Tag Archives: Rumtek Monastery

Eat, Roam, Live & Fall in Love with Gangtok Sikkim

Some bonds are built by chance and cannot be explained in words. They just happen and leave a direct mark on your soul. Such is the bond we have formed with Gangtok Sikkim in India.

On the first look, Gangtok City located in Northeast India looked like another uber hill town of Himachal or Uttarakhand but after spending a few days there, we realized how unique and advance it is. Locals absolutely love their city, like to keep it CLEAN and also abide by every single rule and regulations set up by the government. The Tangible Goals to end Tuberculosis by 2020, to make state completely organic and plastic-free clearly shows the high vision of state Sikkim. Just imagine, if the whole of India follows this, where we can head to. The Gangtok Town is flanked by the Himalayas on all side and has traditional monasteries hidden in between them, just like the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh.

Eat Roam Live and Fall in Love with Gangtok Sikkim

During our Darjeeling Sikkim Trip, the plan was to spend 2 days in Gangtok, Sikkim whereas we ended up spending up 4 days here. Gangtok acts as a base for trips to East, West, South or North Sikkim. So, even we made it our base and explored all zones from here itself. Also, we got surplus time to imbibe its culture and aura into our souls.

So, here is a brief travel guide from our experience on Gangtok City.

Eat- Places to enjoy food in Gangtok Sikkim, India

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is a city of Nepalese, Tibetans’, and Sikkimese.  So, on MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) the heart of Gangtok; one can find plenty of cafes and restaurants serving all the specialties to satiate your taste buds. Here are the recommendations of cafes and restaurants from the ones we tried.

Osm Restro & Lounge- Let’s Get Social

The Osm Restro & Lounge located on the first floor has great interiors and gives a feel of fine dining. The seating is comfortable and the corner seats offer the direct view of MG Marg. Their motto to “Let’s Get Social”SMILE, ENJOY, LAUGH, EAT, DRINK, SHOUT is what this place truly lives too. After a long hectic walk, we relaxed, enjoyed some cocktails and munched on thin-crust pizza here. And the experience was great enough to make us hit back the streets .

Osm Lounge & Bar at MG Marg, Gangtok
Osm Lounge & Bar at MG Marg, Gangtok Sikkim India

Nimtho- Authentic Local Cuisines of Himalayas

Nimtho, located on the first floor in the middle of MG Marg is known for authentic local cuisines of Himalayas. They serve Sikkimese, Nepali and Tibetan food, cooked in the old style with aromatic herb and spices.

Chicken Achar Momos at Nimtho in Gangtok
Chicken Achar Momos at Nimtho in Gangtok

The place has a cozy warmth and a rustic feel of the traditions with a display of traditional cooking styles throughout the sitting area. We tried Mula Chursi Salad (Raddish spunned with herbs and Sikkim Cheese) and Chicken Achar Momos. The salad was average because we didn’t like the Cheese taste much but Momos were to die for. They were absolutely soupy, juicy and spicy. Although we ordered a plain bread after that to pacify the chilliness.

Golden Dragon Bar & Restaurant

The Golden Dragon Bar and restaurant located near the Tourist Information Center on the first floor is a center of attraction of MG Marg. The loud music and two huge dragons on its exteriors make the place easily recognizable and quite distinct from others. But honestly, we didn’t like it much. The place interiors were gloomy and dingy. We wanted to rush out immediately but after the backache from the North Sikkim trip, we had no energy. So, took a chance and seated ourselves. We ordered here pizza, salad, and HIT, the local beer of Sikkim.

Hit- The Local Beer of Sikkim at Gangtok Sikkim India
Hit- The Local Beer of Sikkim at Gangtok Sikkim India

Pizza and Salad both were good but the best was chilled HIT, and it really took away all our pain.  They also have an open terrace opening towards, MG Marg.

Bakers Café

Good breakfast is what helps us to start our day well. So, we directly headed to the Bakers Café, located on MG Marg.

Bakers Cafe on MG Marg Gangtok India
Bakers Cafe on MG Marg Gangtok India

The first look of Bakers Cafe was WoW! The place has a cool ambiance and it looked like heaven for Bakery lovers. We choose a place next to the window opening up to the Himalayas and ordered a quick breakfast with cappuccino and ginger drink. The food taste and presentation were a treat to eyes. Overall, we loved this cafe and will recommend it to every traveler.

Views from Bakers Cafe in Gangtok Sikkim
Views from Bakers Cafe in Gangtok Sikkim

Our stomach was full after the scrumptious breakfast but taste buds still had the cravings of sweet so before leaving, we got some cakes, muffins, and munchies packed for ourselves.

Breakfast at Bakers Cafe in Gangtok India.
Breakfast at Bakers Cafe in Gangtok India.

Hotel Tashi Delek – Rooftop Restaurant

The Hotel Tashi Delek, hidden in one of the lanes of MG Marg is another favorite of all the places. The place has a blend of traditional and modern design and its classy rooftop with an open bar is what makes this place super special. We loved spending our evenings here, admiring the landscapes and densely spread Gangtok. The advise is to occupy a corner seat in the open for the perfect view.  

Rooftop of Hotel Tashi Delek at MG Marg Gangtok
The Rooftop of Hotel Tashi Delek at MG Marg Gangtok

The service at Tashi Delek is good but their menu has very limited food options. In food, we ate fish and egg fried rice with Local Beer “Dansberg” repeatedly and it was absolutely worth the price.

