Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim which is one of the cleanest and greenest parts of India. What was once an independent country, united with India in 1975. A 2 day Gangtok Sikkim tour will be enough for you to explore the capital city. If you don’t want to book a Gangtok tour package, here is a detailed itinerary on how you can explore it by yourself.
2 Day Gangtok Sikkim Tour
You will need you to book a local taxi because all the places to see cannot be covered on foot. Taxis are the only mode of transportation and are locally available at all times.
Day 1
Banjhakri Falls
Your first day out of the 2 day Gangtok Sikkim tour starts by taking a ride to Banjhakri Falls & Energy Park. It is recreation park set around a mysterious waterfall. The entry fee is 50 rupees per person. You will want to spend at least 1 to 2 hours exploring the recreational park, trying the fun activities, clicking photographs in Sikkimese clothes, and having a meal before your next stop.
Rumtek Monastery
Then you come to Rumtek Monastery, which is also the largest monastery in Sikkim. It was established like a replica of the Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet and is one of the finest specimen of Tibetan architecture that you can find in Sikkim. The Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is a place for education for young monks. You might find them playing around, happy in each other’s company.
Lunch
As you climb down from the Rumtek Monastery you will find a line of restaurants ready to serve you a warm plate of momo and fried rice. You can also try Tibetan tea if you like hot beverages without sugar.
Ranka Monastery
14 kms away from Rumtek Monastery lies another beautiful monastery called the Ranka Monastery. Be ready to climb lots of stairs that leads you to a big courtyard and then a few steps more to explore intricate artwork present across wall hangings, paintings, and sculptures.
MG Marg
End your day by going back to Gangtok and spend ample time at MG Marg. This is your time to shop for souvenirs, explore the nightlife of Gangtok, and also have a Tibetan dinner. We went to The Lazy Chef and Bar kitchen and it had the most incredible starters with a special pink mayonnaise that is exclusively available here.
Day 2
Start your day early because there is simply too much to see. This is your 2 day Gangtok Sikkim tour where you explore the capital city of Sikkim. You will have to book another cab for the entire day and start off early around 8 am to 9 am to cover all the places listed here.
Do Drul Chen stupa and Tibetology Museum
The first stop would be Do Drul Chorten Stupa that was built in 1945. You will have to park your car as there is an inclination that you have to cover by foot to reach the religious shrine.
There is a tiny eating joint where you can have breakfast once you climb down and before entering the Tibetology Museum located right beside. The museum has idols, manuscripts, and specimens that tell us the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Photography is not allowed inside and there is CCTV surveillance with strict penalties.
Flower Show Gangtok
Your next stop would be a green exhibit known as the Flower Show Gangtok. This place is full of exotic flora you haven’t seen before. These include colorful orchids, rhododendrons, tulips, poppies, lilies, and much more.
Enchey Monastery
Next, it is time to see another monastery called the Enchey Monastery here in Gangtok. It homes a large prayer wheel and is set inside a big courtyard believed to have energies that protect the area around. The interiors were the most exquisite of all monasteries I’ve seen in Gangtok. You have to be here to believe the colorful blends across the walls and ceilings.
Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok
To grab one of the most breathtaking views of the Himalayas, you need to walk up the stairs of Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok. Experience the beauty ideally seen during the springtime between March and May. We came and February and the skies weren’t clear enough, but we did explore the temples adjoining each other. There are also eateries between these places to have lunch and unwind. All food available around here are purely vegetarian.
Gonjang Monastery
Gonjang Monastery is another holy place in Sikkim with one of the tallest Buddha statues you can find. This place is also an amazing view point but it was raining when we were here and all we found was fog.
Bakthang waterfall
Lastly, you must visit the tranquil Bakthang Falls. The 50 feet tall streams cascades through rocks and is quite an interesting site to see from a bridge that lets you go close to it. This is the perfect spot to click photographs.
MG Marg
You again come back to MG Marg for dinner before ending Gangtok Sikkim tour. We went to Taste of Tibet to try Sha phaley, Momos, and Hakka Noodles. This is one of the oldest and best places to eat in Gangtok.
Final thoughts
So, this was the end of our trip to Gangtok and a complete guide on how you can visit the place too. While we did add a third day that included Changu Lake, Nathula Pass, and Baba Mandir that isn’t a part of Gangtok so I didn’t add it in this blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many days required to visit Gangtok?
One day is enough to cover the main sites to see in Gangtok including, Do Drul Chen, Tibetology Museum, Flower Show, Enchey Monastery, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Gonjang Monastery, and Bakthang Falls.
2. Which is the best time to visit Gangtok?
During spring between March to May and during autumn between September and November are the best months to visit Sikkim. While you can visit during other months as well, you might experience rain and fog blurring the Himalayas out of sight.
3. How many days are enough for Gangtok?
For only Gangtok, one day is enough. But to cover adjoining areas you should at least be here for 2-3 days. You will be able to experience East Sikkim and Rumtek during this time.
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