Nature · Tashi View Point
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 views at Tashi View Point. Good for families who cannot face a dawn start.
Photo: Pinakpani · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Not everyone wants a 5 am alarm. A mid-morning drive up the North Sikkim Highway still makes a pleasant hour and a half. The first stop is Bakthang Falls, a waterfall by the road a few kilometres out of town. It is fullest from July to October, when a white curtain of water drops down the rock face; in the dry months it is a thinner stream.
Continue to Tashi View Point for tea at the stalls and the view over the deep valleys to the north. By mid-morning the high peaks are often in cloud, so think of this as a valley view with a chance of the mountains rather than a guaranteed panorama.
Keep children back from the road edge at both stops, as traffic to North Sikkim is steady. In heavy rain, waterfalls can bring down stones, so admire them from a distance. Add Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok on the way back if you have time.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Where is Bakthang Falls?
Bakthang Falls is a roadside waterfall on the North Sikkim Highway between central Gangtok and Tashi View Point, a short drive from town. Most taxis stop for a few minutes on the three-point tour or the way north. It is fullest from July to October.
Is Tashi View Point worth visiting in the afternoon?
It is pleasant for tea and valley views, but the high peaks are usually in cloud by afternoon, especially from March onwards. If seeing Kangchenjunga matters, go at sunrise. An afternoon visit fits best as part of a drive north or a relaxed family outing.
Is Bakthang Falls safe for children?
Yes, from the viewing area by the road, with an adult holding small children's hands. Do not climb on wet rocks, and keep away from the base of the falls after heavy rain, when stones can fall. Watch for traffic when stepping out of the car.
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