Hanuman Tok is a Hindu temple to Hanuman on the upper ridge above Gangtok, at about 2,200 m and roughly 9–11 km by road from MG Marg. Built in 1950 and maintained by the Indian Army, it is the highest of the town's three viewpoints, with the Kangchenjunga range in view on clear mornings. No permit needed.
Hanuman Tok stands on the highest point of the ridge that rises behind Gangtok, above Ganesh Tok and the Himalayan Zoological Park, off the road towards Tsomgo and Nathu La. A taxi from MG Marg takes 25–35 minutes. 'Tok', as in Gangtok, is usually glossed as hill top. The site is quiet, clean and well kept, because it is looked after by the Indian Army, whose units are stationed on this part of the ridge.
Wikipedia records that the temple was built over a sacred stone in 1950 by Appaji Pant, an Indian official, and that the Army later acquired the land around it and took over its care. Hindu devotion here, as told locally and noted on Wikipedia, rests on the belief that Hanuman rested on this spot while flying with the mountain of healing herbs to save Lakshmana in the Ramayana.
For most travellers Hanuman Tok is part of the Gangtok 'points' tour, often with Ganesh Tok and Tashi View Point. Come early: from October to March the Kangchenjunga range can stand clear above the clouds until mid-morning. There are steps up to the temple; take them slowly at 2,200 m. Photography of Army installations nearby is not allowed.
Highlights
What to see and do
The temple and the sacred stone
A small, bright temple to Hanuman stands at the top of the steps, built in 1950 over a stone that local devotees already worshipped. Remove shoes before the shrine. Tuesdays and Saturdays, traditional days for Hanuman worship, bring more local devotees and soldiers.
Kangchenjunga from 2,200 m
From the terrace, on clear mornings between October and March, the Kangchenjunga range spreads across the north-west horizon. It is the highest viewpoint in Gangtok town, so it often sits above morning haze that hides the peaks from MG Marg.
A view down over Gangtok
Hanuman Tok looks down on the whole sweep of Gangtok along its ridge, with Rumtek on the far side of the valley. At dusk, the town lights come on below while the sky over the peaks turns orange. Gates may close around sunset; check before planning an evening visit.
Army-kept and tidy
Because the Indian Army maintains the temple, the grounds are clean, rules are clear and the atmosphere is calm. Follow the signs on photography: shooting the temple and the view is fine, but not soldiers, vehicles or nearby installations.
Part of the three-point tour
Gangtok taxi drivers sell a 'three-point' tour of Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok, about 2.5–3 hours by small car. Start at Tashi View Point at sunrise, then Hanuman Tok, then Ganesh Tok and the zoo on the way down.
The story of Hanuman Tok
Hanuman's rest and the 1950 temple
The Ramayana tells how Lakshmana, brother of Rama, lay wounded in battle, and how Hanuman flew north to fetch the life-saving herb sanjeevani from a mountain in the Himalaya, carrying back the whole mountain when he could not find the plant. Several hill shrines across India and Nepal claim a link to that journey. Hanuman Tok is Gangtok's: according to the local tradition recorded on Wikipedia, Hanuman paused to rest at this spot on the ridge on his way, and a stone here was venerated long before any temple. In 1950, Wikipedia says, Appaji Pant, an Indian official then serving in Sikkim, built a temple over the stone. The land around it later passed to the Indian Army, which inherited the temple with it and has cared for it ever since. The result is a small piece of Gangtok's mixed religious life: a Hindu temple, kept by soldiers from across India, on a ridge in a Buddhist kingdom that became an Indian state in 1975, looking out at a mountain that Sikkim's Buddhists honour as a guardian deity.
Source: Wikipedia: Hanuman Tok; the Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda)
Little known
Things most visitors never hear
The temple was built in 1950 by Appaji Pant, an Indian official, over a stone already held sacred; the Indian Army later took over the land and the temple's care.
Source: Wikipedia: Hanuman Tok
At about 2,200 m, Hanuman Tok is roughly 550 m higher than MG Marg and higher than both Ganesh Tok (about 1,980 m) and Tashi View Point (about 1,890 m).
Source: OpenStreetMap; SRTM elevation data
Ganesh Tok, the Himalayan Zoological Park and Hanuman Tok all lie along NH310, the Gangtok–Nathu La road, within about 1 km of each other as the crow flies.