The Tangerine in Chumbi Residency

The Tangerine, restaurant in the Chumbi residency is another hyped place in Gangtok town. We were staying at Chumbi residency, so didn’t pay much attention to its restaurant but definitely, the food we ordered for breakfast and Dinner was yum and value for money.

Tangerine at Chumbi Residency, Gangtok Sikkim
Tangerine at Chumbi Residency, Gangtok Sikkim

Note: The restaurants and café in Gangtok are not overly expensive. Two people’s meal on average costs around Rs. 1000- Rs.1500/-.

Roam – Attractions in Gangtok Sikkim

Gangtok the capital of Sikkim; proves big things come in small packages. The place is a wonderland and there is some or other place of interest for every tourist or traveler. Gangtok is soaked in the beauty of Himalayas, has unlimited waterfalls, nature trails, monasteries, temples and also boasts one of the highest peaks of the world i.e. Kanchenjunga. Indeed, Gangtok is known as a “Land of Monasteries” and has some of the oldest and largest monasteries. So, here are the places of interest we would like to recommend you.

MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg)

Mahatma Gandhi Marg, the heart and most happening place of Gangtok is famous among tourists as well as locals. The marg is well paved, maintained, clean, green, and litter-free. It is absolutely full of colors and positive vibes. Also, it houses all the beautiful cafes, lounges, and traditional eateries.

MG Marg Gangtok Sikkim India
MG Marg Gangtok Sikkim India in August

Monasteries

Gangtok has around 100 small monasteries in and around its vicinity -like Enchey Monastery, Tusklakhang Palace Monastery, Lingdum monastery, Rumtek monastery, etc. But if you want to visit only one then do visit Rumtek Monastery.

Entry Gate To Rumtek Monastery
Entry Gate To Rumtek Monastery

The Rumtek Monastery, largest in Sikkim and mother of all monasteries, lies on an opposite hill in the Rumtek town, 23 kilometers away from the Gangtok city. At the main gate, there is a check post and from here one needs to walk for a Kilometer to reach Monastery. The path is lined with trees, colorful shops and rows of prayer wheels. The grind of prayer wheels and chirping of birds throughout the walk keep the atmosphere quite lively.

Prayer Wheels on the way to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim
Prayer Wheels on the way to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim

As you enter the main Monastery gate, 4 storied colorful building stands in front against a calm, green, beautiful mountainous backdrop. The colors and the aura of this place automatically pull you towards it.

Rumtek Monastery - Largest Monastery of Sikkim
Rumtek Monastery – Largest Monastery of Sikkim

Its beautiful architecture, Thangka, and the years-old artifacts clearly state its importance in Sikkim.  Also, there are several vantage points around Monastery, from where you get the entire sprawling view of Gangtok city.

Colorful Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim
Colorful Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim

Timings: 8:00 am -5:00 pm

Entry TicketRs. 10/-

View of Gangtok Town from Rumtek Monastery
View of Gangtok Town from Rumtek Monastery

Karma Shri Nalanda Institute / Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center

Keep circumambulating around the Rumtek Monastery and from behind climb the steps to reach Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, an institute for higher Buddhist studies.

Way to Golden Stupa, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute
Way to Golden Stupa, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute

The main shrine of the institute houses the 13-foot-high Golden Stupa (also known as Lhabab Chodteen) made of Gold and copper, bejeweled with ancient stones and corals. Inside the Stupa are the precious relics and holy remains of His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the shrine.

Karma Shri Nalanda Institute in Sikkim
Karma Shri Nalanda Institute in Sikkim

Temples

Gangtok has plenty of grandeur Temples and each one is known for its peaceful environment and divine atmosphere. If you have ample time then do visit one or two of them. We checked out Hanuman Tok and Ganesha Tok, both located on the Hilltop offering an amazing view of Himalayas and Kanchenjunga Peak. But during our visit, it was monsoon time and clouds had completely engulfed the ranges, so we didn’t even get a glimpse of them.

On the way to Hanuman Top
On the way to Hanuman Top in Gangtok Sikkim India

Hanuman Tok, located at 7200 feet is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is one of the main shrines in Gangtok. It lies 11 Kilometers from Gangtok city, on the branch road of Gangtok Nathula Highway. The drive to the temple is breathtaking especially during monsoons when every inch looks green and serene. But be carefully with the Leeches, if you are walking down.

The Hanuman Temple has a mythical story- it is believed that Lord Hanuman rested here for a while, during his return trip from Sri Lanka, while carrying Sanjeevani Bhuti (Herbs) from the Himalayas to cure Lord Laxman. And today this temple is known as wish-fulfilling Temple by locals.

Ganesh Tok I
Ganesh Tok In Gangtok Sikkim India

Ganesha Tok, the shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha lies on the way to Hanuman Tok. The temple can be identified easily from a distance because of its vibrant colors and the colorful flags decorating the pathway. The entrance to the Temple is quite narrow and only one person can enter at a time.

Kanchenjunga View Point /Tashi View Point

The Kanchenjunga viewpoint, also known as Tashi viewpoint lies 8 Kilometers from the Gangtok city. The place is known for the panoramic views it offers of Gangtok city, and of Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Sinolchu.

