Gangtok which, at an altitude of 1,870m, is Sikkim's fairytale capital in the clouds, balances precariously on steep mountain slopes, Surrounded by lush rice terraces, swifts flowing rivers and distant snow views, Gangtok has become the political and economic hub of Sikkim with its population having increased from 15,000 to 50,000 since it joined India in 1975.

Adventure in Gangtok Sikkim Trekking

Institute of Tibetology:
About 1.5 km (nearly a mile) from downtown Gangtok is the Institute of Tibetology, an organisation dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and region. It attracts scholars from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thanks and 200 icons, all prized objects of art for the Buddhist world. The Institute has won both national and international acclaim.

Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery:
This monastery is located in the palace premises near the ridge in Gangtok. It is two storied and was used during royal functions like weddings and coronations. The Phang Labsol and the Lossang festivals are celebrated in the ground adjacent to the monastery once-every year with the performance of the 'Chhams' or the masked dances.

Dul-Dul Chorten & Jhang Club Chortan:
Sikkim has commemorated, with stupas, both the Buddha and one of his followers of today. Near the Deorali bazaar, are two exquisite stupas, the "Dul-dul-Chorten", was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil; the "Jhang Club Chorten" was built to perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalises rimpoche in the land of his birth.

Government Institute of Cottage Industries:
Just outside Gangtok is the Government Institute of Cottage Industries which produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs from the whole state. Hand woven Tibetan carpets sprout dragons in natural dyes, Sikkinese-style tables called "Choktse" are expertly carved and richly coloured in red and gold. Hand-made rice paper is also produced. Talented children are taught the basics of knitting, weaving, leather work, basket making, mask making and painting of religious and secular themes.

Lal Bazaar:
On Sunday, Gangtok' s Lal Bazaar is a melody of colour. Various ethnic groups from different villages gather to haggle, bargain, gossip or just sell their wares. The marketplace rings to a cacophony of sound-the babble of ethnic tongues, the chiming bells of the Indian sweet shops the whining of a beggar, the chanting of prayers, the advertising of the Sikkim lottery and the blaring Hindi love songs from the Denzong cinema.

Rumtek Monastery:
About 24 km from Gangtok, by meandering roads through emerald green rice terraces, lies Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or 'Black Hat' sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 1959 by His Holiness the 16th Reincarnated Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyud sect, it is a replica of Tsurphu Monastery from the Kham region of Tibet. He was forced to flee the Chines capture of Tibet and physically carried unique religious treasures with him.

Pemayangtse Monastery:
Pemayangtse, the Sublime Lotus monastery, lies west of Gangtok. Built in 1705 it is Sikkim's second oldest monastery and second most important. This ancient monastery is the headquarters of the Nyingmapa Buddhist sect of Sikkim. Inside are great murals filled with thousands of deities from the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. On the top floor is a wooden sculpture, the Zandog-Palri, which depicts the heavenly abode of Guru Padmasambhava.

Tashiding Monastery:
Tashiding Monastery was built by Pediwangmo, the half sister of Chogyal Chador Namgyal in 1716. According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava shot an arrow amd meditated on the spot where it had fallen. Tashiding was constructed on that spot, perched on a hilltop surrounded by deep forest and two rivers, the Ratong and Rangit. Though this monastery is second only to Pemayangtse, it houses the sacred chorten, Thongwa Randol. According to ancient belief, just a glimpse of the chorten cleanses one of all sins.

Yuksom:
Yuksom, in the west of Gangtok, is an historical town set amidst pristine hills and lakes, where the first King of Sikkim was crowned in AD 1642. From here the adventurous can trek to Dzongri and Gochi-La. The reward for undertaking this strenuous excursion is an unequalled first-hand experience of the high Himalaya peaks, glaciers and icefalls. A superb panorama of the Eastern Himalayas awaits the trekker.

Mangan:
Mangan is the main adminstration and market centre for north Sikkim where the locals sell their apples, oranges and cardamom. Dzongu is a forested region fed by two important rivers, the Teesta and Tolung, in the shadow of Mt Kanchenjunga and the icy castle of Mt Siniolchu, considered to be world's most beautiful peak. The antique Tolung Monastery in Mnagan can be reached through dense jungle and steep hillsides. The monastery is a repository of Sikkim's treasures including horse saddes, old thankas and thigh bone trumpets.

Trekking:
Great tracts of virgin forests and deep river valleys, offering views of ancient monasteries such as Pemayangtse and Tashiding and the attractive but rapidly developing hamlet of Pelling, characterize the beautiful region of Western Sikkim. The old capital, Yoksum, lies at the start of the trail towards Dzongri and Kanchenjunga.

On the far west, along the border with Nepal, the watershed of the Singalila range rises along a single ridge, with giants such as Rathong and Kabru culminating in Kanchenjunga itself. Although only one high altitude trek is currently available, several low altitude treks, free from trekking restrictions, provide tremendous opportunities for trekkers to enjoy the terraced landscapes, waterfalls and forests.

Air :
The closest airport is at Bagdogra, which is 124-km from Gangtok and connected by air with all-important Indian Metros. Rail:
The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, which is 125-km from Gangtok. NJP is well connected with all major cities of India.

Road:
Gangtok is connected with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri by the national highway 31 A. the Sikkim nationalised transport plies regular bus services between Gangtok and Siliguri and within Sikkim. Private buses, jeeps and taxis are also available from Siliguri and Bagdogra.

DISTANCES FROM MAJOR CITIES
»Bagdogra: 124-km
»Siliguri: 110-km
»Kalimpong Via Tista: 75-km
»Jalpaigurhi: 125-km
»Darjeeling: 94-km
»Singhik: 72-km
»Tsongo: 40-km
»Lachung: 126-km
»Yumthang: 149-km