Night stay: Gangtok
Day inclusion: Breakfast
Hotel: innore (★★★) or similar
Start for a Full day city tour covering
Tashi view point ( This famous tourist point is located at a distance of 8 km from the town and is mostly known for offering some of the best sunrise and sunset views. One can witness the changing of colours of the Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu Peaks as the sun slowly moves from this view point along with the glimpse famous monasteries of Gangtok, Phodong and Labrang.
From this point you can get an amazing view of the hills and valleys and also a grand sight of Mount Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu. You can also get binoculars and look for Phodong and Labrang Monasteries as well as discover rare birds. Tashi point also has cafeteria where you can eat snacks and drink warm tea while at looking the beautiful view.)
Ganesh Tok ( Located at a distance of 6 km from Gangtok, near to the Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok View Point is one of the most popular attractions of Gangtok. The view point is set at a height of 6500 m and offers spectacular sights of the snow capped peaks. There is a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha at the view point. However, the temple is so small that it can accommodate just one person at a time.
The view point is the perfect getaway, which leaves you mesmerized by its scenic beauty. It is the perfect place if you wish to refresh and rejuvenate yourself. The place takes you closer to nature with its beautiful surroundings and pleasant ambience.
Ganesh Tok View Point offers a bird-eye’s view of the entire Gangtok from the top. The best time to visit the attraction is early in the morning when it is enveloped with clouds.
There are gift and souvenir shops at the location. Also, there are eateries from where you can enjoy lip smacking snacks.)
The Ridge &Flower show ( The Ridge is a flat wonderful stretch of road just above the Gangtok Town. It would be about 20 minutes walk from MG Marg main market. The Ridge is flanked on one side by the White Hall as well as the Chief Minister's Residence, and on the other side by a wonderful gate with pagoda like top.
The White Hall is a two storey building of British architecture built in 1932 in memory of the first British Political Officer Sir James Claude White. It once used to be a venue of important functions, but today it lies more as a historical building with not much activities.
The Ridge Park runs along The Ridge road and is full of flowering plants and shrubs. There is a traditional Sikkimeses style Gazebo here where visitors can rest and soak in the ambience around. There are benches as well in the park.
At one end and below the Ridge Park is the Flower Exhibition Center which holds the annual Orchid show. Inside the area is not very large but it has amazing collections of flowers of many different types, If you are a flower lover, then this is the place for you. But the best time is between March to June when the Orchids are in full bloom and put on display.)
Cottage Industry and Handicraft Centre ( Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms is the recent name given to the old Handloom and Handicrafts Centre of Sikkim. Located at a distance of half kilometer from the main market of Gangtok, the centre is also known as the Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI). Here, you can see hand-woven carpets with traditional motifs, blankets, shawls (in Lepcha weaves), 'thangka' paintings, graceful 'Choktse' (hand carved foldable tables), hand-painted masks, dolls and many other objects. Established in 1957, the Directorate has an emporium from where you can buy every kind of handicraft at nominal price.
Apart from the above mentioned items, you can spot lovely dolls in wood, dappled appliqué work, batiks, lamp-stands, shade, bamboo-craft, sporadic silks, rich brocade and embroidered boots. Sikkimese Carpets get the main attention as the quality of these class carpets has made them popular not only in India, but in the whole world. Besides carpets, the exclusive hand made paper is another specialty of the Institute. This paper is made from the bark of Algeri tree.)
Institute of Tibetology ( Since its establishment in 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has sponsored and promoted research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The museum, located on the ground floor of the institute, contains a rare collection of statues, ritual objects, traditional art objects, thangkas (painted, woven and embroidered scrolls) and ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese and Lepcha. The exhibition is dominated by a majestic silver image of Manjushri – the Bodisattva of knowledge – that was brought from Tibet.
Among the manuscripts are: the Prajna Paramita and Astasahastra written in Tibetan golden script; an 11th century palm leaf manuscript of the Saratama Prajnaparamita by Ratnakara Shanti; and a 12th century Chinese manuscript of the Prajana Paramita Sutra that was brought from South Korea.
A casket containing the relics of two great Asokan missionaries, Madhyama and Kasyapagotra is one of the precious assets of the museum. Five sandalwood images representing Padmasambhava, the three founding lamas of Sikkim and the first King Phuntsok Namgyal constitute an example of Sikkimese art. New objects of traditional art are constantly added to the collection.)
Dro-dul Chorten ( Dro-dul Chorten is a stupa in Gangtok in the Indian state of Sikkim. The stupa was built by Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa, a complete set of Dorjee Phurba, Kangyur relics (Holy Books) and other religious objects. Around the stupa are 108 Mani Lhakor or prayer wheels. The stupa is surrounded by Chorten Lakahang and Guru Lakhang, where two statues of Guru Rinpoche are present).
Enchey Monastery ( The Enchey Monastery was established in 1909 above Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim in the Northeastern Indian state. It belongs to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. The monastery built around the then small hamlet of Gangtok became a religious centre. The location was blessed by Lama Drupthob Karpo, a renowned exponent of tantric (adept) art in Buddhism with flying powers; initially a small Gompa was established by him after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim to this site. The literal meaning of Enchey Monastery is the "Solitary Monastery". Its sacredness is attributed to the belief that Khangchendzonga and Yabdean – the protecting deities – reside in this monastery. As, according to a legend, Guru Padmasambhava had subdued the spirits of the Khangchendzonga, Yabdean and MahÄkÄla here. In view of this legend, the religious significance of Enchey Monastery is deeply ingrained in every household in Gangtok. It is also believed that these powerful deities always fulfil the wishes of the devotees)
Bakthang Falls ( The Bakthang waterfall is only 20 minutes drive from Gangtok town to a place called Swastik, adjacent to the army cantonment area. A serene waterfalls cascades down the rock forming a small pool down below. It is located along the 31A National Highway connecting to North Sikkim. In local language ‘Bak’ means a forest and ‘thang’ meaning meadow or place. The natural spring water source of this falls originates from the dense vegetation above this site which is preserved as a Smriti Ban by the Forest Department. This site is little away from the crowded market place and hidden from the urban sprawl. A offbeat place to relax and be completely free from pollution, noise and dust and much loved by many of the domestic visitors. The place also offers a cafeteria for tea and snacks and local photography services to take pictures with local costumes and dresses for visitors. Some of the adventure enthusiasts can also try rappelling down the cliff on a prefixed rope which is organized by the local tourism committee of the area. The local taxis conducting daily siteseeing tours of Gangtok include this spot as one of the points of interest to visitors.) (maximum 6 hours). Overnight stay at Gangtok.
