Gangtok district · Theme
Family holidays in East Sikkim
Short drives, warm rooms, no surprises
Photo: Myself (Ambuj Saxena) · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
In East Sikkim, family holidays works best in Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, Ganesh Tok, Gangtok and Hanuman Tok. Routes with drives under five hours, warm rooms, and altitude added slowly. North Sikkim does not allow children under 5 in its protected areas, so we plan around that and tell you before you book.
Families travel better with fewer hotel changes and a rest day built in. We cap most drives at four or five hours and plan high sights as morning trips from a lower base.
Age rules matter here: children under 5 are not permitted in North Sikkim protected areas, and very high sights are hard on small children and older parents. Check current status before you travel.
Places
Where to go
pilgrimage site
Baba Harb…4,000M
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
The Army shrine to a soldier who died in 1968
viewpoint
Ganesh Tok1,980M
Ganesh Tok
A tiny Ganesh shrine at 1,980 m, opposite Gangtok's red pandas
town
Gangtok1,650M
Gangtok
Sikkim's capital on a ridge at 1,650 m
pilgrimage site
Hanuman T…2,200M
Hanuman Tok
An Army-kept Hanuman temple at about 2,200 m above Gangtok
garden
Ranipool …900M
Ranipool and Saramsa Garden
A river junction town and a 1922 orchid garden
monastery
Ranka and…1,420M
Ranka and Lingdum
A Zurmang Kagyu monastery in the Ranka forest, 20 km from Gangtok
lake
Tsomgo La…3,753M
Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at 3,753 m, 40 km from Gangtok
Price your own route
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Hours that fit the theme
Monasteries and shrines
Visit the shrine of Baba Harbhajan Singh
Pay respects at the Army-run shrine to Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, who died near Nathu La in 1968 at 22. See his quarters …
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 …
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, …
Wellness
A gentle high-road day for seniors
How we plan Tsomgo and Baba Mandir for older travellers and anyone worried about altitude: a later start, more stops, short visits …
Monasteries and shrines
Ganesh Tok shrine and the view over Gangtok
Climb the short steps to the tiny Ganesh shrine, stoop through its doorway to offer a prayer, then stand on the terrace …
Wildlife and birds
Red pandas at the Himalayan Zoological Park
Cross the road from Ganesh Tok into a hillside zoo of natural forest, where red pandas, Sikkim's state animal, live in large …
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 …
Adventure
Walking down from Ganesh Tok to MG Marg
After the zoo, skip the taxi and walk back down the ridge to town, passing Enchey Monastery on the way. About 5 …
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. StartStays
Where we would book
Budget
Mintokling Guest House
A long-running, family-feel guest house on Bhanu Path, just below the Secretariat road and about 10 minutes on foot from MG Marg. Quiet garden, …
Budget
Hotel Sonam Delek
A small Tibet Road hotel that has been running since the early 1990s, a 10-minute walk from MG Marg. Rooms have balconies facing the …
Value
Netuk House
A family-run heritage house on Tibet Road built in the late 1950s for Gellong Netuk Lama, a counsellor to the Chogyal. Traditional Sikkimese rooms, …
Value
The Hidden Forest Retreat
A family-run guest house in Middle Sichey, about 2 km from central Gangtok, set in roughly three acres of garden built around an orchid …
Value
Hotel Tibet
An established mid-range hotel on Paljor Stadium Road, a few minutes' walk from MG Marg, decorated in a traditional Tibetan style. Suites and deluxe …
Comfort
The Chumbi Residency
One of Gangtok's best-known mid-range hotels, open since 1997 on Tibet Road, five minutes' walk above MG Marg. Consistent service, valley and Kangchenjunga views …
Comfort
The Elgin Nor-Khill
Built in 1932 as the royal guest house of the Chogyal of Sikkim, Nor-Khill sits in its own gardens beside Paljor Stadium in central …
Premium
Mayfair Spa Resort & Casino Gangtok
A five-star resort at Lower Samdur near Ranipool, about 10 km below central Gangtok on the NH10 side, with a full spa, a casino …
Premium
Taj Guras Kutir Resort & Spa, Gangtok
IHCL's Taj resort in the Pangthang forest, about 20 minutes' drive from Gangtok, opened in September 2023. 69 rooms and villas across 14 acres, …
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. StartGet 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