North East Grandeur - Gangtok And Darjeeling 5D 4N West Bengal

Changu Lake – Excursion

Located at an altitude of 12,400 feet, Changu Lake or Tsomgo Lake is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions of Gangtok. An oval-shaped lake spread across a kilometers stretch and situated 35 km away from Gangtok. It is highly worshiped by Buddhists and Hindus. Amid high snow-clad peaks, the lake is fed by the melting ice nearby. While here, get a chance to see Ruddy shelduck, a migratory bird which is also known as Brahminy duck because of its orange and brown feathers. Take a walk around and treat your eyes to the stunning view of the snow-capped mountains under the canopy of cloud racing sky. Indian and foreign nationals are required to obtain a permit to visit Changu Lake. Also, all the non Indian nationals i.e. who are foreigners/Non-Resident Indians/Overseas Citizen of India, must engage the services of a licensed guide for this visit.

Important: The location of this place is such that bad weather, or other issues like sudden road blockages due to landslides, could impact a visit.

Baba Mandir

Paying homage to Baba Harbhajan Singh, the New Baba Mandir in Gangtok is situated around 12 kilometers away from the old Baba Mandir. The temple was built to pay homage to Baba Harbhajan Singh, an Indian army soldier, who was believed to serve his nation even after his death. According to the beliefs of the locals and army personnel, his spirit is still around, guarding the border of India. It is also believed that the water kept in his shrine has healing properties and can cure any possible ailment. The Old Baba Mandir is located near Nathang Valley and is not accessible to many tourists. Thus, given the inconvenience of tourists and difficult terrain, New Baba Mandir was constructed near Tsomgo Lake in 1982.

Important: The location of this place is such that bad weather, or other issues like sudden road blockages due to landslides, could impact a visit. Please keep this fact in mind while planning your day.

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Flower Exhibition

A paradise for flower lovers, the Flower Exhibition Centre displays flowers from different parts of Sikkim under one roof. The centre is situated just below the Ridge Park and is a tropical greenhouse of several species of orchids, anthuriums and lilies. Filled with a variety of colourful flowers and their fragrances, it is a refreshing place to visit. The centre also serves as the venue for the famous Sikkim Flower Show, which displays orchids in full bloom and must not be missed.

Do Drul

Resting peacefully on a Hillock, Do Drul Chorten Monastery was built by the Trulshig Rinpoche Lama of Tibet to ward off all the evil spirits haunting the place. It is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist shrines of Sikkim because of the deity Vajra Kilaya enshrined on top of the Chorten stupa. Surrounded by 108 prayer wheels with mantras inscribed, the stupa is an ideal place to practice meditation.

Namgayal Institute of Tibetology

Established in the year 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes and research on the history, language, art, and culture of the religion. The foundation of the institute was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama and declared open by the late Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. The main building is an epitome of the Sikkism architecture. The museum located on the ground floor exhibits a unique collection of statues, ancient manuscripts, paintings, and other relics.

Cottage industry

Gangtok’s Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts was created in 1957 to preserve and develop the local arts and crafts of the state. It’s very near to the main bazaar in the city.

It’s closed on Sunday. Great carpets, bags and masks are available for sale.

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Sightseeing in Darjeeling and Gangtok

Tiger Hill

Known for offering spectacular views of Mount Everest & Kanchenjunga, Darjeeling’s Tiger Hill should be on your bucket list if you're in the area. Please note that due to a limitation on the number of vehicles on Tiger Hill in the morning, a sunrise visit cannot guaranteed. But in case your morning visit is skipped, we will definitely drive you there in the evening.

Himalayan Mountaineering Instituite

Established in November 1954 in the memory of Tenzing Norgay, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was built with a purpose to encourage mountaineering as an organized sport in India. The highlight of the institute is the mountaineering museum. Paintings, artifacts, models, and equipment are some of the exhibits in the museum. Inside the museum, there's also an Everest section, featuring tools, maps and other articles that were used to climb the hill. Within the premises of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, there's Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.

Himalayan Zoological park

Covering an area of 205 hectares, Himalayan Zoological Park preserves and nurtures the amazing wildlife of Gangtok. Situated at an altitude of 1,780 meters, the park also offers mesmeric views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Explore this incredible habitat of animals like Himalayan Red Panda, Snow Leopard Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Crimson-Horned Pheasant, Himalayan Palm Civet along with other species of flora and fauna.

Tibetan Refugee Centre

Established on 1st October 1959, the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre is home to displaced Tibetans who followed the Dalai Lama to India in early 1959. This refugee centre has a Tibetan Buddhist Temple and various sections where excellent carpets, wood carvings, wool and woollen items are produced. There is also a Photographic Exhibition Hall which exhibits black and white photographs on Tibetan history. Visitors can wander through the workshops where Tibetan craftsmen can be seen at work. One can also buy handicrafts that are on sale at the showroom.

Peace Pagoda

Located atop the Charlemont Hill, Japanese Peace Pagoda is a sacred symbol of harmony and brotherhood. It was built under the supervision of Nichidatsu Fujii and is open for people from all walks of life. A perfect example of Japanese architectural style, the temple is decorated with sandstone carvings, depicting stories from different chapters of Gautam Buddha's life. Close to the Peace Pagoda is a two-storied white building with a large prayer room where the chief priest offers the prayers. Inside the temple, there's a picture of the founder Fujii Guruji and a model of Lord Buddha.

Japanese Temple

The Japanese Temple is a Buddhist place of worship, located just a short drive away from central Darjeeling. The beautiful construction was made in the authentic Japanese style in 1972 and is also known by the name of Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple.

Toy Train Ride

"Experience the lush beauty of the Darjeeling hills as you hop aboard the toy train in Darjeeling. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a must-do experience when in the city. Enjoy the ride, taking in the picturesque scenery, and don't forget to capture the journey with some beautiful photographs Note: One-way ticket included. The duration of the activity is 1 hour and can be availed between 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM. " Tickets would be subject to availability

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