Holidays in Gangtok

Your summer holidays in Gangtok is going to be amidst natures crest. Pictorial beauty, scenic views of mountains and the smell of the orchids create an enchanting ambiance around. As you stroll around, you would feel like you are walking through your dream portal. Coupled with that the sight of Kanchenjunga and the quaint Buddhist monasteries, silently stitches together the mystical and the spiritual. The place has known to be a famous shooting spot for movies and teleserials. It's is also a favorite haunt for the honeymooners. Days spent here would welcome you to simple and amicable people, a soothing climate and picturesque tourist attractions.

Before venturing out, it is useful to update yourself on few fast facts about Gangtok. They are listed below:-

Gangtok is a little town located at the apex of a ridge at a height of 5,800 feet.

• The city overerlooks the beautiful river Ranikhola
• It also overlooks the third tallest peak in the world named Kanchenjunga
• Gangtok means Lofty Hill
• The city is also the hub of serene monasteries. To name a few eminent one would be the Enchery Monastery and Rumtek Monastery

Gangtok has something for everyone to experience. Let us have a look at the places of interest that you can visit on your stay:-

• The Enchery Monastery

Gangtok is famous for its monasteries. You will find monks clad in saffron clothing walking down the street. The Enchery Monastery is 200 year old. The best time to be here is between the months of December and January, when there are annual religious dances and other performances.

• The Gangtok Deer Park

This is an eminent landmark in Gangtok and is situated close to the Secretariat Building. Going by the name, the park is known for its wide and rare varieties of deer. There is a Buddha statue here which is reminiscent of the Sarnath close to Varanasi. Morning 7:30 am is a good time to be there at the park, when the deer are fed

• Lall Market

Shopping too is an integral part of your tour to Gangtok. Lall market is a place when you can saunter around and shop. At the same time, this is a well known landmark from where the shared jeeps leave for Rumtek Monastery and other tourist sites located near. Super Market and Old Bazaar are two other places that you can visit for shopping.

• Pemayangtse Monastery

This is located at an altitude of 2085 and is the second largest monastery in Sikkim. The sect that it belongs to is Nyingma-pa sect, founded by Padma Sambhava in the late 8th century. The followers of this particular sect endorse red caps.

• Rumtek Monastery

This is the renowned monastery in Sikkim and is situated at the Ranipool Valley. The monastery is said to be the center of Gyalwa Karmapa, the authority of the kagyu-pa sect according to Tibetan Buddhism. This sect was established by Lama Marpa in 11th century.