Tashi View Point in Gangtok
Tashi View Point in Gangtok

Tashi View Point is an irregular structure built on the hilltop and can be reached only via a climbing few steps. In the center of this structure is installed a beautiful dragon art, at the front are the viewpoints built with railing to get the clear panoramic views whereas at back stands the multi-floor hexagonal building. For reaching this building’s top, climb more stairs and pay a nominal fee. And it is all worth after seeing the views from the top. Clouds were floating among the mountains and we could see the specs of Gangtok city in between. The whole scene looked imaginary and completely out of the world.

View from Tashi View Point
View from Tashi View Point

Here you will also see the tourists getting themselves draped and clicked in traditional Sikkimese dresses.

Dragon art at Tashi View Point in Gangtok
Dragon art at Tashi View Point in Gangtok

Bakthang waterfall – Gangtok Sikkim

Bakthang waterfall lies 3 kilometers from Gangtok city on the North Sikkim Highway. The fall looks absolutely magnificent because of its spread and the way it falls on the green canopy of creepers.

Bakthang Waterfall
Bakthang Waterfall in Gangtok Sikkim India

In front of the Bakthang waterfall is a green bridge where one can climb up for better views and pictures. Also, do enjoy juicy and delicious momos from a local vendor standing in the car parking lot.

Lal Market

The Lal Bazaar very close to MG Marg truly represents the vibrant colors of Sikkim. The local farmers congregate here to sell their local produce and interestingly the majority of vendors are women. On Sunday, the market is super full and it looks like a melody of colors.

Mushroom at Lal Market in Gangtok
Mushroom at Lal Market in Gangtok

Lal Market has 3 floors, where the 1st and 2nd floors are dedicated to vegetable and fruit vendors and part of the 2nd and complete 3rd floor, are for purchasing clothes of every variety and range. We went here to purchase Dalle – the spiciest Chilli in the world and some local mushrooms.

Dalle- The spiciest chilli in the world
Dalle- The spiciest chili in the world

Dalle, the chili of a cherry size was a rare commodity in the market and was available in red and green. We brought 500 grams each to prepare Dalle Khursani.

Ropeway Ride for bird’s eye view of Gangtok Sikkim

The ropeway cable car ride is one of the topmost tourist attraction of Gangtok. It is a kilometer-long ride, which starts from Deorali near the Institute of Tibetology and goes up to Tashiling. The Cable car operates daily between 9:30 am to 4:30 pm continuously and the ticket price is Rs. 110/- per adult and Rs. 70/- for child below 6 years. Also, video camera charges are additional Rs. 100/-. 

Deorali Butterfly Bridge in Gangtok
Deorali Butterfly Bridge in Gangtok

Attractions Nearby Gangtok

Nathula Pass

The Nathula Pass located at 14,140 feet lies 56 kilometers from Gangtok town and can be visited as a day trip. The route was once the main silk trade route between India and China but today only limited trade takes place here. For more details on Nathula Pass and permit check here.

Tsomgo/ Changu Lake

The Tsomgo or Changu Lake is a glacial oval-shaped lake at 12,310 feet. It lies 40 Kilometers from Gangtok and can also be visited as a day trip destination. The Changu Lake Lake too is considered as one of the highest glacial lakes of India like Gurudongmar Lake and Chandratal Lake.

Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake
Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake (Source)

Note: Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake both need an inner line permit for a visit and can be visited via local cabs only. We skipped visiting both these places for two reasons. First, as we already visited another high altitude Lake i.e. Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim and second we never wanted to travel anymore in the cabs.

Live – Accomodation in Gangtok Sikkim India

There are plenty of accommodation options in Gangtok from guest houses to budget hotels to luxurious hotels. The only criteria we had set up for choosing a hotel for ourselves was to find a good place near to the MG Marg. So, we choose to stay at Hotel Chumbi Residency, located on the Tibet Road, at just 5 minutes’ walk away from the main market M.G. Marg.

The Lobby of Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
The Lobby of Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok

The first look of the hotel lobby was impressive. It was well decorated with artifacts reflecting the Sikkim culture and the huge glass on one end gave the complete view of landscapes around Gangtok.

View from Hotel Lobby of Chumbi Residency
View from Hotel Lobby of Chumbi Residency

We opted for the Jade room at Rs. 2500 per night. The room was super comfortable, cozy, well furnished and had the feel of the bedroom, which we needed for the coming 4-5 days. Moreover, the huge window on one end was enough to have Gangtok feel.

Jade room at Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
Jade room at Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok

The hotel Chumbi Residency has its own parking space and a wonderful restaurant Tangerine, which serves Continental, Oriental, Indian and Sikkimese cuisine. The other plus of the place is that they let you leave your vehicle while going for a North Sikkim tour.

Fall in Love with Gangtok Sikkim

Gangtok truly represents the beauty and serenity. It is a place which takes you through rolling hills, lush green misty valleys, beautiful monasteries and makes you fall in love. Here are some reasons why we say that

  1. Gangtok is the friendliest walking city with proper pathways
  2. Is absolutely pollution and dirt free
  3. The “N” number of cafeterias, serve the yummiest cuisines without robbing your pockets. So, the city is a gastronomical delight
  4. Has well-aligned policies for the safety and growth of state & Citizens
  5. Weather is excellent throughout the year
  6. And there are multiple options of day trips from the city

How to reach Gangtok

The closest airport to Gangtok was Bagdogra airport near Siliguri in West Bengal. From there one could opt for shared cabs, private taxis, local bus or Zoomcar. We took Zoomcar from Siliguri to Gangtok and it took us around 5 hours to reach there. However, on 4 October 2019, the new airport has opened up at Pakyong in Sikkim which is about 33 km from Gangtok and this will cut downtime to reach Gangtok to 1-hour form 5 hours.

