Gangtok district · Theme
Photography in East Sikkim
Kangchenjunga at first light
Photo: Anjan Kumar Kundu · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
In East Sikkim, photography works best in Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point and Tsomgo Lake. Sunrise on Kangchenjunga from Pelling or Tashi View Point, the Zuluk loops at dawn, prayer flags at Tsomgo, Rumtek's courtyard in morning light. We plan for the hours that matter and the weather windows that open them.
The mountain shows itself most reliably from October to December and on clear spring mornings. Afternoons cloud over in most seasons, so photography trips start early and rest in the middle of the day.
Drones need permission and are banned near border areas, monasteries and military sites. Ask before photographing people and inside prayer halls.
Places
Where to go
viewpoint
Ganesh Tok1,980M
Ganesh Tok
A tiny Ganesh shrine at 1,980 m, opposite Gangtok's red pandas
pilgrimage site
Hanuman T…2,200M
Hanuman Tok
An Army-kept Hanuman temple at about 2,200 m above Gangtok
viewpoint
Tashi Vie…1,890M
Tashi View Point
Gangtok's sunrise point for Kangchenjunga, 8 km up the north road
lake
Tsomgo La…3,753M
Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at 3,753 m, 40 km from Gangtok
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Hours that fit the theme
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 …
Monasteries and shrines
A quiet visit to the Hanuman Tok temple
Climb the steps to the small Hanuman temple built in 1950 over a sacred stone and kept by the Indian Army. A …
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 …
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 …
Wellness
Hanuman Tok at an easy pace for seniors
How older travellers can enjoy Hanuman Tok without strain: a later start when the air is warmer, slow steps with rests, and …
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.
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