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Gangtok district · Experiences

Nature in East Sikkim

Lakes, passes, valleys and viewpoints

Photo: Sagnik Pal · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nature in East Sikkim

Viewpoints at the right hour, alpine lakes and forest days, with altitude and weather taken seriously. 18 experiences below, each with its time, cost and the best hour to go.

Photographing the high road to Baba Mandir Nature

Photographing the high road to Baba Mandir

The 18 km from Tsomgo to Baba Mandir climbs through some of the most open country on the Gangtok road: switchbacks, snowfields, …

Built into the Tsomgo dayBaba Harbhajan Singh MandirIncluded in the car hire
Nature

Photographing the Chola range

The Chola range above the Silk Route offers some of the widest high-altitude views in Sikkim: bare ridges, frozen lakes, snowfields and …

Built into the visitCho LaIncluded in the trip
Ridge walk from Enchey to Ganesh Tok Nature

Ridge walk from Enchey to Ganesh Tok

Walk the upper ridge road from Enchey to Ganesh Tok, past the TV tower and through conifers, with views over the town …

2 hoursEnchey MonasteryFree; zoo entry extra
Dawn light at Enchey for photographers Nature

Dawn light at Enchey for photographers

At sunrise the golden cupola, prayer flags and pine trunks of Enchey catch low light, and the ridge is almost empty. A …

1.5 hoursEnchey Monastery≈ ₹200–300 taxi each way
Day hike through Fambong Lho forest Nature

Day hike through Fambong Lho forest

A guided day walk through Fambong Lho's layers of forest, from broadleaf trees and ferns into oak, magnolia, rhododendron and bamboo. Steady …

5–6 hoursFambong Lho Wildlife SanctuaryGuide ≈ ₹2,000–3,500; car ≈ ₹2,500–3,500
Rhododendrons and magnolias in spring Nature

Rhododendrons and magnolias in spring

A gentle spring walk in the middle forest of Fambong Lho, when magnolias and rhododendrons flower and orchids open on the tree …

4–5 hoursFambong Lho Wildlife SanctuaryGuide ≈ ₹2,000–3,000; car ≈ ₹2,500–3,500
Evening lights of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok Nature

Evening lights of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok

Watch the sun set behind the western hills and the lights of Gangtok come on along the ridge below. A gentle hour …

1 hourGanesh Tok≈ ₹500–800 a car return
Ropeway ride from Deorali to Tashiling Nature

Ropeway ride from Deorali to Tashiling

A short cable-car ride across the steep face of Gangtok, from Deorali near the Tibetology institute to Tashiling beside the Secretariat. Under …

1 hourGangtok≈ ₹110–150 return
Sunrise over Kangchenjunga from Hanuman Tok Nature

Sunrise over Kangchenjunga from Hanuman Tok

Leave Gangtok in the dark and reach Hanuman Tok as the first light hits Kangchenjunga, 8,586 m and about 60 km away …

1.5–2 hoursHanuman Tok≈ ₹600–900 a car return
Rhododendron drive through Kyongnosla Nature

Rhododendron drive through Kyongnosla

In spring, the Tsomgo road through Kyongnosla becomes one of the easiest rhododendron drives in Sikkim, with red, pink and cream blooms …

Built into the Tsomgo dayKyongnosla Alpine SanctuaryIncluded in the Tsomgo car hire
Nature

Alpine flowers of Kyongnosla in summer

From May to August, Kyongnosla's ground flora flowers: primulas, irises, aconites, potentillas, asters and ground orchids. A trip for plant lovers who …

Half day with stopsKyongnosla Alpine SanctuaryCar ≈ ₹4,500–6,500; guide ≈ ₹2,000–3,000
Snow at Nathu La in April and May Nature

Snow at Nathu La in April and May

For families travelling in the summer holidays, April and May are the best months to find snow at Nathu La while the …

Full day from GangtokNathu LaReserved SUV ≈ ₹6,500–9,000; boot hire ≈ ₹100–300
Walk the Saramsa orchid garden Nature

Walk the Saramsa orchid garden

An easy walk through the orchidarium, glasshouses and lawns of Saramsa Garden, created in its present form in 1975. Spring brings the …

1–1.5 hoursRanipool and Saramsa Garden≈ ₹10–30 entry
Kangchenjunga sunrise at Tashi View Point Nature

Kangchenjunga sunrise at Tashi View Point

Gangtok's classic dawn outing: a pre-dawn taxi up the north road, tea at the railing and the Kangchenjunga range turning pink and …

1.5–2 hoursTashi View Point≈ ₹500–800 a car return
Photographing the Kangchenjunga range Nature

Photographing the Kangchenjunga range

A photographer's morning at Tashi View Point: arrive early for blue-hour shots, frame the peaks with a telephoto as they catch the …

2 hoursTashi View Point≈ ₹500–800 a car return
Bakthang Falls and Tashi View Point by day Nature

Bakthang Falls and Tashi View Point by day

A relaxed daytime version of the north road outing: a stop at Bakthang Falls, fullest after the monsoon, then tea and valley …

1.5 hoursTashi View Point≈ ₹500–800 a car return
Lakeshore walk and a yak ride Nature

Lakeshore walk and a yak ride

A slow walk along the Tsomgo shore at 3,753 m, past the small Shiva temple and the prayer flags, with an optional …

1–1.5 hours at the lakeTsomgo LakeYak ride ≈ ₹300–600
Tsomgo frozen, January to March Nature

Tsomgo frozen, January to March

In winter Tsomgo usually freezes and the basin fills with snow. For many families from the plains it is their first proper …

Full day from GangtokTsomgo LakeCar ≈ ₹4,500–6,500; boot and coat hire ≈ ₹100–300

Other kinds of experience in East Sikkim

CultureMonasteries and shrinesWildlife and birdsFoodAdventureCraftVillage lifeAll experiencesThe East Sikkim guide

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