Nearest Airport: IXB ( Bagdogra) I24 Kms Flights to Delhi , Kolkata and Guwahati Nearest Rail Head: NJP- 114 Kms Trains to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Chennai and Bangalore.

 

 

 

 

PLACES TO VISIT

Gangtok
The Capital of Sikkim situated at an altitude of 5,800 feet straddling a ridge is a place where the journey into Sikkim begins. All amenities are available at Gangtok like post and telegraph office, e-mail & internet, PCOs, Railway reservation counter and Airlines booking office, cinema halls and good hotels and restaurants.

Research Institute of Tibetology
About one kilometer downhill from the main market of Gangtok, amidst a small forest of Oak, Magnolia and Birch trees stands the Research Institute of Tibetology built in 1958, promoting research into Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world's largest collection of books and rare manuscripts on Buddhism and many religious works of art and a collection of beautiful silk embroidered Tibetan paintings called Thangkas.

Phurba Chorten
Just adjacent to the institute of Tibetology perched on a hilltop is a huge towering monument called 'Stupa' with a gold apex surrounded by prayer-wheels, 113 in number with the mystic mantra "OM MANE PADME HUM'' (Hail jewel in a lotus) inscribed on them. A little ahead of the chorten is a shrine containing huge images of Guru Padmasambhava and his reincarnation Guru Song Zisil Gnon.

Cottage Industries
Located at about one kilometer uphill from the main market near the Zero Point, is a Government Organisation established in 1957 for promoting the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts, carpets and furniture. It also sells Thankas and Choksees (carved wooden folding tables). Masks and hand made paper are a speciality of this center.

Orchids
As it is the State flower of Sikkim, it is seen at different places in many varieties. Orchids are seasonal and can be seen in the month of March to June. Some famous places for seeing rare Orchids are the Flower Show, Orchid Sanctuary near the institute of Tibetology and the Orchidarium - off the main road leading to Gangtok.

Tsuk-La-Khang
This is the royal Chapel and the principal place of worship for the Sikkimese people. It is a beautiful Sikkimese structure with its interior covered with murals and the lavishly decorated altars hold images of Buddha and Tantric deities surrounded by fine wood carvings. The Only time it is open to the public is during the Loosar festival which usually falls in the month of February when the famous Mask Dances are performed portraying the triumph of Good over Evil.

Tsomogo Lake
Situated at a distance of 30 kms. from Gangtok and at a height of 12,400 feet on the Gangtok - Nathula highway, which used to be the old silk route to China, is the Tsomogo Lake. Before 1962 caravans of mules used to ply on this route. The lake is considered sacred because in the early days the Lamas would forecast the future by looking at the colour of the water in the Lake. It is a snow fed lake and is a treat to one's eyes in winters, when it is frozen.