Gangtok

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.