Tour to Gangtok

The city of Gangtok is a land of mystery-laden mists in the breeze; the land of Lamas mumbling invocations to God. An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has crossed the border. While across the hills and valleys comes the sounding of the long trumpets by robed lamas.

Prime Attractions of Gangtok:

Deer Park The park has a big open enclosure in which animals native to Sikkim like the red panda and the Himalayan Bear are kept. A big statue of Lord Buddha commemorating his preachings of the noble truths in the Deer Park at Sarnath adorns the park premises.

Dul-Dul Chorten Duddul Chortenat Dotapu Chorten, Gangtok was built under the supervision of the late Most Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche after due preparations in 1945-46, in accordance with the prophecy made in 1944 by the Holiness the Dud-Zom Rinpoche.

Government Institute Of Cottage Industries This institute was established with the purpose of promoting the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts. More than hundred student workers produce cottage crafts here.

Kabi Longstok This is situated at a distance of 25-km from Gangtok, just before Phodong is Kabi Longstok. There is a spot amidst tall trees, where the treaty of brotherhood between, the Lepcha Chieftan - Tetong Tek and the Tibetan chief Khye Bhumsa was signed.

Kangchendzonga National Park Crossing a check gate where visitors entry permits was checked, one enters the Kangchendzonga National Park. The jagged, rocky slopes to our left glistened in the sunlight at places forming glaciers where the gradient was right.

Kechopari Lake It is a clear water Lake with a name meaning - wishing lake. All around are mountains with dense forests and wild life. It is so placid, crystal clear that not a leaf can be seen floating over it, because it is immediately lifted by birds.

Labrang Monastery Labrang monastery was built about 100 years ago. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Its name translates simply as the dwelling place of the Lamas (monks).

Lachung The road from Chungthang toward Lachung takes one into another world. This is the area inhabited by the Lachungpas, a hardy mountain people who consider themselves quite different from the Bhutias and the Tibetans. In the distance, one could see the impressions of a track that was once used by traders to cross over from Tibet with their mules laden with Chinese silk.

Pemayangtse Monastery Around 6-km from Gyalsing town, this monastery originally built as a small temple in the last of 17th century by Latsun Chempo, later rebuilt the temple structure into a monastery.

Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs Around 25-km from Gyalsing, near Reshi, after crossing Rangeet River (also spelt as Ranjit) by a pedestrian bridge, hardly ten minutes from the highway is Phurchachu springs with medicinal properties, ideal for skim diseases. These springs are considered holy as one of the four holy caves is located here.

Research Institute of Tibetology In the serene surrounding amidst forest of oak, ash and birch is an organisation to advance the Tibetan language and its literature on the "Enlightened one", the only one of its kind in the world of Mahayana Buddhism. Ornate woodcarvings and murals decorate the lavishly decorated interior.

Rumtek Monastery A 24-km drive from Gangtok, through the beautiful, bewitching countryside leads one to Rumtek. Rumtek, is the seat of the Karmapa Lama who heads the Kagyupa Sect of Buddhism.

Tasuklakhang - The Royal Chapel The Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang, is within the palace grounds. Popularly called Tsulakhang Royal. It is the principal place of worship and assembly and the repository of a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures.

The Ridge The ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road above the town of Gangtok. It is just about five minutes walk from the main market. The ridge has the white hall and the chief minister's official residence on one end and the beautifully designed palace gate on the other. The ridge is lined with plants and trees when in bloom are a riot of colours.

Other places to visit:

• Tsomgo Lake
• White Hall
• Yaksey

Excursions around Gangtok

Changu Lake:With an average depth of 50 ft, this lake is situated 35 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 12,000 ft on the Gangtok - Nathu-la highway. A small temple of Lord Shiva is constructed on the lakeside. The department of Tourism conducts package tours to this lake. Cameras are not allowed to carry on this route.

Chungthang: Chungthang is a small habitation in a cup like valley, surrounded on all sides by towering hills. Though its altitude is only 500 ft, it is much colder than Mangam. The main importance of this place is that it is at the confluence of two valleys and two main rivers of north Sikkim: the Lachung Cho and the Lachen Cho, the latter commonly known as the Teesta. The Sikkimese believe that guru Padmasabhava had rested in this place and left three footprints for his devotees on a solid piece of rock.

Ganesh Tok: It is situated on a ridge and is only 7-km from Gangtok. From this spot one gets birds view of sprawling Gangtok town down below while across the hills Mt. Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon. A cafeteria serves hot tea/coffee and snacks.

Hanuman Tok: It is 11-km from Gangtok town, above Ganesh Tok with a Hindu temple where the devotees come and offer prayers.

Kabi Longstok: 25-km from Gangtok, just before Phodong is Kabi Longstok. There is a spot amidst tall trees, where the treaty of brotherhood between, the Lepcha Chieftan - Tetong Tek and the Tibetan chief Khye Bhumsa was signed.

Other places for excursion are:

• The Ipecac Garden
• Yumthang
• Yumthang Hot Springs
• Phoodong Monastery
• Kabi Longtsok
• Menmecho Lake

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