Weather at Gangtok Sikkim, India

Gangtok has mild comfortable temperature weather throughout the year and it never crosses 25 degrees Celsius. Here, Summers are from April end to June and the temperature ranges between 22° to 14 degrees Celsius. Monsoon starts in June and continues till September. During this time Gangtok receives heavy downpour and one can witness multiple landslides too. Autumn lasts in September and October. Winter starts in November and continues until March. The temperature ranges between 7° to 4 degrees Celsius and sometimes even dip to 1 degree Celsius. Spring lasts in April and the weather starts getting warm.

We visited Gangtok in Monsoons and it is a trip to remember forever. The valley was beautifully covered in clouds. The rain continued for days but we didn’t mind getting wet anywhere. Landscapes too looked lush green and misty. So, if you are a rain lover and sucker of natural beauty than visit Gangtok during monsoon i.e. in off season.

 

Travel Guide for 10 Days Darjeeling Sikkim tour

We (AllGUDTHINGS), known as the unplanned travelers, are quite random in our travel plans. If one hour we are at home, another hour we will be packing and leaving for some destination. Exactly the same happened during our anniversary. The plan was to go somewhere in Himachal from Delhi, then came Munsiyari in Uttarakhand and by night the whole plan changed and we opted to go for a Darjeeling Sikkim Tour. Most people, don’t trust us on this, but yes we booked our tickets at midnight for Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri in West Bengal and boarded our flight next morning at 11:00 am. So, without any schedule, plan or bookings we left to explore the tea estate land Darjeeling and the smallest state of India, Sikkim.

Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

About Darjeeling Sikkim

Darjeeling, a hill town is located in the lower Himalayas in West Bengal at 6700 feet. It is well known for its Darjeeling tea, the world’s third highest mountain Kanchenjunga, and the UNESCO world heritage site the Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train. Darjeeling is 68 Kilometers from Bagdogra and 80 Kilometers from Siliguri via Hill Cart road and can be reached in almost 3 hours.

Darjeeling Toy Train Steam Engine

Whereas Sikkim, the least populous and second smallest state of India is divided into North, South, East and West Sikkim. It is known nationally as the most environmentally conscious state, having banned plastic bottles and polystyrene products. The state is a host for the highest peak of India i.e. Kanchenjunga and 35% part of the state is covered by Kanchenjunga National Park. Its capital is Gangtok. Interestingly, Sikkim was earlier not on every tourist’s radar but thanks to social media for giving it glamour.

Tea Estates in Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Tea Estates in Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Itinerary for Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Day 1– Fly to Bagdogra airport from Delhi. Hire a Zoomcar from Siliguri and then head further to Darjeeling. Read our experience of Zoomcar from Siliguri to Sikkim

Day 2– Explore Darjeeling

Day 3- Drive to Gangtok from Darjeeling

Day 4- Explore Gangtok and surroundings

Day 5-7 North Sikkim Tour. Visit Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley, Yumthang Valley, Kala Pathar, Katao

Day 8– Drive towards West Sikkim to reach Pelling but unfortunately, we had to come back to Gangtok because of a massive landslide on the way.

Day 9 – Explore East Sikkim (Rumtek Monastery and Surroundings)

Day 10 –Drive from Gangtok till Siliguri by Zoomcar, then to Bagdogra airport by cab, and further flight back home to Delhi

Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Total Expense Breakup

  • Flights – Because of offseason (July – August), to & fro ticket (Delhi – Bagdogra) cost us Rs. 12,000 for two people
  • Zoomcar for the whole trip – Rs, 20,000 for first 965 Kilometers, and 5,000 Rs. as refundable security. Above this, the additional Kilometers will be charged at Rs. 15 per kilometer
  • North Sikkim Trip – Rs. 16,000 including cab, accommodation and permit + Rs. 4000/- for covering additional places like Kala Pathar, Zero Point, Chopta Valley, and Katao
  • Cab from Bagdogra airport to Siliguri – Rs.1400 to and fro
  • Hotel in Darjeeling – Due to the offseason we got Rs. 7000/- Club Room in Rs. 3500/- (Heritage Hotel); So, Rs. 7000/- for 2 nights including two meals
  • Hotels in Gangtok – Rs. 2500/- per night again due to offseason (Rs. 10,000/- for 4 nights)
  • Miscellaneous meals – Breakfast between Rs. 500- Rs.700 whereas Dinner costs around Rs. 1000- Rs. 1500. Total cost approx. – Rs. 15000/-
  • Shopping – Rs. 5000/-

Transport in Darjeeling Sikkim

Darjeeling and Sikkim both have well-connected roads and can be reached via bus, shared or private cabs. The self-drive option is also open in Darjeeling and certain districts of Sikkim, just that one needs proper permits for it. So, being road trip lovers we opted for a self-drive option and did the complete journey with Zoomcar from Siliguri.

Zoomcar Parking Lot Siliguri. - Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Zoomcar Parking Lot Siliguri. – Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Private and shared cabs run at very short intervals from Bagdogra airport. Shared jeep charges almost Rs. 150/- per person but it moves when it is full and there are 10 people in the jeep between 7 am to 3 pm. There is another Luxury class, share ride, which carries only 5 passengers by the name Wizzride. It starts from Siliguri and takes one to Darjeeling at a fare of Rs. 475/- and Gangtok at a fare of Rs.712 per seat. Whereas the private cab charges are Rs. 1850.00 for small car and Rs. 2200.00 for a large car.

