Gangtok
~1,650m · the capital of Sikkim, and the base for most of the state's permit-controlled north.
A capital that's easy to like immediately.
Gangtok is compact, clean, and genuinely pleasant to walk — MG Marg, the pedestrian-only main street, is where most evenings end up, lined with cafes and shops. It's also the practical hub for the rest of Sikkim: permits for the north are arranged here, and it's the standard base for the Tsomgo Lake and Nathula day trip.
Rumtek Monastery, a short drive out of town, is Sikkim's largest and one of Tibetan Buddhism's most significant monasteries outside Tibet itself.
A monastery, a lake, and two viewpoints.
- 01Rumtek MonasteryThe largest monastery in Sikkim, seat-in-exile of the Karmapa lineage.
- 02Tsomgo (Changu) LakeA glacial lake roughly 40km out, a standard day trip combined with Nathula.
- 03Ganesh Tok & Hanuman TokTwo hilltop viewpoints on the edge of town, easy half-day stops.
- 04Namgyal Institute of TibetologyA research institute and museum on Tibetan Buddhist culture and manuscripts.
Best time & getting here.
Best Time to Visit
March–June and October–December for clear skies.
Getting Here
Nearest airport Pakyong, close to Gangtok. By road, roughly 4–5 hours from Bagdogra/Siliguri in West Bengal.
Activities
Monastery visits, cable car rides, shopping on MG Marg, day trips to Tsomgo Lake and Nathula.
Good To Know
Gangtok is the place to sort permits for anywhere further north — we handle this before you arrive wherever possible.