There is no regular shared transport to Hanuman Tok. A reserved local taxi from MG Marg costs about ₹600–900 return with 30–45 minutes of waiting, or about ₹1,200–1,800 for the three-point tour with Tashi View Point and Ganesh Tok. Agree the price before setting off.
On foot
Fit walkers can go up from Ganesh Tok on the ridge road in about an hour, a climb of roughly 220 m. It is a public road used by army vehicles, with little pavement, so walk in daylight on the side of the road and take a taxi back.
From Bagdogra / NJP
Reach Gangtok first, about 125 km and 4.5–5 hours from Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP on NH10, which closes after monsoon slides; the alternative is via Kalimpong or Algarah. Visit Hanuman Tok early on your first full morning. Check current status before you travel.
Permits in East Sikkim
Indian travellers need no permit for Gangtok, Rumtek, Lingdum, Martam or Sang. Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir need a protected-area permit through a registered agent, usually filed the day before with ID and photos. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only, about ₹200 per person, usually Wednesday to Sunday. Cho La opened to domestic tourists in September 2025 on limited, escorted trips. Foreigners need the Sikkim restricted area permit, applied online on the e-FRRO portal, and may visit Tsomgo on a one-day pass in a group of two or more. Sikkim also charges a ₹50 tourist fee at hotels. Check current status before you travel.
There are no hotels at Hanuman Tok; it is a short trip from Gangtok. For the earliest starts, stay in the upper town around Enchey, Chandmari or Tibet Road, 20–30 minutes away. On a budget, Mintokling Guest House and Hotel Sonam Delek near MG Marg are dependable. For value, try Netuk House or Hotel Tibet. The Chumbi Residency is a comfortable mid-range choice, and Mayfair and Taj Guras Kutir are the top end. Any hotel desk can book the dawn taxi the evening before.
About 9–11 km by road, 25–35 minutes in a taxi, up the ridge road towards Tsomgo and Nathu La and then a short branch. There is no shared transport. A reserved taxi costs about ₹600–900 return with waiting, or it can be included in the three-point tour.
What is the altitude of Hanuman Tok?
About 2,200 m, roughly 550 m higher than MG Marg. It is the highest of Gangtok's well-known viewpoints, above Ganesh Tok at about 1,980 m and Tashi View Point at about 1,890 m. Most visitors feel only mild breathlessness on the steps.
Who built Hanuman Tok?
According to Wikipedia, the temple was built in 1950 by Appaji Pant, an Indian official, over a stone already considered sacred. The Indian Army later acquired the surrounding land and has maintained the temple since. Local tradition holds that Hanuman rested here on his journey with the sanjeevani herb.
Can we see Kangchenjunga from Hanuman Tok?
Yes, on clear days, especially mornings from mid-October to February. The range lies to the north-west and is often visible above the valley cloud. From June to September monsoon cloud usually hides it. Go before 9 am for the best chance.
Is photography allowed at Hanuman Tok?
You may photograph the temple exterior and the view. Do not photograph soldiers, army vehicles or installations on the ridge, and ask before photographing the inner shrine. The area is maintained by the Indian Army, so follow any signs or instructions from staff at once.
Is Hanuman Tok open every day?
It is generally open daily from early morning to around sunset. Army arrangements, VIP visits or weather can occasionally change access. Tuesdays and Saturdays are busier with devotees. Check current status before you travel, especially if you plan a sunrise or evening visit.
Is there food or a toilet at Hanuman Tok?
Facilities are limited. There may be a small stall or water point, and toilets near the parking area, but do not count on a meal. Eat breakfast before or after in Gangtok. Carry water and a snack for children. MG Marg is 30 minutes away.
How long does a visit to Hanuman Tok take?
About 45 minutes to an hour, including the steps, the shrine and time on the terrace. As part of the three-point tour with Tashi View Point and Ganesh Tok, allow about three hours. Add an hour or more if you also visit the Himalayan Zoological Park.
Is Hanuman Tok inside a restricted area?
No permit is needed for Hanuman Tok. It lies on the Gangtok side of the ridge road, below the Tsomgo check post, so Indian and foreign visitors with valid Sikkim entry can go. Foreigners need the Sikkim restricted area permit to enter the state. Check current status before you travel.
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