Bus, the cheapest mode of transport starts at 7:00 am from Siliguri and go up to Darjeeling/ Gangtok. Night service is not available.

Darjeeling Toy Train Track runs parallel to road from Siliguri to Darjeeling

Another exciting option is to travel by Darjeeling Toy Train. The diesel engine hauled toy train leaves from NJP station i.e. New Jalpaiguri railway station; in the morning around 9 am and it takes about 7 hours to reach Darjeeling. The train can also be boarded from Siliguri Town and Siliguri Junction stations that are 5kms and 8kms away from NJP respectively. One side fare for First Class is Rs. 1,285/-. For the Darjeeling Toy Train schedule, check here.

Permits/ Interstate Rod Taxes for Self Drive Zoomcar

From Siliguri to Darjeeling, we didn’t pay any tax but while entering state Sikkim from West Bengal, at Rangpo we paid an interstate tax of around 700 Rs for 9 days. This amount is nonrefundable by Zoomcar and you will get an alert in the Zoomcar app as soon as you enter the sate.

Note: Zoomcar cannot be taken to North and East Sikkim because the permits for the regions are issued to the Travel agents only. For Day 5-7 we parked our vehicle at the hotel itself.

Day Wise Itinerary Breakup

Day 1 – Flight to Bagdogra Airport from Delhi, Took Zoomcar from Siliguri and moved to Darjeeling

Board a flight from New Delhi airport and you will land at Bagdogra airport in 2 – 2:15 hrs. Bagdogra airport is a small airport. Within minutes, you will collect your baggage and make an exit. At the exit gate itself, you will be surrounded by plenty of cab drivers quoting random prices. If you have not booked your cab earlier, we advise you to take an exit, walk for 500 meters and book a cab at the prepaid counter.

We hired the cab for Siliguri, from prepaid taxi stand at Rs.700/-. In 45 minutes he dropped us to the Zoomcar parking lot. As, we reached the Parking lot, our Red Scorpio and the customer care executive was waiting for us. He checked our license on arrival and handed us the documents bag, which had car RC, insurance and other important documents in it. Further he asked us to do quick inspection of the car and make a note of the scratches, dents or any other issues.  To be on the safer side, we made a quick short video and took pictures of the car.

Further, the customer representative logged into the app showed us the checklist explaining all the modules, took our signatures, handed us the keys and we were all set to go. For more details check our post experience with Zoomcar from Siliguri to Sikkim.

Tea Estates in Darjeeling
Tea Estates in Darjeeling

Within 15 minutes, we were on the road to Darjeeling. The road to Darjeeling is a beautiful road with the narrow gauge track on one side and valley on others. From one point, there are continuous ascent and tea estates on another side.  We took the Hill cart road also known as the main road and reached Darjeeling in 4 hours. Clouds were pouring, there was hardly any visibility and all we could smell was freshness in the valley.

Route: Siliguri- Kurseong- Sonada- Ghoom- Darjeeling

Accommodation at Darjeeling

There are plenty of accommodation options in Darjeeling from luxurious hotels to budget ones, guest houses and heritage homes. We choose to stay at the Central heritage resort and Spa Hotel, constructed in 1905. The hotel has heritage and a newly constructed block.

Central Heritage Resort & Spa in Darjeeling
Central Heritage Resort & Spa in Darjeeling

We chose to stay at the Heritage Club room, which completely reflected the design of the Colonial era. The room had extensive woodwork, antique furnishing, fireplace, paintings, and all required necessities. In a hotel, there are two multi-cuisine restaurants and one of them has a bar too. Also, there is also a separate bar lounge with a designated smoking area. Food is good and we advise you to must try fish from their starters menu.

Restaurant at Central Heritage Resort
Restaurant at Central Heritage Resort

Note: The Central Heritage resort is located centrally right in the market area, and the mall (chowrasta) is only a 4-5-minute walk from here. Rest markets, taxi stand, railway station, and great restaurants are also within easy walking distance from here. 

Day 2Explore Darjeeling

Darjeeling, the queen of the hill stations is also the home to a Toy train and is a land of tea estates. The bustling town, towered over by the majestic Khangchendzonga (8598 m), also has many amazing attractions around it.

Darjeeling Toy Train Station.
Darjeeling Toy Train Station

But we just had one day for Darjeeling in 10 days’ Darjeeling Sikkim Tour. So, it was impossible for us to check every attraction and here is what all we checked and will recommend to you.

