest me much, but when coupled with history and culture of a place, there's hardly anything more interesting. Buddhism and Tibetan culture fascinate me a lot, though there is a large part of it that I don't yet understand. May be with places like Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, curious people like me can find a source of information that is easily accessible. It is just a matter of finding time to study about it.

4. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

A treasure trove of Buddhist manuscripts, thangkas, and artifacts, offering insights into Tibetan culture and history.

Enchey Monastery : There are plenty of Monasteries in Sikkim and Enchey comes of the way when you want to go down to Gangtok town from Ganesh Tok. Beautifully built but if you have recently seen Rumtek, it may not really enjoy being here. And all that depends what exactly is happening in Monastery at that point. We were lucky to witness prayers at Enchey and that was certainly a good experience.

5. Enchey Monastery

A 200-year-old monastery associated with tantric Buddhism, located on a hilltop overlooking Gangtok.


When you are in Sikkim, you have several monasteries to visit. Though they are beautiful, these monasteries, one does tend to look for something else after visiting five of them. By this time, you are probably tired, looking for a place that would soothe you. If you are in luck and the weather favors you, Ganesh Tok can be the perfect conclusion to your day tour. The word "tok" means temple. Ganesh Tok is a temple located at an altitude of 6,500ft, about 5 kms from Gangtok Mall. It is right opposite the Gangtok Zoo and very close to a Pine forest and Tashi View Point. It is a good idea to hire a cab to reach this place as the climb is steep and will tire you out if you are not in the mood to trek. And if you are going there at the end of a long day, I am assuming you will not be in the mood. The place itself is quiet, especially if the crowd is sparse, and you can hear distant bird calls. If you are lucky, you will find yourself surrounded by clouds, and if you are extremely lucky, the clouds will part at just the right point and the right time and reveal a magnificent view of Mount Kangchenjunga to you. But for this, you need to climb up to the observatory. We will come to this soon enough. If you do decide to take a taxi, the vehicle will drop you right at the entrance of Ganesh Tok. From there, a ramp (with an easy incline) will take you towards the temple. After a few steps, you will reach the place where you are supposed to remove your shoes. The temple, which is at the top level, is a tiny one. You spend a few minutes there and then move on to the adjacent circular structure, which is really the most magical part of Ganesh Tok. It is a circular observatory with glass windows all around. You can choose to go inside the observatory, though most people prefer to hang out in the balcony that runs along the perimeter of the observatory. This is the place where you can spend hours if weather chooses to be kind to you. The balcony overlooks a valley with rolling hills, with clouds floating around. The air is so fresh that it soaks away your tiredness. The bird calls are like meditation music. You can easily lose yourself to the magic. The only thing that can play spoilsport is the crowd. If you go there during tourist season, you will probably be fighting for a decent foothold on this balcony. So do plan your trip keeping this in mind. Ganesh Tok was the last point we visited in Gangtok, and it was worth it. We would have preferred a little less crowd, but over the years we have learned to be thankful for small mercies. There were other things to explore, such as a souvenir shop, several small eateries near the parking, and a pine forest close by, but we chose to go back to the Mall after this. We were yet to plan the next day, which would either take us to Pelling in the West or Yumthang in the North. If you have been following the blog, you would know the destination we chose. For the rest of you, you will need to go back and read about it.6. Hanuman Tok & Ganesh Tok

Hilltop temples that offer sweeping views of Kanchenjunga and the surrounding valleys.

