Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir
This is the finest and easily assessable lake of Sikkim. Frozen Lake with scenic beauty and frozen for more than six months of the year. There are few more lake nearby like Kupup, Memencho, etc. Another popular site among tourist is the Baba Mandir situated at an altitude of nearly 11500 feet close to the lake and even close to Nathu La pass. Baba Harbhajan Singh is a legend who is believed to guard the area and keep a watch on the army as a protector of the region.
Nathu La Pass (14450 feet)
Nathu La pass and Jelep La Pass are situated in the extreme north of Sikkim, close to Gangtok. These are historical passes and are opened to trade with China recently. This route links Sikkim with the Republic of China and the Tibet Autonomous Region. The pass is situated at an altitude of 4310 or 14400 meters. Pass and permits to visit this place is controlled by the Defence ministry and has certain norms. We do issue permits through the same route.
Gangtok
The capital city of East district and is the tourism and financial hub of the state. It is a beautiful hill resort in the lap of the snowcapped peaks of the Kanchendzonga. Situated at an altitude of about 5600 feet but with good roads and chopper service is blessed with breathtaking tourist attractions. One can stay here for a week without being bored. There are quite a number of destinations one can visit from here.
Aritar
This is a small settlement in East Sikkim, under Rongli sub division. Aritar is 3 to 4 hours drive from Gangtok and 2 hours drive from Rangpo. Aritar Lake popularly known as the Lampokhari is a new tourist destination. The view from the Mankhim hilltop is just spectacular. This is on the way of the Historic Silk Route. One can stay here or Reshi or Zuluk and visit Jelep La pass, Kupup Lake, Memencho Lake, Nathang Valley and many more places around.
Three Points, Seven Points and ten point tour
All private and government travel agents, even the local Taxi Operators can take you for three, seven and seven points’ tour. The tour includes points or places of your choice among the list given Tashi View Point, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Enchey Monastery, Bakthang Water Falls, Cottage Industry, Flower Show, Chorten Stupa, Tibetology Museum, Rope Way, Rumtek Monastery, Ranka Monastery, Ban Jhakri falls, etc. Local taxi is used for internal movement. Tourist vehicle are not allowed inside the town during the day.
Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom
This is for the promotion of local handicraft. This was instituted with the aim of promoting and keeping the state's traditional arts and crafts developing. The directorate of handicrafts & handloom is a storehouse and display center of hand - woven carpets with traditional motifs, blankets, shawls and exquisitely imprinted Choktse or table and many other gift items. One can collect / buy some memorabilia.
Flower Festival & White Hall
Orchid and flower exhibitions are organized round the year at the flower show venue near the white hall complex. There is a small park nearby with nice view. Orchid shows held during the spring and autumn are the best but tourist can enjoy it in any time of the year as the displays are always in full bloom any time of the year. White Hall in Gangtok is an important sightseeing spot and carries the historical testimonies of the city even today. It is located just fifteen minutes walking distance from the main market place.
From Tashi view point, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok
One can have breathtaking view of Mount Khanchendzonga and Mount Siniolchu. Ganesh Tok is situated on a ridge and one gets birds view of sprawling Gangtok town down below. A cafeteria serves you hot tea/coffee and snacks. Hanuman Tok is a similar type of view point but from a different angle, a hindu temple where the devotees offer prayers.
Do-Drul Chorten
Do-Drul Chorten or Do Drul Stupa was built by Truslshi Rimpoche. He was the head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. This was built in the year of 1945. Preserved inside this Stupa are complete Mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba around this Chorten, it is one of the most important Stupa in Sikkim. There are 108 Mani - lhakor (prayer wheels) which are rotated by the followers while visiting and praying in this monastery.
Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology
It is the most prestigious institute of its kind in India. This Buddhist Institute is a treasure of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts. Statues and rare Thankas with over 200 Buddhist icons are preserved here from historic age. It is renowned worldwide center for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion.
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre
Nearly 45 minutes drive from Gangtok, 25 kilometers away from the city, is the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center. Rumtek monastery is huge and wealthy monasteries in Sikkim and is the seat of the Head of the Kagyu order of Karmapa. It was built in 1960, The Dalai Lama stayed here when he came to India from Tibet.
