Gangtok district · Experiences
Culture in East Sikkim
Palaces, institutes, bazaars and the people who keep them
Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Walks through Sikkim's history with people who live it: the Chogyal era, the old trade towns and the communities behind each valley. 13 experiences below, each with its time, cost and the best hour to go.
Culture
The old Baba Mandir bunker on the Silk Route
On the Old Silk Route side, beyond the new shrine, stands the original Baba Mandir, built at Harbhajan Singh's bunker. It is …
Culture
Escorted visit to the Cho La battlefield
Drive up from your Silk Route homestay with an escort from Kupup to Cho La at about 4,593 m, the site of …
Culture
Watching the Detor Chaam at Enchey
Each winter Enchey's monks perform the Detor Chaam, two days of masked dances in the courtyard before the Tibetan new year. Gangtok …
Culture
Namgyal Institute and Do Drul Chorten
A morning at Deorali seeing the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, opened by Nehru in 1958, and the white Do Drul Chorten above …
Culture
Gangtok's three-point morning by taxi
The classic early taxi round of Tashi View Point, Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok, three hill-top viewpoints around Gangtok, with a stop …
Culture
Sherathang and the reopened trade route
A short roadside stop at Sherathang, the Indian trade mart below Nathu La that opened when border trade resumed in July 2006 …
Culture
The Ipecac Garden's story, told on site
Walk Saramsa with its history in mind: a 1922 Forest Department orchard that grew pineapples, guavas, oranges and lychees for the British …
Culture
Sikkim Science Centre at Ranipool
A hands-on science centre at Ranipool, 12 km below Gangtok, with interactive exhibits and shows for children. A useful indoor option for …
Culture
Banjhakri Falls and the forest shaman
Walk the paths of Banjhakri Falls and Energy Park, a landscaped park around a 30 m waterfall that tells the story of …
Culture
Lingdum and Rumtek in one half day
Cross the valley from Gangtok for Sikkim's two great Kagyu monasteries in one trip: Rumtek, seat of the Karma Kagyu in exile, …
Culture
Old Rumtek, the quieter monastery below
A short stop at the smaller Old Rumtek Monastery, about 2 km below the main complex. Brightly painted, seldom crowded and home …
Culture
Gutor chaam before Losar at Rumtek
Watch Rumtek's monks perform the Gutor chaam, the masked dance that closes a week of Mahakala rites just before Losar, the Tibetan …
Culture
Tashi View Point and Kabi Lungchok half day
Combine the Kangchenjunga view with a drive 9 km further up the North Sikkim Highway to Kabi Lungchok, where Sikkimese tradition places …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartOther kinds of experience in East Sikkim
Get my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
- No payment to start
- Permits handled through registered partners
- Every hotel, car and fee listed