Gangtok

Aritar Lake (Lampokhari)

Lampokhari, better known as Aritar Lake, is a long, boot-shaped lake in the forested hills of East Sikkim, one of the oldest natural lakes in the state and one you can go boating on. Aritar is a quiet base for the Silk Route.

Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir

The shrine to 'Baba' Harbhajan Singh, a Punjab Regiment soldier who died near Nathu La in 1968, sits at about 13,100 ft on the Tsomgo–Nathu La road. Here is the story, the permit and how to fit it into a Gangtok day trip.

Banjhakri Falls and Energy Park

Banjhakri Falls is a 30-metre waterfall in a landscaped park on the edge of Gangtok, themed on Sikkim's forest shamans. It is an easy, family-friendly stop on a Gangtok city tour.

Hanuman Tok

Hanuman Tok is an army-run Hanuman temple on a hilltop above Gangtok, with one of the best Kanchenjunga views near the city. Here are the timings, the legend and how to fit it into a Gangtok sightseeing day.

MG Marg, Gangtok

MG Marg is Gangtok's car-free main street, a litter- and spit-free promenade lined with cafés, shops and benches. Here is what to do there, the rules, and where to eat and shop.

Nathu La Pass

Nathu La is the India–China border pass at about 14,140 ft, a day trip from Gangtok with Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. It's open to Indian nationals only, on a permit filed the day before.

Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek is Sikkim's largest monastery, the seat of the Karmapa in exile, rebuilt in the 1960s in the style of Tsurphu in Tibet. It's about an hour from Gangtok.

Tsomgo (Changu) Lake

Tsomgo Lake, also called Changu Lake, is a glacial lake at about 12,300 ft, 38 km from Gangtok. It's the easiest place near Gangtok to see snow, on a permit filed the day before.

Zuluk and the Old Silk Route

Zuluk is a tiny army-and-homestay hamlet at about 9,400 ft on the old Kalimpong–Lhasa trade route, famous for its zigzag road and Kanchenjunga sunrise at Thambi. Here is the permit, route and when to go.