Top places to visit in Gangtok

• MG Marg

  promenade · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Gangtok's spotless pedestrian-only main boulevard, lined with cafes, shops and benches amid flowers and mountain air — the lively heart of the city.

• Tsomgo (Changu) Lake

  glacial-lake · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A sacred glacial lake at 3,753 m about 40 km from Gangtok, framed by snow peaks and offering yak rides; it changes colour with the seasons (permit required).

• Gangtok MG Road Evening Walk

  promenade · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The vibrant pedestrian heart of Gangtok — MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Road) is the shopping, dining, and social hub of the city. Closed to traffic and lined with benches, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Lovely in the evening with mountain air…

• Nathula Pass Indo-China Border

  monument · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of three open trading posts between India and China at 4310m — a strategic mountain pass on the ancient Silk Route. Indian and Chinese Army personnel stand 30m apart across the gate. Breathtaking and historically charged at extreme…

• Nathula Pass

  mountain-pass · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A dramatic 4,310 m pass on the India-China border along the old Silk Route, with snow, a war memorial and bunkers (special permit required, closed some days).

• Yumthang Valley

  valley · 4.9 rating · about 24 h · check the fee at the gate

  The rhododendron valley of Yumthang at 3564m is one of the most spectacular sights in North Sikkim — 24 species of rhododendron bloom in a wide alpine valley with snow-capped peaks behind. A 2-day trip from Gangtok with overnight at…

• Gangtok Sikkim Café and Momo Trail

  district · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Gangtok is the momo capital of India — the humble steamed Tibetan dumpling reaches its apex here. MG Marg and the market area have dozens of stalls and cafes serving traditional pork and veg momos, along with thukpa, phagshapa, and gundruk…

• Rumtek Monastery

  monastery · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹10

  Sikkim's largest and most significant monastery, seat of the Karmapa and the Kagyu lineage, with a golden stupa, vivid murals and a hilltop setting.

• Tsomgo Baba Mandir Area

  shrine · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Adjacent to Tsomgo Lake, the Baba Mandir (Baba Harbhajan Singh shrine) is a military memorial shrine for an Indian Army soldier who died in 1968 and is believed to still patrol the border. A fascinating and unique piece of Sikkim…

• Ravangla Buddha Park

  temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹100

  A large bronze Buddha statue and meditation park at Ravangla (2134m) in South Sikkim, 65km from Gangtok. The 130-foot Tathagata Tsal Buddha statue overlooks the valley with Kangchenjunga behind. A beautiful and serene environment.

• Gangtok Ropeway

  cable-car · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · entry ₹130

  A scenic cable-car ride (Damovar ropeway) connecting three stations across the hillside, with bird's-eye views over Gangtok and the valley.

• Do-Drul Chorten Stupa

  monument · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  One of the most important stupas in Sikkim, built in 1945 within a complex of 108 prayer wheels. Circumambulating the stupa while spinning the wheels is an important meditative ritual. Mandala paintings and monk quarters surround the…

Things to do

• Nathu La Pass Border Excursion Indo-China Sightseeing · 8 h · from INR 2,000 per person
• Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir Excursion Nature · 8 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Tsomgo Lake to Baba Mandir Drive Sunrise Sightseeing · 6 h · from INR 2,500 per person
• Rumtek Monastery Golden Stupa Heritage Heritage · 3 h · from INR 400 per person
• Sikkim Folk Dance and Mask Dance Show Heritage · 2 h · from INR 600 per person
• Sikkim White Water Rafting Rangit River Water Sports · 4 h · from INR 1,800 per person
• Sikkim Organic Farm and Food Tour Heritage · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
• Sikkim Teahouse Trek Temi Tea Garden Nature · 5 h · from INR 2,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & Nathula 9 h · from INR 4,000
• Gangtok City Sightseeing 6 h · from INR 1,800
• North Sikkim Lachung & Yumthang (2D extendable) 12 h · from INR 5,500

Where to stay in Gangtok

• MG Road about INR 3,000 per night

  Main shopping and dining street with hotels

• Ranipool about INR 2,000 per night

  Quiet area with guesthouses near natural attractions

Hotels

• Taj Guras Kutir Resort & Spa Gangtok 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 55,000 per night
• Amritara Luxury Villa Tosca Gangtok 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 55,000 per night
• Vivanta Sikkim Pakyong 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 28,000 per night
• Denzong Regency Boutique Resort 4-star · INR 6,000 to INR 18,000 per night
• The Z Retreat & Spa Gangtok 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 22,000 per night
• Esses House Gangtok 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 15,000 per night

Where to eat

• MG Marg Street Momos Gangtok Tibetan, Nepali, Street Food · about INR 150 per person
• Tsomgo Lake Food Stalls Gangtok Street Food, Himalayan, Traditional · about INR 200 per person
• Gangtok Momos Express Tibetan, Street Food, Nepali · about INR 150 per person
• The Chelsea Gangtok Tibetan, Sikkimese, Multi-cuisine · about INR 600 per person
• Gangtok Night Food Market MG Marg Street Food, Sikkimese, Tibetan · about INR 200 per person
• Gangtok Street Corn and Snacks Street Food, Sikkimese, Snacks · about INR 100 per person
• Gangtok Late Night Thukpa Stall Tibetan, Street Food, Noodles · about INR 200 per person
• Gangtok Night Market Restaurant Row Multi-cuisine, Street Food, Sikkimese · about INR 300 per person

Getting to Gangtok

Nearest airport: Darjeeling (IXB), about 78 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Gangtok

• Train to NJP, then road By train from New Jalpaiguri · common

  New Jalpaiguri Junction is the nearest railhead; continue to Gangtok by taxi or shared jeep. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in

• Fly to Bagdogra, then road By air from Bagdogra · common

  Bagdogra near Siliguri is the usual air entry point, followed by a road journey into Sikkim. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in

• Fly to Pakyong By air from Pakyong · possible · unconfirmed

  Pakyong airport serves Gangtok directly from the east of the city. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in

From the airport to the centre

• Shared or private taxi from Bagdogra/NJP unconfirmed

  Taxis and shared jeeps run up the hill road from Bagdogra airport and NJP station; agree the fare first. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in

Getting around

• Shared Taxi useful for some trips

  Share-jeeps, a kind of public taxi, are commonly used for longer journeys from Gangtok to other towns in Sikkim.

• Taxi main way to get around

  Taxis are the most widely available form of public transport within Gangtok.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Gangtok

• Jan 12°C
• Feb 14°C
• Mar 18°C
• Apr 20°C
• May 21°C
• Jun 22°C
• Jul 22°C
• Aug 22°C
• Sep 22°C
• Oct 20°C
• Nov 17°C
• Dec 14°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Gangtok

What are the top-rated places to visit in Gangtok?

The highest-rated places in our Gangtok guide are Yumthang Valley, Nathula Pass Indo-China Border, Tsomgo Baba Mandir Area, Ravangla Buddha Park, MG Marg.

Where should I stay in Gangtok?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Gangtok: MG Road, Ranipool.

How do I get around Gangtok?

Ways to get around Gangtok covered in our guide: Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Gangtok?

Scams reported to us for Gangtok include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Gangtok?

Average daytime highs in Gangtok run from 12°C in Jan to 22°C in Aug.