Did you know – Sikkim became the first Indian city to be declared 100 percent sanitation covered?

The capital of Sikkim has a unique power of attraction. Gangtok enjoys balmy and cool weather throughout the year. The hill station township with so many hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers may attract your attention even during off season.

Journey to Gangtok through the rugged surface of the hills of West Bengal and Sikkim. Hilltop view of Teesta river is an add-on with the joy of the journey. This journey encourages a mind to live close to the mother nature.

On the Road to Gangtok

Weather

Summer is the most pleasant season during the year, the temperature stays between 15° C – 25º C during this period. Snowfall in winter season is intermittent.

For more detail weather info visit Gangtok Weather

Cuisines in Gangtok

Gangtok is primarily known for Tibetan cuisine but the availability of Varied available cuisines makes it difficult to choose. Do not miss foods like Momos, Sha-Pheli, Thukpa, Gyathuk, Wonton etc while your stay in Gangtok. You would easily get any other cuisines like North Indian, Chinese, Continental in several restaurants in the city. You should definitely try out a variety of delightful soups at the street side restaurants. If you are fond of Alcoholic beverages, should try out the local made drink “Chang”.

City’s finest restaurants are situated at Mahatma Gandhi Marg (M.G Marg). Plan to spend an evening to enjoy finest and authentic cuisines at any of them.

Accommodation

There are a lot of available accommodation options starting from low to premium budget. Hotels can be booked online or offline from agents in advance. Hotels near M.G Marg provides you an added advantage of being in the heart of the city. Hotels with some distance from the city center would also be difficult to reach by walk as it includes arduous uphill climb.

Another important deciding factor is the availability of clear mountain view from the hotel room itself.

Shopping Destinations in Gangtok

Gangtok is known as a shoppers’ heaven as one can find a lot of native original creation at the marketplace of MG Marg. Shop owners always have varied attractive items to demonstrate and that too with a cheap price tag. Lal Bazar and Kanchenjunga shopping complex are also loved by shopaholics for their uniqueness.

There are different categories to shop for at Gangtok,

• Tibetan Jackets: Excellent quality Tibetan jackets are available here at a cheap price tag. You may need to bargain with the shop owner for a favorable price.
• Tibetan Lanterns and Wall Hangings: You would find these in curator shops and have plenty of options at M.G Marg and Lal Bazar.
• Prayer wheels and flags: Available at cheap price at several local curio shops.
• Sikkimese Cups: Is a must buy as this is one of the unique things to buy in Sikkim. These alluring and colorful cups have native art printed on them. Mostly sold at cheap rates, you still can bargain at Lal Bazar.
• Stone jewelry: If you are fond of jewelry, Gangtok provides you the option of stone jewelry too. Available in almost all the marketplaces, this is another must buy.
• Handicraft and Handloom: The Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom (Established at 1957) is the best place to buy any handicraft goods like shawls, paintings, themed carpets.

Suggestions while in Gangtok

• Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, All emergency services are available within your reach.
• Alcoholic beverages are cheaply available in Gangtok. You could try wide options of wine while your stay.
• Always search for registered agencies for your tour plans. Both shared/dedicated tour options are available.
• During winter, it is advisable to keep a bottle of Brandy available at all the times as temperature gets quite cold at times.
• Not required to carry a lot of cash during your stay as ATMs are nearby.
• At least keep an entire evening free for trying out delicacies available at M.G Marg.