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10 Offbeat Things To Do In Gangtok

1. Explore Ravangla
2. Explore the Ruins of Rabdentse
3. Discover the Town of Mangan
4. Experience the Charm of Yuksom
5. Visit the Picturesque Yumthang Valley
6. See the Seven Sisters Waterfall
7. Enjoy the Tranquility of Khecheopalri Lake
8. Visit Rumtek Monastery
9. Explore the Village of Lachen
10. Stroll Through Temi Tea Garden

The capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok, is popular for its natural beauty, calm landscapes, and stunning cultural heritage. This popular destination draws tourists from across the globe who are captured by its peaceful atmosphere and gorgeous views. However, beyond the well-trodden paths, there are lesser-known, hidden gems around Gangtok that offer unique and enriching experiences for those seeking something different.

Exploring these offbeat things to do in Gangtok provides an opportunity to feel yourself in the middle of the environment and rich local traditions that are often overshadowed by the city's more famous attractions. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or someone with an inclination towards history, these lesser-explored spots promise memorable adventures and a deeper appreciation of Gangtok's diverse charm. So, pack your bags and embark on this exciting journey to uncover the lesser-known marvels surrounding Gangtok, enhancing your travel experience with a touch of discovery and adventure.

Explore the best of this scenic destination with tailored Gangtok tour packages that ensure a hassle-free and unforgettable experience amidst nature's finest offerings.

You can also book our North East tour packages to visit top spots like Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and more, making your trip through this beautiful region easy and unforgettable.

Here are some of the best offbeat things to do in Gangtok:

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01

Explore Ravangla

The top thing to do in Gangtok is Explore Ravangla. It is a must-visit spot as it offers mind-blowing views of the Kanchenjunga range. This town is home to many attractions like the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Buddha Park, the Ralang and Bonn Monasteries, and the  Kewzing Market.

Ravangla is accessible throughout the year, with August and September being particularly special due to the Pang Lhabsol celebrations.  

Timing: 
The area is open for exploration from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

You Can Also Checkout: 
3 days Gangtok tour Package
02

Explore The Ruins Of Rabdentse

Rabdentse is a fascinating historical site near Gangtok that will make you acquainted with the past of Sikkim. Once a prominent royal capital, Rabdentse was destroyed by the Gurkha army in the 18th century and still continues to amaze visitors with its intriguing ruins. 

As you approach the ruins, you'll be welcomed by the presence of chestnut trees lining the path. 

Timing: The place can be visited between September to May, with visiting hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

You Can Also Checkout: Gangtok 4 Days 3 Night package
03

Discover The Town Of Mangan

Mangan is a charming village in North Sikkim and invites visitors to explore its natural beauty through leisurely walks along its beautiful paths. Mangan has a range of adventure sports like rock climbing, paragliding, and forest camping and these are the main Gangtok things to do.

If you are seeking spiritual renewal, a visit to the nearby Labrang Gompa cannot be missed.

Timing: The best time to visit the place is between October and November. 

You Can Also Checkout: 5 days Gangtok Tour Package
04

Experience The Charm Of Yuksom

Yuksom is located in the Geyzing Subdivision of North Sikkim and is situated about 123 km away. This charming village is known for its abundant trekking opportunities. If you are a nature and adrenaline junkie, you cannot afford to miss the several attractions like Norbhugang Park, Kathok Wodsalin Gompa, and Dubdi Gompa.

Strolling through Yuksom provides a rich and traditional experience that often goes unnoticed by many travelers. 

Timing: The best time to visit Yuksom is between March and June.

You Can Also Checkout: 5 Night 6 Days Gangtok tour
05

Visit The Picturesque Yumthang Valley

Yumthang is situated at an altitude of 11,800 feet and is one of the more offbeat things to do in Gangtok. Popularly known as the ‘Sikkim Valley of Flowers,’ it is famous for its vibrant displays of blossoms, such as primulas that bring splashes of color to the landscape.

You get to observe rhododendron shrubs in full bloom. 

Timing: The best time to visit Yumthang is between February and April and it is accessible from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

You Can Also Checkout: 7 days 6 night Gangtok tour package
06

See The Seven Sisters Waterfall

The Seven Sisters Waterfall is a hidden gem located near Gangtok. It is situated along the Gangtok-Lachung National Highway in North Sikkim. This  waterfall presents a mesmerizing sight when viewed up close.

You can have the time of your life on a ropeway ride that provides a closer view of the water cascading down the rocky terrain.

Timing:  The best time to visit is from August to October. It is located 32 kilometres from Gangtok.

You Can Also Checkout: 3 days 2 Night Sikkim tour
07

Enjoy The Tranquility Of Khecheopalri Lake

This lake is located within a 200 km radius of Gangtok and is steeped in local legend, with the belief that Tara Jetsun Dolma, the guardian deity of Sikkim, originated from its waters.

It is located within the Khecheopalri Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and provides trekking opportunities.

Best Time to Visit:  The best time to visit is from October to February, with a special highlight on the 15th full moon day. 

Timing: The lake is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
08

Visit Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery is known for its important role in Buddhist culture. This respected site attracts numerous visitors due to its religious heritage. The monastery has catchy murals, detailed sculptures, and exquisite silk paintings. The place also offers memorable views of the Gangtok Valley.

It is located 36 kilometres from Gangtok and is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and the entry fee is a reasonable ?10. 

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is between September and October.

Timing: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

You Can Also Checkout: 6 Days 5 Night Sikkim Tour
09

Explore The Village Of Lachen

Lachen is a must-visit for its breathtaking landscapes and calm ambiance. It is located in North Sikkim and provides stunning snow-clad mountain vistas from the nearby Chopta Valley. You can try your hand at various adventure activities and explore spots such as Gurudogmar Lake, Thangu Valley, and Lachen Monastery.