  • Get up early and go to Tiger Hill for catching the first sunlight on snowcapped peaks of Kanchenjunga. If the weather is clear you will also get a glimpse of Mount Everest. Unfortunately, during our trip there was heavy rain so we skipped going to Tiger Hill.
  • Go for a stroll to the Darjeeling railway station. See how till the day, the steam engines of Toy Tain are set and the train track is cleaned
  • Toy Train starts at 7:40 am from Darjeeling Railway station. Opt to go till the nearest station Ghum/ Ghoom, which is the highest altitude station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track. It’s a 2-hour round trip covering a total distance of 14kms
  • Head to Batasia Loop, which is one of the greatest engineering marvels till day. The Loop was commissioned in 1919 for the toy train to handle a steep gradient of 140 feet. Just after Ghoom, there is a sharp fall as the toy train moves towards Darjeeling so this was the only way to reduce the gradient of the slope. 
  • Go to Chowrasta/ or the mall for the relaxing stroll and shopping. In August, practice for 15th August was going on mall road, so we enjoyed the perfect show in a mist
  • Enjoy delicious Thupka and momos which you can find on every corner.
  • Visit Darjeeling Tea Estates and learn about the various types of tea. We brought some flavors for ourselves from Golden Tips. Also read the guide on Darjeeling tea, before buying for yourself
  • Visit Peace Pagoda sitting atop the Charlemont Hill. It was established by the Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii as a way of promoting World Peace and harmony
  • If you have more time, then do visit Kalimpong, Sandakhpu, Himalayan Mountaineering Institue, Padmaja, and Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Chowrasta in Darjeeling- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Chowrasta in Darjeeling- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Day 3 – Road trip from Darjeeling to Gangtok, Sikkim

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim lies 100 Kilometers from Darjeeling and can be reached in 5-6 hours. Tea estates in the valley accompany you on the way, further taken over by River Teesta/ Tista. Roads in West Bengal are well built and starts getting narrower after some Kilometres. You will cross several small colourful villages on the way and at times expect taking detours too.

Route: Darjeeling- Tista- Meli- Rangpo- Singtam- Ranpool- Gangtok

Eco Tourism project on the way from Darjeeling to Gangtok
Eco Tourism project on the way from Darjeeling to Gangtok

At Rangpo cross a bridge and there is a check post. Here, you need to pay, interstate tax for driving from West Bengal. We paid Rs. 700 for almost 8 days. For documentation take your car’s Registration Card and Driving License and the whole process takes around 15 minutes.

We reached Gangtok by 4:00 pm and the first thing was to search for a Hotel near MG Marg, as we had no prior bookings. July – August is considered the off-season period, so we were sure we will get it on a bit of a search.

Gangtok during Monsoons
Gangtok during Monsoons

Accommodation at Gangtok

Just like Darjeeling, there are plenty of accommodation options in Gangtok. We planned to stay at Chumbi Residency, located on the Tibet Road, and just 5 minutes’ walk away from the main market M.G. Marg.

Lobby of Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
Lobby of Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok

The hotel lobby of Chumbi residency was well decorated with artifacts reflecting the Sikkim culture and the huge glass on one end gave the complete view of landscapes with floating clouds in between. We opted for the Jade room at Rs. 2500 per night. The room was super comfortable, cozy and well furnished. It had the perfect feel of the bedroom, as it was going to be our abode for the coming 4-5 days. The staff welcomed us with a pleasant smile and were super helpful. They guided us with all the petty details, we needed on our unplanned trip.

Jade Room at Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
Jade Room at Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok

Note: The Chumbi Residency has its own parking space and lets you leave your vehicle while going for a North Sikkim tour. Also, they have one of the best restaurants of Gangtok by name, Tangerine, which serves Continental, Oriental, Indian and Sikkimese cuisine.

In the evening we went for a quick stroll at MG Garg and were impressed by the vibes of the place and food options we can enjoy here.

MG Marg Gangtok
MG Marg Gangtok

Day 4 – Explored Gangtok and Surroundings

Gangtok, the neat and clean vibrant town is full of life and is equally peaceful too. There are plenty of things to enjoy in Gangtok and its surroundings. So, here is what we will suggest to you.

Bakthang Waterfall in Gangtok
Bakthang Waterfall in Gangtok
  • Take a stroll at MG Marg. It has plenty of amazing cafes, bookstores, and restaurants to chill out
  • Visit the nearest Bakthang waterfall. Also enjoy tea, Momos, and Maggi from the tea vendors there
  • Admire the views of Kanchenjunga from Kanchenjunga viewpoint
  • Pay a visit at colorful Hanuman Tok and Ganesha Tok
  • Visit Lal market to buy Dalle (the spiciest chili in the world) and some more souvenirs
  • If you’re Skipping North Sikkim, then we would recommend you to visit the glittering Tsomgo/Changu Lake, Nathula Pass, and Tashi View Point. However, if you are visiting North Sikkim, then you can skip these sites and the Tashi viewpoint will come on your way
  • In the evening head to MG Garg and enjoy some local Momos and Thupkas or relish good food and local drinks at a café. We have explored some amazing cafes during our visit and will be writing about them soon
Ganesh Tok in Gangtok
Ganesh Tok in Gangtok

Day 5 – Drive to North Sikkim (Lachen)

The real Darjeeling Sikkim tour started here, as we will be visiting the remotest area i.e. North Sikkim. For the next 3 days, our Zoomcar was in the parking lot and we will be tripping in the local cab as one cannot drive his/her own vehicle or take Zoomcar to the restricted areas of Sikkim. Moreover, Indians need inner line permit whereas foreigners need restricted area permit for visiting these areas. For us, the last minute bookings and permits were arranged by our Hotel staff with a trustworthy driver.

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Documents for Permit

Carry an identity proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport) of each individual along with 2-3 photographs.

Our day started with a call from a driver (Sharon Chettri) at 9:00 am. He instructed us to carry water, snacks, medicines, and other necessary stuff on the way as it is going to be a long and tedious day. We packed and left at the earliest. As soon we took an exit from Gangtok, vistas started changing. Surroundings became completely green and the roads turned narrow and winding. The journey looked like a marvel with endless waterfalls and panoramic views of Himalayas. We advise you to make multiple stops in between to sip tea with views, have food and obviously for photography.

