GUIDE TO GANGTOK

THE TOWN: Gangtok is a bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The name Gangtok is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside,' and the city currently has a population of around 80,000 - a mixture of indigenous Sikkimese and people ofLepcha,Bhutia Nepalese and Tibetan ancestry along with people rom across India settled and engaged in trade and business activities.

HOW TO REACH GANGTOK:

By air
Gangtok does not have an airport yet and the nearest one is Bagdogra airport at Siliguri .From Bagdogra one can either take a taxi( 120 Km, 4 hours) or a helicopter ride to Gangtok. Gangtok does have a helicopter service provided by Pawan Hans. The cost of the ticket is Rs 2000 per person and it is a 35 minutes ride to Gangtok Helipad. The helicopter is a five seater single engine helicopter and allows only 10 Kilos of luggage per passenger.

The airport located nearest to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport of West Bengal which is only 124 Kms away from Gangtok. India’s national carrier, Indian Airlines including almost all other domestic airlines such as Jet Airlines, Air Deccan run regular flights from the important cities of India such as Kolkata, Delhi etc. Bagdogra is also connected with Gangtok by daily helicopter service operated by Sikkim Tourism development Corporation and it will take only 20 minutes to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra. This helicopter service is subjected to the weather conditions. In Gangtok, major air ticketing agencies are Josse and Josse Travels and Cox & King.

By Helicopter

For the more discerning travelers, Sikkim Tourism is proud to present the Sikkim Helicopter Service from Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport and back. The five-seater Helicopter offers an exclusive mode of transport not merely enabling connecting flights, but also to see Sikkim from an entirely new view.Sikkim Helicopter Service also conducts, besides the regular runs to Bagdogra Airport and back, special mountain flights. Come and see the majesty of the Himalayan peaks from close up like never before, Feast your eyes on the grandeur and the sheer size of the great Mount Khanchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world, or check out the symmetrical beauty of Mount Siniolchu, considered by many as the most beautiful peak in the entire Himalayan range, or fly over Gangtok and get a comprehensive view of the layout of the town with its winding roads and many alleys.Special flights are also conducted over West Sikkim and North Sikkim for a bird's eye-view of the monasteries and the exotic Valley of Flowers, Yumthang.All passengers on these sight-seeing flights are awarded official Certificates of Participation by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) as Souvenirs.
Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC)

Mr. John (Assistant General Manager) 94341-27252

Ms. Deo Maya – 9943630349

Mrs. Tshering Wangmo – 9434484617

Official No.: 281372/281316 Fax No.: 280325 Email: stdcsikkim@yahoo.com

Bagdogra to Gangtok : Mr. Baba Chakraborty

Tourist Service Agency 0353-2531219
Bagdogra Sikkim Tourist Counter 0353-2698030 0353-2698036

By train

The nearest train station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri which has direct connections to New Delhi, Kolkata, and other major cities in India. It is a 10-12 hour journey from Kolkata.
Once you arrive in New Jalpaiguri, you can either hire a taxi from the station itself or take an auto-rickshaw to the Siliguri bus stand. From there, you have the option of travelling to Gangtok by state bus, roughly a 5-6 hour journey.
Dozens of jeeps travel to Gangtok daily from Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and other mountain locales.Rail Ticket reservation facilities are available from Sikkim Nationalized Transport office in all working days.

By Road

The lifeline of Sikkim, which is National Highway 31A connects gangtok with Siliguri and this picturesque highway runs through the lush green forests along the bank of river Teesta on one side and sky touching mountain ranges of Eastern Himalaya on other side. This unique ride of almost two hours will gives you the opportunity to enjoy the valley carpeted with numerous wild flowers. Regular bus service operated by S.N.T. and adequate number of private buses, jeeps and taxies are available from morning to evening at reasonable rate and you can have a very comfortable journey. From Siliguri you can catch jeeps and taxies to reach almost all the important tourist destinations located in both South and West Sikkim. You can also hire taxies and jeeps to travel to your destination of choice at reasonable rate. Most of the reputed destinations of siikim are interlinked by motor able all seasons roads.

Getting around Gangtok

Taxis ply routes around the city, and there are standard charges within the main areas: 40rs for a private service and 8rs for a shared. NB: Taxis can only be hailed from designated taxi stands.

See

The scenery - there are beautiful views of the surrounding hills from the town itself, but the best views - dominated by Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain - are from Enchey Monastery and Ganesh Tok, both high above the town.

Enchey Monastery - a two hundred year old monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism - located above the town.

Do-drul Chorten - a large and impressive stupa complex constructed in 1945.