There are several magnificient waterfalls in Sikkim and the Seven Sister waterfall is one of them. Located around 32 kilometers from Gangtok, this waterfall is easily accessible from the Gangtok-Lachung highway. When we drove past these waterfalls, it was still summer and the water was comparatively less, but it is said that during the rains, these waterfalls are a sight to see. From a distance from certain points each of the seven different waterfalls is visible, falling almost parallel to each other, down the rugged face of the mountain. Some of the falls turn to almost a trickle in the summer, while others hide behind the rocks, but overall, the falls are worth a stop and some photos even at the driest times. During monsoon, you can spend more time here. Anyways, we feel Sikkim is a place you should go with loads of time on your hands, because there's a risk that you will fall in love with a small town or a city and would want to spend more time there. We tried to be flexible during our trip and it works. When we were on our trip, we met several people simply because we were riding the public transport most of the time. Among the people we met was a Russian national who had taken up a job in Infosys in Hyderabad and had been staying here for several years simply because he wanted to see India and what could be better if you could do it while getting paid well. Sikkim is the ideal place for such a guy, because he takes long vacations from his company and usually visits a place with the intention of exploring it. He had arrived in Gangtok and rented a very cheap hotel so that he could stay longer. And he would plan each day as it came. It is these kinds of people who would get the most from visiting a place like Sikkim. But a majority of tourists in Sikkim are families. We found several of them at Seven Sister Waterfalls as well. They usually come here on a tight schedule and leave after the quintessential selfies with their feet dipped in the pool. Nothing wrong with that of course. It is anyways very difficult to really experience anything when it is too crowded. To each his/her own. Tourists do not visit the Seven Sisters Waterfalls in isolation. They usually stop here on their way to somewhere else. It is usually a circuit. Along with the Seven Sisters Waterfalls, people visit hilltop temples known as Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok, the Himalayan Zoological park where you can see the red panda. People also stop on their way to look at Banjhakri waterfall and the Bakthang Waterfalls. Tourists also flow in and out of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It is usually a full-day circuit. We also did something of the sort on a taxi we shared with the Russian. The best time to visit the falls is during the monsoons when the falls are mighty and unstoppable. If you have time on your hands, you can sit around and soak in the sights, may be take a much needed break from a hectic touristy schedule.

7. Banjhakri Falls

A landscaped park built around a natural waterfall, dedicated to Sikkim’s shamanic traditions.

Nestled high above the bustling town of Leh, the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery stands as a silent guardian, offering a serene retreat for those seeking spiritual solace and breathtaking views. Founded in the early 15th century by King Tashi Namgyal, this ancient monastery is a significant symbol of the region's rich Buddhist heritage and architectural splendor. Let's delve into the history, architecture, and the spiritual essence of Namgyal Tsemo Monastery.

8. Tashi View Point

A popular sunrise spot to see Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu peaks in their golden glow.

Sikkim is blessed with several high altitude lakes - Gurudongmar in the North, Tsomgo in the East, Khecheopalri in the West are only some of them. Unlike the commercialized lake complexes in most of India, lakes in Sikkim are considered Holy and visitors are reminded by the means of signs to keep silent. Tourists generally tend to ignore these signs, so unless you plan your trip in a way that you are able to get there before the tourists do, you won't ever experience the true magic of these haunting locations. If you do manage to get there and experience the silence, you will find yourself amidst the music of nature - bird songs, cicadas, and the sounds of fish splashing about. There can be nothing more beautiful than this. Except may be a tiny hidden lake in Yuksom. Khecheopalri Lake is the most famous lake in West Sikkim, but the lesser-known Kartok lake in Yuksom is the one that took my breath away.

Food in Gangtok

Gangtok’s food is a delightful blend of Tibetan, Nepali, and Sikkimese flavors:

  • Momos – Steamed or fried dumplings stuffed with vegetables or meat.

  • Thukpa – A hearty Tibetan noodle soup.

  • Phagshapa – A pork dish cooked with radish and dried chilies.

  • Sael Roti with Aloo Dum – Nepali-style bread with spicy potatoes.

  • Street Snacks – Sel roti, churpee (hard yak cheese), and local teas.

