Gangtok with Pelling 5 Nights & 6 Days

Sikkim is a small tiny state of India in the lap of Himalaya. It is called the land of majestic splendour because of its high rise mountains, meandering streams, lush green tea gardens and forests. Almost 40% of Sikkim is covered with forest which makes it a paradise for nature lovers. It has four districts each is having its unique tourist places to offer to the tourists. People from around the world come visit Sikkim tourist places. Here are some of the Sikkim visiting places. 

GANGTOK

Gangtok, the Sikkim capital & an administrative hub of Sikkim, situated at the north eastern of India. At an height of approx 5,500 ft (1650 mtrs.) Gangtok visiting places includes & many more. Outside Gangtok there are visiting places like Tsomgo Lake, Baba Harabhanjan Singh Mandir & Nathula Pass. It also offers a spectacular view of, the third highest peak in the world. It is an important hill station as well as a transit city for many places in of Sikkim. Once it has been an important transit city for trading between India & China through Nathula Pass. Gangtok is a cosmopolitan city with people from different community & religion. It can provide you a wide range of services including good hotels, local & international cuisine along with modern amenities like shopping complexes, cyber café ect.

Gangtok visiting places (Outside) 

Tsomgo Lake (Permit Required)

Baba Mandir 

Nathula Pass (Permit Required)

Enchey Monastery

Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)

Tashi View Point

Ganesh Tok

Hanuman Tok

Flower Exhibition Centre (Flower Show)

MG Marg (The Mall) & Market

Gangtok Ropeway (Cable Car)

Nathula Pass in Gangtok

A road travel from Gangtok to Nathu La Pass is one of the most charming travel experience. The road connects Sikkim with Chumbi Vally (Tibet) on the other side of the border. One can have an Automated Teller Machine, which is the highest ATM available in the world. On the way one can visit Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) & Baba Mandir is also just 5 km drive. At Nathu La there is an Exhibition Centre on Indian National Army. One can also have a magnificent view of My. Chmolhari (in Bhutan) subject to clear weather.

Nathula Pass Permit & Visiting days

Only Indian nationals are allowed to go to the Pass. Foreign nationals are not allowed to travel to the same. They can travel up to Tsomgo Lake (Changu) accompanied by a local guide. Indian nationals also need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit the Nathu La. Tourist need to submit a photo copy of any of the photo ID proofs (Voter ID, Passport, Driving License or any other id card issued by the Government of India / State Government) along with passport size recent colour photographs.  PAN card is not accepted in Sikkim as an identity proof.

Permit Cost

It needs an additional cost ranging around Rs.3,000/-  to  Rs.6,000/- depending of the no of tourist, category of car & season.

Visiting days

It is open for 5 days in a week (except Monday & Tuesday)

Nathula Pass height/ altitude

Nathu-la is situated approx 14,150 ft (4,200 mtr) above sea level.

 

Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir

Tsomgo Lake, a very popular tourist attraction, is 40 km. away from Gangtok situated at an altitude of 12400 ft. The source of the water is the melting snow of the surrounding mountains. Baba Mandir is another 16 km. drive from Tsomgo Lake, situated at an altitude of 13200 ft. It is a temple of Baba Harbhajan Sing. 

PELLING

Around 10 kms from Gyalshing (District Headquarter), Pelling is today emerging as the second biggest tourist destination in the state after Gangtok. Although in itself it is little more than a strip of road lined with hotels, its main USP is the breathtaking view it offers of the Khangchendzonga and surrounding ranges, as well as the easy access it provides to tourist spots in the area.

Pemayangste monastery

is less than a kilometre from Pelling, while a 40 minute walk on the hill opposite the monastery takes you to Sanga Choling monastery built in 1697, one of the first in the state. Pelling’s serene environment and picturesque setting is perfect for nice nature walks and small treks. A destination for all seasons, Pelling has hotels and resorts catering to all budgets.

Named after the guardian deity of Sikkim, Khangchendzonga Festival is held at Pelling every year. It offers a host of fun activities like white-water rafting on the Rangit, kayaking, promotional trekking, mountain biking, sightseeing, traditional sports and bird- watching.

