The Gangtok Trip - Part 2

Continued from The Gangtok Trip - Part 1
From there we headed towards Banjhakri Waterfalls, one of the biggest attractions of Gangtok which we missed last time since the road was not good. This time we were able to visit the falls and we were awe struck. The place is beautifully decorated with gardens, flowers, trees, ponds, chairs and a footbridge over the waterfalls. I would say that this is the best waterfalls in Gangtok. We had lunch at a restaurant near Banjhakri Falls. Our next destination was Ranka Monastery. This is one of the largest monasteries in Sikkim. The monastery is actually located on the hill opposite to the one on which the city of Gangtok lies. On the way we passed by Khangchendzonga Tourist Complex, Ranka. After that we returned to Gangtok. This tour lasted for the whole day from 9:30 am to 5 pm. At night we had dinner at Babumashai Restaurant and then went to sleep.

Banjhakri Falls

The day after we were quite tired. The entire morning we kept ourselves in the hotel room. So we watched TV and spent time watching the mists moving around the city of Gangtok from the balcony. At noon we stepped out from the hotel to have lunch. After having lunch we went to the nearby Private Taxi Stand to inquire about places we can visit from Gangtok. I found out that the Private Taxi Stand was primarily meant for shared jeeps bound for Rumtek, Martam, Singtam etc. Of course they were of no use to us tourists. In the evening we spent some time in MG Marg, the heart of Gangtok with all the coffee shops, stores, restaurants and hotels. We inquired at the Tourist Information Centre about the condition of the road leading to Yumthang Valley. The reply was negative stating that the road was closed and as a result the Yumthang Valley tour was not being conducted. Thereafter we had dinner at a restaurant and came back to our hotel.

Temi Tea Garden

Next morning we woke up early and took a cab for a one-day Namchi tour. The road to Namchi was very beautiful. Our first stop was at Temi Tea Garden. The scenic beauty of the place is awe inspiring with lush green tea plantations, serpentine roads and misty clouds all over the hills. Although we could step inside the garden and take photos but tourists are presently not allowed inside the factory to watch the processing of tea leaves. After that we went to Samudruptse, one of the most prominent attractions of Namchi. The place hosts a 135 feet high statue of Guru Padmasambhava. Apart from the statue, there's nothing of much interest at Samudruptse.

Samudruptse

Now we started our journey towards Siddheswara Dham (commonly known as Char Dham). On the way we passed by the State Biodiversity Park and Rock Garden which our driver explained was a great tourist attraction some years back. Now they have been abandoned due to lack of maintenance. Finally we reached Namchi town. We saw Central Park, the heart of Namchi on the way. As we approached Char Dham, the 108-ft tall statue of Lord Shiva became more prominent and visibly bigger in size.

Continued to The Gangtok Trip - Part 3

How to Reach :

12363 Kolkata-Haldibari Express departs Kolkata station at 09:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 18:55 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 to reach Gangtok. Buses are running from S.N.T. Bus Terminus in Siliguri to Gangtok.

Nearest Airport - Bagdogra Airport

Where to Stay :

New Jalpaiguri
Hotel Miami. Tariff - Double bed Rs. 800. 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. 1400. Tel: (03592) 203414.
Hotel Paradise. Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1000. Tel: 9832036610.

Places of Interest :

The prime attractions of Gangtok are Banjhakri Falls, Rumtek Monastery, Tashi View Point, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfalls, Himalayan Zoological Park and Research Institute of Tibetology. Other attractions include 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. Another conducted tour is the Yumthang Valley Package. It is a 1 Night 2 days tour consisting of Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You can also go for the Gurudongmar Lake package which is 2 Nights 3 Days. 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. One can also hire a local taxi and go for Namchi sightseeing and return to Gangtok on the same day.

For more information, please contact :

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