Dodrupchen Monastery. A large monastery in the Nyingma tradition. Famous for its large chorten. When in residence, Dodrupchen Rinpoche receives devotees to offer blessings from around 8AM to 9:30AM.
Ban Jhakri Falls-Located en route to Ranka and 4 kms away from Gangtok, the Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park, lies amidst a lush green valley spread over two acres, surrounded by trees and a gushing mountain river. The Park has a shamanistic theme. Hence, while the location of the Park penetrating the forest spreads seeks to enhance the essence of the occult and the unknown, the place itself is littered with ethnic sculptures and figurines of the jhakri culture. The park includes a waterfall and has well laid out trails to wander along with gazebos placed at convenient spots to soothe weary legs while the eyes can continue to marvel over the gushing streams and falls. Sikkimese styled foot bridges add more colour to the myriad hued park adorned with exotic flowers of wide variety. A dragon-adorning splash pool beckons longingly at children who can splash about, while the exhibition centre also doubles as a cafeteria. Designated fishing spots along the stream further offer visitors a chance to dwell over life matters while waiting for a bite of the local trout.
Do
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. An excellent collection of artifacts and manuscripts connected to Tibetan Buddhism.
Buy
Sikkim is famous for its fruit processing and tea aside from the local handicraft.Passion fruit Squash, Alpine Cheese, Temi Tea & Maha Gurudev Tea are some of the local products.
Rachna, Development Area. Tel: 91 3592 204-336 (www.rachnabooks.com). Also organises events and exhibitions on The First Floor upstairs. By far the best bookstore in town. A wide selection of titles and knowledgable owner. Rachna is located about a ten minute walk from the main bazaar.
Curio Craft Gallery Curio City, below Hotel Mayur, PS Road (just above the main hospital). Tel: 91 3592 220-551. One of the better quality handicraft stores in town. Excellent selection of Buddhist artwork.

Eat
There are many great and cheap places to eat in Gangtok.
Parivar's, on MG Marg down a short flight of stairs, serves some of the best food in town, and is very popular with locals.
The Roll House, tucked on the side of a stairway between MG Marg and the main market, serves up Veg Momos & hot chapatis (Roll)with various fillings (paneer, egg, veggies). This place is always packed with both tourists and locals and deservedly so.
Quick Bite, and numerous other sweet shops up and down MG Marg, serve up everything from samosas to momos
Tangerine Restaurant, Chumbi Residency, Tibet Road, Gangtok-737101, Sikkim., ☎ +91(0)3592-226618/226619/226620 , fax: +91(0)3592-222707),.Stunning food, some unusual options and far cheaper than it ought to be.
Drink
Baker's Cafe, MG Marg. The only place in town to sell cappuccino, latte and offer a wide selection of Western-style pastries. Check out the pizzas.
Pub 25, MG Road, Gangtok. Till 11 pm. An upscale pub right in the heart of MG Road. Great drinks, tasty food (especially the Malai Tikka and Sauted Mushrooms), and an amazing ambience. The price is higher than other pubs on the street, but its definitely worth it. High.
Sleep
Teen Taley Eco Resort, Rumtek, Gangtok, # 9832052995, . Situated near the holy Rumtek Monastery about 20 Kms from Gangtok town, this Eco resort spread over 6 acres has its own garden and organic farming. The flowing streams, mountain below, snow range in the front and the river below.... providing a picture perfect setting. There are 12 well maintained rooms spread over 6 cottages. Type:- Eco Garden Resort with cottages Rooms:- 12 rooms spread over 5 cottages. 4 Suite Rooms and 8 Deluxe Cottages, Theme:- Ethnic Nepalese
Budget
Hotel Sonali International, Phone: (033) 2552 3432 / 2584 0080 (Cell: +91 98302 87429, E-mail: sonalihotel07@yahoo.com), . A nice place for budget tourists and a good base to meet other travellers - recently relocated to the main town near the Tourist Information Centre. It also organizes tours throughout Sikkim.
Central Lodge - a nice place for Budget tourists and a good base to meet other travellers - recently relocated to the main town near the Tourist Information Centre. It also organizes tours throughout Sikkim.
Green Hotel, Mahatama Gandhi Road. One of the oldest budget hotels in Gangtok. Rooms are clean, some with attached bath. Hot water in buckets (unless recently upgraded). Rs. 200-500.
Mid-range
Bamboo Grove Retreat, Kazi Road. A Boutique 2 star hotel. Theme = Sikkimese design with modern amenities. Available = Car Parking, Peaceful Environment, Internet, Mountain View from Rooms, Mountain Biking,Bar & Restaurant. Bamboo Grove Special Offers:- 20% discount on direct online booking, Off season rate from 15 June to 15 August.
Hotel Tibet, Paljor Stadium Road. Clean and comfortable rooms with an excellent restaurant. Rs.1500-2500.
Hotel Rigwa International Libing Complex, M.G.Marg & Nam Nam Crossing, above Star Cinema Hall.
Hotel Delamare, Church Road, . Conveniently located, warm, elegant decor and excellent service. 1,200rs+ per night
Hotel Golden nest & Hotel Hill View Near mall 600 to 1500 Kolkata cont 033 2249=2716 , 329=53360
High-End Luxury hotels
The Nor-Khill, Gangtok. Unit of Elgin Hotels and Resorts. Colonial decor and luxury at its best. Rs.6000 +.
The Royal Plaza at Syari offers luxury as well as casino for visitors.
The MayFair Resort & Spa ,Ranipool is latest offering in a luxurious and comfortable stay in Gangtok,.
Respect
Littering and spitting are fineable offenses.
Contact
There area no internet cafes along the main thoroughfares and the rate is compatible with other centers of commerce in India. However, the infrastructure is weak, and the mantra of most internet cafes is 'server down.' Travelers who need to work extensively on the internet are advised to do so in Siliguri, where the server connection is much more reliable.

Softect Enterprises, tucked away just after the first pedestrian bridge up from the old taxi station, this internet cafe offers two rooms filled with computers with fast connections.

Get out
Gangtok serves as an excellent base for visiting places like Chomgo Lake, Lachung, and the Yumthang Valley.
Rumtek Monastery, located 22 km from the town. One of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and head seat of the Karma Kagyu school in Sikkim. Originally built in 1740, it fell into disrepair. The current structure dates from 1959.