Tea with views on the way to Lachen
Tea with views on the way to Lachen- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Route to LachenGangtok – Mangan- Chungthang- Lachen

Distance – 110 Kilometers

Time to reach – approx. 6 to7 hrs. but in seasons this can go up to 8-10 hrs.

Note: From Mangan, the restricted area zone begins. Here, at the check post, your permit will be checked and you will be advised to purchase a plastic bottle as ahead Mangan plastic bottles are not allowed. Isn’t that wonderful? Also buy some snacks and munchies, if you are not carrying from Gangtok.

Views on the way to Lachen in North Sikkim
Views on the way to Lachen in North Sikkim

Accommodation and Meals in Lachen

We reached Lachen by 5:00 – 5:30 pm. It was raining continuously and the temperature had already dipped by several degrees. The driver took us immediately into Hotel Sinolchu (included in our package) and on arrival, the owner served us hot tea. We relaxed for some time and then left for a walk in the beautiful village.

The Colorful Dining area of Hotel Sinolchu at Lachen
The Colorful Dining area of Hotel Sinolchu at Lachen

At Lachen, there are limited accommodation options. Although, lots of new good hotels are coming up but in offseason many are closed; so just expect the basic accommodation and meals. Basic accommodation means guest house with very limited facilities. Our hotel rooms were small, had two single beds, an attached washroom, and unpredictable lighting. Meals served too were quite basic and it included Rice, Dal, Veg, and Chapatti only. One or two shops in the evening were open and were serving hot Maggi, Thupka, and Momos.

Early Morning views of Lachen
Early Morning views of Lachen- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Day 6 – Drive to Gurudongamr Lake, Chopta Valley, Kala Pathar and night at Lachung

Lachen is the mid-point to the remotest and highest Gurudongmar Lake. From here the distance to Lake is just 67 Kilometers but it takes almost 5 hours to reach. So, start your day quite early at 4:30 am to reach Gurudongmar Lake by 9:00 – 9:30 am.

Route: Lachen – Thangu Valley – Gurudongmar Lake

The graveled road ahead Lachen turn into pebbly and muddy road with wide pot holes.  Road becomes a single lane road and your driver will be driving at a speed of 10- 15 Kms/ hr. Just think that you will be off-roading for most of the time. Your driver will make a quick stop for a breakfast before reaching Thangu Check post. It will be too early for breakfast but we advise you to have something to avoid AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness). After this, the road turns bumpier and green landscapes are taken over by barren mountains.

Road to Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim
Road to Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim – Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Further, the last checkpoint and settlement come at Giagong i.e. at 15,000th feet. you can use public convenience and enjoy soup or tea at the café. Just, 9 kilometers before the destination, roads turned smoother and well-constructed and you start seeing the snowcapped peaks. Landscapes around will keep you hypnotized throughout and in the next few minutes, you will be standing by the glistening blue Gurudongmar Lake. For the detailed experience please read the complete post on Gurudongmar Lake.

Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim
Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim

It was already 11:30 am. Our driver was shouting for us to come back as the wind and water speed has already increased but we were not ready. Anyways we had too and started our journey back.

On the way, we took a detour to Chopta Valley and Kala Pathar. The Chopta Valley, at 13,200 feet is just 2-3 detour from Thangu. It is a valley of green carpet and flowers and it left us completely stunned by its riots of colors. The valley is still unexplored but it looked like a heaven for the nature lovers.

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From the valley keep ascending further on the pebbly road, crossing multiple waterfalls till 14,850 feet to see the snow-covered black cliffs known as Kala Patthar. It is a very close point at Indo- Tibet border and there is no human settlement here.

Kala Pathara is a new, less known tourist destination and is not included in the North Sikkim package. You need to pay your driver some extra money for this trip. Our driver asked us Rs. 2500/- per destination but we negotiated and paid him lump sum Rs. 4000/- extra. We left the place by 2:30 am and reached back Lachen by 4:00 pm.

Road to Kala Pathar in North Sikkim- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Quick lunch at Lachen and we further left for Lachung. It was already pouring and we were afraid of Landslides on the way. So, we just planned to cover the distance at the earliest without taking much stops. From Lachen, Lachung is just 47 Kilometers but it takes around 3 hours to reach. 

Route: Lachen- Chungthang – Lachung

On the way, comes the Bhewma waterfall also known as Amitabh Bachchan Waterfall. Here water falls from a height of 275 meters, and it is known so because of the shooting of the movie Aankhen starring Amitabh Bachchan at this particular spot.

Accommodation and Meals in Lachung

We reached Lachung by 8:30 pm and checked in to our Hotel the Cliff View Residency, located a bit away from the main town. Quick hot water bath, followed by dinner and we were ready to sleep. The rain was still pouring and we were still literally about the journey ahead to Yumthang valley.

View from our room in Lachung- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
View from our room in Lachung

Our Hotel included in the package was very basic but had an excellent view. The room was clean, had a double bed and quilts with lots of mosquitoes. Dinner too was basic just like in Lachen and included the similar Dal, mixed Veg, Chapati, and Rice. So, we seriously advise you to inquire about the accommodation and meals with a tour operator before booking the North Sikkim Trip.

