Visit to Gangtok (Part - 2)

[Continued from Visit to Gangtok] The next day we slept till late in the morning thus ruining all chances of seeing Mt. Kanchenjunga if it was visible. Talking to local people we came to know that it was raining everyday and hence there was little chance of viewing snow capped peaks. They had also added that if by chance it becomes visible it would be at dawn.

Common Leopard at Himalayan Zoological Park

As we had decided to go to Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake, I booked the one day tour to Nathula, Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir from Alternative Tours and Travels. The cost of the tour was Rs. 1200/-.per head. We were told to produce xerox copy of Voter ID Card and two Passport size photographs of each member. After that we had lunch at Woodland Restaurant. Bengali food was available there and the food was good. Then we walked to the S.N.T Bus Terminus. There was a local taxi stand near the terminus. From there we hired a taxi to go to the Himalayan Zoological Park. The zoo was located near Ganesh Tok. We had to buy tickets worth Rs. 100/-.

Great Indian Civet at Himalayan Zoological Park

Then our taxi entered the zoo. The main zoo complex was 2 km from the main gate. As we entered the zoo, a map on the right told us where we were and which animals we could expect to see there. Though the zoo was much smaller than those seen in the metro cities, it hosted some of the most rare and indigenous species of Sikkim. On entering we first saw the Common Leopard. It was kept in an open enclosure which made the viewing of the animal much more interesting. In the next cage, we saw the Clouded Leopard. After that we again started walking. Then we came in front of the cages of the Great Indian Civet and Himalayan Palm Civet. In another cage beside these we saw the leopard cat.

Red Panda at Himalayan Zoological Park

Tibetan Wolf at Himalayan Zoological Park

After this we saw the animal which was the prime attraction of this zoo, The Red Panda. It was very cute. But it was kept far away in a semi natural enclosure. After clicking some photos, we went to see the Tibetan Wolf. There were two wolves. The last animal which we saw in the zoo was the Snow Leopard. Then we came out of the main zoo and entered the birds complex. There were a number of colourful birds including peacock. After this we got into our taxi to return to Gangtok. This time the taxi left us at the Taxi Stand from where we had started our tour. We had our evening snacks at Cafe Metro on the way to our hotel. The food was very good. We had our dinner at the Woodland Restaurant. That night we crawled on our bed quite early and fell asleep as we had already planned to go to Nathula the next day which would be a long tour.

Snow Leopard at Himalayan Zoological Park

Continued to Visit to Gangtok (Part - 3)

How to Reach :

12363 Kolkata-Haldibari Express departs Kolkata station at 09:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 18:50 hrs. 12343 Darjeeling Mail leaves Sealdah station at 22:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:00 hrs. 12377 Padatik Express leaves Sealdah at 22:55 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 09:05 hrs. Hired cars (Tata Sumo, Mahindra MAXX and Bolero) are available from New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Buses are running from S.N.T. Bus Terminus in Siliguri.

Nearest Airport - Bagdogra Airport

Where to Stay :

New Jalpaiguri
Hotel Miami, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 400, Tel: 9332232897
Hotel Holydon, Tel: (0353) 2691162
Gangtok
Greendale Residence, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 4500-4900, Tel: (03592) 201400
Hotel Babumashai, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 204030
Hotel Himalaya's, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 202842
Hotel Woodland, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1000, Tel: (03592) 203414
Hotel Paradise, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 800, Tel: 9832036610

Places of Interest :

The prime attractions of Gangtok are Ropeway, Rumtek Monastery, Tasi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfalls, Banjhakri Falls, Himalayan Zoological Park and Research Institute of Tibetology. Other attractions include Hanuman Tok, Lhasa Falls, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Enchey Monastery and Ganjong Monastery. There are three excursions from Gangtok - Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) and Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir which can be covered in a one day tour from Gangtok (Rs. 800-1000 per head). Indian Visitors are allowed to visit Nathula Pass on all days except Monday and Tuesday. Another conducted tour is the Yumthang Valley Package. It is a 1 Night 2 days tour (Rs. 1200-1400 per head) consisting of Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You can also go for the Gurudongmar Lake package which is 2 Nights 3 Days (Rs. 2400-2800). The tour consists of Lachen, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You will be required to produce xerox copy of Voter ID Card and two passport photos of each member of your family to the travel agency for permit.

For more information, please contact :

Sikkim Tourist Information Centre
M.G. Marg, Gangtok,
East Sikkim
Tel: (03592) 221634