Gangtok itinerary for 3 days :-
Day-1 Bagdogra Airport --> Gangtok (125km, 4hrs) :
Bagdogra is the nearest airport and it takes around 4hrs to
reach Gangtok from there. You would start from Bengal, slightly discouraged
with the traffic, pollution and dust in the Bagdogra area, gradually head
towards Siliguri hills, slightly motivated with the views, and eventually enter
Sikkim via Rangpo feeling awe-struck with the sheer beauty of Sikkim. As you tread up Sikkim along meandering roads, Teesta
tosta river will accompany you till you reach Gangtok.
Why I suggest to stay near MG Marg :-
-
That’s the ONLY happening place in Gangtok with
the best eating and shopping options.
-
You will find ample taxi’s to go to other famous
places in and around Gangtok.
On the day one, you would surely be too tired and too late
to go for any sightseeing. Have a stroll on the MG Road, enjoy momos with a cup
of ‘hard-hitting-best-smelling Sikkim tea’
and shed your tiredness with a ‘wife-permitted massage’ at a Spa saloon(attempt-1).
My two cents :
1) Must-Must
try the Sikkim oranges. They are as small as a lemon but extremely tasty.
2) Must
not –Must not try the Sikkim chillies. They are as small as a baby lemon but
extremely nasty.
NOTE : Push your tour
operator to arrange for Nathula and Changu lake Permits for the next day.
Day-2 Hotel --> Nathula
(50 kms, 2hrs) :
After you have your breakfast leave early for Nathu La. Located
at an altitude of 14,140 feet and 52kms from Gangtok, Nathula is one amazing
place from where you can see the Indo-China border.
Enroute Nathula, on a good
day with bright sunshine and no clouds you will see a HUGEEEEEE mountain on
some far distance from you. It has to be THEE MOST beautiful sight of your
life, watching Mt. Kanchenjunga standing tall and reflecting gold as the
sun shines on it.
 |
| Mt. Kanjenchunga |
Around 12 kms from Nathula, you might want to visit the Baba
Mandir. This Mandir has a slightly horror, slightly patriotic history behind
it, so the whole feel of the place is pretty different (Read the history on
internet and you would either be too excited or too horrified to visit the
place ;) ).
For me the most breathtaking place in my gangtok sojourn was
the Changu lake (also called Tsomgo lake).
The lake is frozen from Dec-May and trust my words, the lake
becomes multi-folds more beautiful when frozen.
 |
| Tsomgo Lake (rather, The Frozen Tsomgo Lake) |
My two Cents :
1) Carry
popcorns, chewing gums and water along as you might feel a little dizzy at 14000 ft.
2) There
is no use buying the Snow shoes unless you know how to walk on snow. After
falling a good 20 times, a good old Bengali gentleman taught me how to walk on
snow. “Place your heel first”.
As you reach the hotel, tired and exhausted, you can try
your luck for a “wife-permitted massage” at a Spa saloon. In case, your second
attempt also fails, have a cup of black Sikkim tea and doze off ;)
Day-3 Hotel -->
Local tour -->
Hotel
Your day today would showcase the vibrant and enthralling
culture of Sikkim. Start by visiting Rumtek Monastery. I was told that it is
one of the largest monasteries in the world and buy my words it’s a visual
treat to watch this architecturally captivating Buddhist monastery built in the
lap of an extremely beautiful-peaceful place.
Your tour guide will take you to the following other places
which are just fine enough to spend 10-15 mins each and take a couple of pics.
-
Institute of tibetelogy.
-
Do Drul Chorten.
-
Flower show.
In the evening, go for some tea shopping. Smell the most
exotic teas (costing more than 25000/kg) at Golden tips on MG Road.
My wife is just pretending to be a Tea connoisseur in the picture below :D
My two cents :
1)
If you have failed miserably in
your attempt-1 and attempt-2 than I would suggest not to go for an
attempt-3(for the sake of a happy married life post vacation).
2) Alcohol is pretty cheap in Gangtok, so you might want to buy a couple
of bottles for home.
Day-4
Wake up early and head towards airport, at least 6.5 hrs
before your flight, coz traffic in Siliguri can be really bad.
Best Food Options :
1) Momos
: Rolls corner.
2) Thukpa
: Golden dragon restaurant, MG Road.
Places and Experiences I skipped :
- North Sikkim, covering Yumthang valley, Lachung, Lachen and Seven sisters waterfall.
Important Advise :
-
Never
plan a Sun-Mon-Tue trip to Gangtok.
o
Sundays : Half the places I mentioned on day 3
are closed on Sundays.
o
Monday :
Nathula is closed on Mon and Tue.
-
Never
plan a Gangtok trip in Dec-Jan.
o
The probability of getting a permit to Nathula –
Changu lake is only 20%. So it would be a huge disappointment if you are not
able to visit these places.
-
Never
plan a Gangtok trip with the motivation of having a Spa. :(
Gangtok is a visually stunning, culturally rich and a very very relaxed place. People seem
content with their lives and keep their place clean and glittering. Must visit
Gangtok, just to experience a ‘Different
India’.
Thanks,
Jaideep Singh
(jaideep248@gmail.com)
Cost Summary :
MMT Package(Meals + hotel + All transportation) : 8999
/person
Flight : 7500 /person
Recommended Hotel : Hotels near MG Marg . Mine was Summit
Namnang.