Day 7 – Drive to Yumthang Valley, Zero Point and Transfer back to Gangtok

Our day began at 6:00 am and by 7:00 am, we left for Yumthang valley, also known as the valley of flowers. In light, Lachung looked much bigger than Lachen and perfectly green with beautiful landscapes all around.  

On the way to Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim
On the way to Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

Route: Lachung – Yumthang- Zero Point

As we crossed Lachung, roads became narrower with a continuous ascent. Clouds were floating in between the Himalayas and last night rain had made everything looked cleaner and greener. At times there were no roads and we were just driving on the stones and water streams but we were completely hypnotized by the views around.

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Finally, we entered the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary in the Yumthang valley, from a beautiful gate. The road was lined on both sides by the flowering plants and we could see the tributary of River Teesta, (Lachung Chu), flowing in between the valley. And then came a halt! We rushed out of the car to see what has happened. It was a massive landslide because of the last night rain and there Our fear came true. We waited for half an hour but there was no scope of getting it Cleared.

River Lachung Chu Tributary of River Teesta in Yumthang Valley- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
iver Lachung Chu Tributary of River Teesta in Yumthang Valley

From there we took a U-turn and seeing our disappointment our driver took us to another place Katao, situated at 13,500 feet along the Indo- China Border. Katao too offers the panoramic view of Himalayan ranges and is known as the rival of Yumthang Valley in beauty. Just like Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir, it is also known as Switzerland of India.

Way to Katao in North Sikkim - Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Way to Katao in North Sikkim

We spent some good time there and started our journey back to Gangtok. Fully exhausted, we reached Gangtok back by 6:00 pm.

Day 8 – Drive to West Sikkim and Back to Gangtok

We started our day in a relaxed manner, with a good breakfast and left in Zoomcar to reach Pelling town, located in West Sikkim. The plan was to chill for the remaining days in West Sikkim and then back to Gangtok but destiny had planned some other surprise for us.

Butterfly Waterfall on the way to West Sikkim- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Butterfly Waterfall on the way to West Sikkim.

We started our journey seeing Google Maps and instead of going back to Singtam, we planned to take the other scenic route; crossing east and South Sikkim to reach West Sikkim i.e – Gangtok – Bakthang Waterfall- Samdong- Rangang- Ravangla . The route was extremely scenic with multiple detours and waterfalls. But all that starts well doesn’t end well too. After driving for 6 hours, we couldn’t cover 80 Kilometers. And just 10 Kilometers before Ravangla, there happened a massive Landslide. So, left with no other option we had to take a detour to reach Singtam and back to the base, Gangtok.

Day 9 – Explore East Sikkim and Surroundings

Gangtok lies in East Sikkim and left with just a day in hand we thought to explore the surrounding areas only. The area on our mind was Zuluk but it too needed a permit and could be explored with the local operators only. So, we gave up on it and made a visit to the Rumtek Monastery and Karma Shri Nalanda Institute.

Rumtek-Monastery in East Sikkim- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Rumtek-Monastery in East Sikkim

Rumtek Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Sikkim is located on the hilltop and faces the Gangtok city. Many sacred objects are housed within the complex, and one of the most magnificent is the Golden Stupa, which contains the precious relics of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa. Just opposite to it is the Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, for higher Buddhist studies.

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From there we drove, further in East Sikkim, to soak our eyes with some more gorgeous views and ended our day by doing restaurant and café hopping.

Day 10 – Drive to Siliguri to hand over Zoomcar, Transfer to Bagdogra Airport and Back to Delhi

Even after spending enough time in Sikkim, we were not ready to leave and we are totally in LOVE with the state.

Anyways, we left around 9:00am. Distance from Gangtok to Siliguri is just 115 Kilometers and expected time to reach was 4:30 hrs. But we took a margin of 2 hours, to handover over Zoomcar because of the bad roads, landslides and unexpected detours in Sikkim. But unexpectedly reached within the time span, handed Zoomcar at Siliguri office in 15-20 without any damage and took a flight back to Delhi.

Flight Back to Delhi from Bagdogra Airport -  Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Flight Back to Delhi from Bagdogra Airport

Some Tips for Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

  • The closest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal and it takes around 5 hours to reach from there to Gangtok. However, the new airport in Sikkim has opened this October 4, and this will certainly make it easier for travelers who plan to visit the city. It’s located, about 33 km from Gangtok so travel to Gangtok will come down from 5 hours to just one.
  • If you are traveling in Monsoons i.e. July- August expect a lot of change in plans due to landslides, excessive rain and detours whereas in season time there are long queues
  • Roads are really bad in Sikkim, so the traveling time can go hours beyond the expected reach time
  • Driving a Zoomcar in the state was fun and locals didn’t create any problem for us, except a big stare. All we hear about the locals creating a problem for self-drive vehicles is just a rumor
  • One cannot drive his own vehicle or take a Zoomcar to the restricted areas like North Sikkim, and East Sikkim
  • Sikkim is not just a Buddhist state. Most of the people are Hindus and they follow Buddhism
  • Smoking is banned in public and plastic too. You might just get penalized for throwing the wrappers anywhere on the road
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour

So, during our Darjeeling Sikkim tour, we tasted Darjeeling and all the districts of Sikkim but missed reaching many destinations too due to excess of rains and landslides. We saw a lush green beautiful Sikkim, with almost Zero tourists. Overall, it is a trip to remember forever.

If you still have any questions for us, leave in the comments. We will be happy to answer them.