👉 Travellingcamera’s food explorations

If there is one place in India that appears to be straight out of fairytales, it is Yuksom in Sikkim. And when I think of that place, I remember peace, serenity, greenery, birds, flowers, fish, and all things pretty and beautiful. And that is why it is the ideal candidate for the Time-Turner Series. The Time-Turner series is my opportunity to pen down the lingering memories and impressions of a place I have visited. It helps me relive the experience a bit and also reflect upon the aspects of the place that stood out the most to me. We had planned a couple of days’ stay in Pelling but only half a day in Yuksom. If there was any regret during our Sikkim tour, it was that we didn't spend enough time at Yuksom. We should have at least stayed a night. Waking up in this wonderful town would have been some experience. Because it looked like a place where pastel-colored musicals are filmed. A place where nothing bad can ever happen. One memory that stands out in particular is that of two ducks walking side-by-side along the road against a backdrop of lush green on the sidewalk. I think I may have built the scene up a little in my memory, but then it was such a scene. And then we chanced upon the most ethereal lake possible. Lake Kathog (also known as Karthok) revealed itself to us suddenly as we crossed a grassy trail after purchasing a trivially priced ticket. It was silent except the rush of winds through the trees and on the grasses. There were a few birds putting up their most melodious performance. Countless goldfish swam around peacefully. Can anything be more pristine? The next memory that stands out is that of the long trek to Dubdi Monastery. While the Monastery lies at the top of a hill, with a steep, paved walk leading up to it through the forest, the destination is completely worth the arduous journey. I remember lush lawns, classic dampness of a place high up in the mountains, amid clouds. I also remember colourful flowers. There was also another couple enjoying the same sight. We also remember a visit to the Coronation Throne. The Coronation Throne is placed in a compound made of stone. There is a temple and a large prayer wheel too in the compound. The place is quiet and serene and has a few benches here and there where you can sit and just be. It was heaven if there is one. We reached the Yuksom Bazaar and occupied a table at the Traditional Inn restaurant. We ordered food and watched a swallow dart in and out of the neighboring restaurant. Neither the swallow nor the restaurant owner were perturbed by each other's presence. If I talk about my most favorite places in the world, Yuksom is definitely somewhere on the top of the list. To my mind it is a slice of Scottish Highlands right here in India. It is also one of the places right out of the Enid Blyton fairytales. It is a place I would love to go back to and just walk around day after day after day.


Art, Culture & Festivals in Gangtok

  • Losar (Tibetan New Year): Celebrated with prayers, masked dances, and feasts.

  • Saga Dawa: A Buddhist festival marking Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.

  • International Flower Festival: Every May, showcasing Sikkim’s orchids, rhododendrons, and alpine flora.

  • Handicrafts: Wool carpets, thangkas, prayer flags, and handmade paper products.

We were also surprised to find that the living quarters of the monks were accessible to the visitors, so we went as deep as we could go without disturbing their schedules and activities. We found slippers lying outside their rooms, we saw them hanging out like regular teenagers, we saw them living a life so similar, yet so vastly different from ours.

Nightlife in Gangtok

While Gangtok is quieter than metro cities, nightlife is warm and cozy:

  • MG Marg: Cafes and lounges with live music.

  • Local Pubs: Taste Sikkim’s local beer (tongba, millet beer served in bamboo mugs).

  • Casino Mahjong: A unique experience as Sikkim is one of the few Indian states with legal casinos.

  • Cultural Nights: Monastic chants or traditional Nepali and Sikkimese dance shows.

If you plan to go to Gangtok, do visit Rumtek. You may want to plan half a day for travelling to this Monastery and back, but if you are interested in Tibetan architecture and the lifestyle of the monks, this trip will be worth it.

Shopping in Gangtok

  • MG Marg Markets: Souvenirs, woolens, and prayer wheels.

  • Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom: Authentic Sikkimese crafts.

  • Lal Bazaar: Spices, organic produce, yak cheese, and local wines.

👉 Travellingcamera’s market stories

MG Road : MG road is like mall roads of Shimla & Mussourie, but much better in terms of maintenance and cleanness. This is traffic free area and there are 2 very well maintained roads for people walking in both the directions. All of the main restaurants, showrooms and shopping options are available around the MG road. That's the happening place in the town. We spent every evening in Gangtok at Mg road and on the last day, we sat their for good 2 hours observing interesting fashion of Sikkim.


Local Life in Gangtok

  • Morning: Locals offering prayers at monasteries, tea stalls buzzing with life.

  • Day: Shops and schools fill the streets, while travelers head for sightseeing.

  • Evening: Families stroll along MG Marg, and tourists enjoy momos with tea.

  • Essence: Gangtok feels like a town where spirituality meets everyday modern life.

👉 Travellingcamera’s street photography

After spending whole day around the town, MG road welcomes you with cheerful environment and plenty of food options. We loved this place called Yummy Tummy restaurant on MG road. They serve amazing sizzlers and some of the local beer brands. We loved Danceberg which is only available in Sikkim. We stayed in a homestay at Gangtok, although didn't get a chance to try local cuisine there. We tried various Sikkimese food-options in west-sikkim. So watch out this space for more on Sikkim, main places to explore, food options and how to commute. Do share your inputs, suggestions or questions through comments below. We promise to act fast.