The festival also includes Flower exhibitions, traditional crafts and ethnic food and costume stalls. Cultural folk dances and music add colour and sound to the festivities. The festival is aimed at balancing all diverse aspects of the area to produce a holistic package showcasing its potential for tourism.

Places to Visit in Pelling

Kecheopalri Lake

Situated in the north-west of Pelling, Kecheopalri Lake is a sacred pilgrimage site in Pelling sightseeing for both Hindus and Buddhists. Believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake, this place is heaven for nature lovers and travellers. Many interesting legends revolve around the origin and history of the lake. The shape of the lake looks like a footprint if viewed from the top. Hindus consider this as the footprint of god Shiva while Buddhists believe it to be the footprint of goddess Tara. Another interesting fact about this lake is that in spite of being situated amidst so mush of greenery, no fallen leaves can be seen floating on its surface. It is said that the birds keep the lake clean all the time. Emerging as a popular tourist attraction in Sikkim, Kecheopalri Lake is visited by pilgrims from all around the world.

Kanchendzonga Waterfalls

24 km from the beautiful township of Sikkim, Kanchendzonga waterfall is one of the major tourist hotspot in west Sikkim. It is a perennial waterfall and remains active throughout the whole year. Noted for its fascinating view of surrounding hills and countryside, this stunning waterfall is doubtlessly one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the entire Sikkim. Here, one can also find many small food-stalls selling snacks and tea, which make this place an ideal picnic spot to spend some quality time with near and dear ones.

Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse monastery is a popular Buddhist monastery, situated at a distance of 2 km from Pelling. Built in 1705 by Lama Lhatsum Chempo, it is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. The word Pemayangtse means ‘sublime lotus’ and it is considered to represent one of the four plexus of human body. With its beautiful collection of Buddhist idols, scriptures, sculptures, carvings and paintings, this three storied building is a heavenly place surrounded by magnificent Himalayan ranges of snow-capped mountains. Outside the monastery, there is also a very beautiful picturesque garden well maintained by the monks. Undoubtedly this monastery is one of the must see places when one is in Pelling.

 

HOW TO REACH ?

BY AIR

Nearest Airport - Baghdogra

Nearest Railway Station - Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri

Distance :

Siliguri (NJP) to Gangtok – 120 km (4.30 hrs)

Bagdogra to Gangtok – 125 km (4.30 hrs)

Gangtok to Pelling  –  125 km (5 hrs)

Gangtok to Pelling via Namchi  –   155 km (6 hrs)

Darjeeling to Gangtok – 98 km (4 hrs)

Gangtok to Ravangla  –  68 km (3 hrs)

Gangtok to Namchi  –  80 km (3 hrs)

Bagdogra to Pelling  –  140 km (7 hrs)

Gangtok to Lachung/Lachen  –  105 km (5 hrs)

Best time to visit Sikkim | Weather

You can plan your travel to Sikkim at any time of the year. Every season will offer you a different flavor. Weather in varies from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. It mainly has five seasons.

Spring (March to April)

It is considered a very good season with moderate temperature. This is the time for rhododendrons, orchids & various flowers. You can also have snowfall in some parts of the state in March.

Summer (May to June)

As summer is not very hot in Sikkim. It draws the maximum no of tourist. Most of the regions of the state experience a temperature clime & it ranges from 18C (64F) to 25C (78F).

Monsoon (July to Mid Sep)

This is the time when the state gets maximum rainfall. Sikkim is an ideal place to enjoy Indian monsoon with lush green valleys, hills along with beautiful clouds & fog. But heavy rain increases the risk of landslide during monsoon.   

Autumn (Mid Sep to Nov)

Just after monsoon this is probably the best time to travel with clear sky & moderate temperature.  It is also a good time for photography.

Winter (Dec to Feb)

These are the coolest months & some part of state receives a good volume of snowfall. One can have snow in North district & part of East district. Sikkim is a place with some of the highest snow capped peaks of the world.