If you’re staying in Gangtok you can easily take a day trip to explore East Sikkim tourist places that includes Nathu La Pass, Changu Lake, and Baba Mandir. All you need is to book a local taxi that you will find around MG Marg in Gangtok.
East Sikkim Permit
Most local taxis offer day trip services and some can also assist you to go to North Sikkim. But the first thing your local taxi driver will ask from you is a photocopy of your identity proof and two passport-sized photos.
They then need to take permit to confirm if the route to Nathu La Pass is open. Upon confirmation you can set out the following day. These areas are often closed during heavy snow, so summertime and autumn are perfect for visit. To ease out this process I am adding details of the driver who took us to East Sikkim at the end of the blog.
Preparation to travel to East Sikkim
Nathula Pass is 14,140 feet above sea level and there are chances to feel breathless. It can also be extremely cold if you’ve not experienced such high altitude.
We were geared up with an oxygen cylinder but luckily, we did not have to use it. We were also layered up with jackets from Decathlon to bear the cold.
Every part of our bodies was covered, except our faces. So, your checklist has got to include:
- layered clothing
- gloves to cover your hands
- jackets to protect from wind and cold
- socks and heavy-duty boots or sneakers
On the way you’ll find people selling chocolates, popcorn and camphor. Eating chocolate and popcorn supply oxygen to muscles, which is necessary during high altitude trips.
Smelling camphor helps is nasal decongestion and keeping it with you can help at a time when anyone feels breathless. However, it is recommended to not overdo smelling camphor as that too can bring side effects.
Here how you can explore East Sikkim tourist places
The East Sikkim tourist places list includes Nathula Pass, located at the highest peak and then Baba Mandir. These are the two prime spots with Changu Lake that you cross while ascending, so it is best to stop by while returning.
On the way
Your driver will pick you up around 8 to 9 am because it is best to set out early and come back post lunch time. The first thing you’d find on the way is women selling popcorn, chocolate and camphor to ensure you have the essentials to keep your oxygen flowing.
Tashi View Point
The first stop is Tashi View Point from where you can see the Kanchenjunga amidst the Himalayan range. We found it covered with fog and had no luck. That’s also the reason why it is best to visit during summer months between March and May, and autumn months of September and October.
Here we found a street vendor selling hot beverages, sunglasses, shawls, gloves, and more. We had a cup of coffee and tea each, and my partner bought a pair of sunglasses for Rs. 100 only.
Breakfast
We found more spots on the way where you would want to stop by and click pictures. But since it was all covered in fog, we headed right to have breakfast.
Our driver knew a shop where we could stop for Maggi, tea, and order food for lunch. Interestingly, it had a flight of stairs downwards that I used to avail washroom facilities, but to my surprise it had the most beautiful view.
For a minute I was happy to get the nature’s call to literally experience folds of mountains and water stream going by.
We filled up on momo and Maggi, and began our journey towards Nathula Pass.
Nathu La Pass
After going up about 13,000 feet above sea level, our drivers escort us to the next vehicle that takes us to the sensitive area. Yes! The local drivers are allowed till a certain extent but the route after that is carried out under complete supervision.
We didn’t have to do anything because these are settle among the authorities and the local drivers. We changed the jeep and were taken to Nathula Pass. This is one of the Indo-China border area where photography is not allowed.
It has statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj amidst black and brown mountains. Once we walk down after seeing the border area, there is a tent where we can buy food. Army personnels arrange this for us to acclimatize and rest because it is quite uncommon for tourists to be at such a high elevation.
Baba Mandir
Our next stop is at a descent of 1,3123 feet above sea level and this place was established in honor of Baba Harbhajan Singh. The Honorary Captain served the Indian Army between 1965 and 1968, and martyred soon after.
Even after his death, he kept coming into the dreams of soldiers to tell them about enemy attackers. Many times, army people felt like someone slapped them when they started sleeping on duty. Such incidents made people around realize that the soul of the man was still protecting the place and made a shrine in his honor.
Tsomgo Lake
You can’t miss Changu Lake also called Tsomgo Lake amidst the other East Sikkim tourist places because it falls on the way. You can either enjoy the view while going up or while returning.
We were lucky to experience snowfall for the first time and also see yak. But as soon as the area started getting covered in snow, our driver asked us to begin our return trip.
Lunch
We stopped to have fried rice, omelet, and tasted one of the best salads ever. We had already preordered for lunch and once we were done it was time to go back home.
Listen to your driver
Our driver saved us because if we hadn’t left the place when he told us to, our car could have skid and we could have been in an accident. There were videos circulating right after we reached Gangtok that showed how some people got stuck.
East Sikkim tourist places aren’t accessible without the help of local drivers and guides. So, it is always best to listen to what they tell us as they’re trying to keep us all safe.
East Sikkim driver contact number
If you want to travel to Gangtok, you can contact Lakpa Chiring Bhutia at +919635748842
He was our guide to East Sikkim, while his brother took across Rumtek and Gangtok. He can also assist you to travel to North Sikkim.
I share these numbers because I want you to have a point of contact who can help you and so that these people get some business too.
I don’t do this for a financial interest but if you hire their services do tell them I said, “hi!”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is East Sikkim famous?
East Sikkim is famous for Nathu La Pass (Indo-China border) and Baba Mandir. These two places amidst snow-capped mountains that takes you 14,140 feet above sea level are attractions you don’t want to miss.
2. How many places are there in East Sikkim?
East Sikkim tourist places are primarily three and includes Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La Pass, and Baba Mandir.
3. When to visit East Sikkim?
It is best to visit East Sikkim during summer months between March and May, and then again during September and October.
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