Excursions Around Gangtok

  • Nathula Pass (56 km): A historic India-China border crossing at 14,140 ft, accessible with permits.

  • Yumthang Valley (120 km): Known as the Valley of Flowers of Sikkim.

  • Lachung & Lachen: Base villages for excursions to Gurudongmar Lake.

  • Ravangla (70 km): Famous for Buddha Park with a 130-ft statue of Buddha.

  • Pelling (115 km): Known for Kanchenjunga views and Pemayangtse Monastery.

👉 Travellingcamera’s Himalayan explorations

Waterfalls in another story altogether. Most waterfalls in Sikkim, at least the ones we came across, are highly commercialized. People have come up with ingenious ways to monetize the waterfalls. At Khangchendzonga Falls, we saw an entire family of locals (mother, father, possible grandmother, daughter, son, grandson) standing near the pool, offering their hand to the tourists to navigate the rocks and charging money for it. And these really weren't difficult rocks to navigate. What surprised us further was that the Tourists were gladly availing this service and paying money for it. We aren't judging anyone. As long as it made everyone happy, there was nothing wrong with it. We visited several waterfalls during this vacation, and the waterfall that we liked the best was a comparatively smaller one with just one Kiosk at a distance selling snacks. This was the Rimbi waterfall, and another place that we want to keep safe in our memory and literally too.

Best Time to Visit Gangtok

  • March–June: Pleasant spring/summer with rhododendrons in bloom.

  • September–November: Clear skies, great for mountain views.

  • December–February: Snowy, especially around Tsomgo Lake and Nathula.

  • July–August: Monsoon — lush but with landslide risks.

River Teesta is the main river that flows through Sikkim. It is a beautiful and grand river that keeps you company during most of your travel from Bagdogra to Gangtok. However, there are smaller rivers that are as beautiful (if not more) and easily accessible. River Rimbi is one such river. We came across it when we were on our way from Pelling to Yuksom. We were able to approach the banks through the River Orange Garden. The time we spent here was one of the most memorable of this entire trip.

How to Reach Gangtok

  • By Air: Pakyong Airport (30 km), or Bagdogra Airport (125 km) in West Bengal.

  • By Rail: Nearest station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), 120 km away.

  • By Road: Well-connected by taxis and buses from Siliguri and Darjeeling.

Barely a couple of hours ago, we had lost a fantastic mobile phone, and yet sitting in a local bus of Sikkim, it didn't take me long to fall in love with this northeastern state of India. The reason was simple - for the very first time in my life I had seen a well-mannered Lhasa Apso (any dog, for that matter) board a bus and sit quietly next to the driver for more than two hours. The dog wasn't the driver's pet - it was accompanying a woman traveling from Rangpo to Gangtok. It was quite intriguing to see the dog and the humans around so comfortable in each other's presence.

Stay Options in Gangtok

  • Luxury: Mayfair Spa Resort, Denzong Regency.

  • Mid-range: Summit Hotels, Elgin Nor-Khill.

  • Budget: Backpacker hostels and guesthouses near MG Marg.

👉 Travellingcamera’s hotel reviews

After reading the title, many people say 'who are you to tell me what to skip? and let me visit & decide'. Certainly, it's personal choice. On that lines, it's also not required to suggest you places to visit around a place. If this thought comes to you mind as well and you don't agree with such suggestions, I would say - just pause here and make best of your time. But if you stick around, just focus on why we say it's not a place to consider when you are in Sikkim. I started doing this series on 'places to skip' and getting pretty good response and this told me that people don't even search places to visit on Google, but they also care about saving their time by skipping places which are not worth for them or don't align with their choices. I have seen readers who chose to visit the place instead of skipping because reasoning given in the post by us convinced him that place aligns more with his kind of vacation. So it varies certainly.

Why Visit Gangtok?

Gangtok is not just a hill station — it’s a gateway to the Himalayas, where Buddhist culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant streets merge into an unforgettable travel experience. Whether you’re here to seek spirituality, trek to high-altitude lakes, or simply sip tea with mountain views, Gangtok will leave you enchanted.

👉 Explore more of the Himalayan belt on Travellingcamera: Travellingcamera Himalayan Stories

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