Situated 107 kilometers from Gangtok, Lachen is best visited between September and May. 

Timing: Lachen is best visited between September and May. 

You Can Also Checkout: Sikkim tour packages for 8 days
10

Stroll Through Temi Tea Garden

The tea garden is the only tea estate in Sikkim and is a distinctive experience. Established in 1969, this estate covers 440 acres and provides views of Mount Khangchendzonga.

It’s an ideal spot for those interested in the tea production process, from the picking of tea leaves to the final processing before export.

Timing:  The best time to visit is between March and June or from September to November. 

You Can Also Visit: 5 Night 6 Days Gangtok tour

People Also Ask About Gangtok

  1. What makes Gangtok famous?

    Gangtok is famous for the view of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak. The city itself is surrounded by amazing natural landscapes, with attractions such as Tsomgo Lake, Ban Jhakri Falls, and Tashi Viewpoint showcasing its abundant natural beauty.
  2. How many days should I plan for exploring offbeat places near Gangtok?

    You need 3-5 days for all the offbeat things to do in Gangtok. Temi Tea Garden, Yuksom, Ravangla, and more require you to explore offbeat locations in and around Gangtok.
  3. When is the best time to visit Gangtok?

    Summers are the best time to visit Gangtok. The temperature during the summer season ranges between 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. You can stay at places around Gangtok that are green and surrounded by nature.
  4. Is Gangtok an expensive travel destination?

    It is a slightly expensive place to visit. However a lot depends on the place of travel, time of the year, and number of days. However you can always choose a tour package for the best itinerary and pricing for Gangtok things to do.
  5. What is Gangtok’s nightlife like, and where can I experience it?

    One of the top things to do in Gangtok is exploring its nightlife. There are various places to visit during the night like Cafe Live & Loud, X’ Cape, After Dark Gangtok, Sikkim, Club King B, Infinity Futsal, Home, Ground Sports Bar, and Casino Mahjong, and more.
  6. Is there snowfall in Gangtok?

    Yes, it snows during the winter season in Gangtok. The winter season is from October to February. You can enjoy the sights of snow-capped mountains and the weather during this time.
Newly Added Gangtok Experience

Gangtok Top Attractions

Places To Visit In Gangtok
20 November 2018
Rajesh Sharma Goechala Trek
Excellent
About the operators: Thrillophilia ties up with trek operators for this amazing trek. The team that carries the group is well trained, well versed and allows the trekkers to focus on their trekking. To provide service at such altitude with smile on face is bliss. They also have some hidden gems planned during the trek for people to be pleasantly surprised. Our trek guide Premtuk is an old hand and lives in Yaksum region. His ability to guide the team as well as captain the support staff was fantastic. He also made sure that trekkers were absolutely taken care off. He had excellent support staff and 12 horses to make sure that we had a glitch-free day’s and nights. Tenzing, vijay and others who worked tirelessly and with laughter all the time made the time memorable. About the trek: this trek offers variety for a serious trekker. The trails and paths are not the same throughout or even different times of the year. It has varied degree of difficulty and hence one needs to be physically and mentally prepared to harness the strength. One connects to self and nature throughout and comes back rejuvenated. It’s not just the moments of seeing sunrise or the summit from various points or watching Mt Pantim alone that takes your breath away but also the journey. It’s a pilgrimage to your own inner self that one ends up discovering. Finally few words of suggestions: for city dwellers who come for this trek, it’s a great idea to come and stay In yuksam few days in advance and do some of other amazing treks. Not only it helps in acclimatisation but also allows you to soak in local culture and food.
Vipin C Goechala Trek
Excellent
"The beauty of this trek is all about the landscape. You start of the trek from dense forest with fresh streams and then to Rhododendron trees when you gain altitude , later which you would come across a beautiful valley overlooking Mt Kanchenjunga. Try out the local cuisine in Yuksom. Thukpa and Chang are two things you need to try out. Although the trek is not recommended for first time trekkers you can still give it a shot provided you are fit and have taken all the items in checklist. "
23 November 2019
Bishakha Nayak North Sikkim Tour
Excellent
This was my first trip with Thrillophilia as well as with complete strangers. I must say that Thrillophilia did not disappoint me ( nobody is perfect, so be flexible to accept minute glitches) . The whole trip went so smooth , starting from the pick up from airport, the hotels we got, arrangement of permits, site seeing and drop at the airport. Special thanks to Deep ( trip coordinator from tour angle) and Ammu ( my cab driver) . P. S. : if you want to see the flower calf yumthang valley and the frozen Tsomgo and Gurudongmar lake , then the ideal time to visit north Sikkim is March-April. November is the ideal time to witness the pleasant winter of sikkim along with its untouched beauty. Looking forward to travel more with Thrillophilia. P.S: the only problem which we faced was two co- passengers who used to get late for everything and because of them we had to rush from each location because of time constraint ( I totally understand that this things isn’t in the hand of Thrillophilia)
16 October 2015
Apsara Mahajan Goechala Trek
Excellent
Trekking in the state of Sikkim is very different and a unique experience that you would not gain from trekking in any other part of India. The Indian Himalayas trek in Sikkim is awesome and a must take. What we enjoyed the most were the mountains, the trek trails, the people and their unique culture. This was a sharp contrast to our habits and culture. The trek is not that difficult and it is in fact very much feasible to be taken even by a first timer as well. The trekking was very nicely planned and organized with perfect budget. Do try this trek.
01 July 2015
Suryakanta Patil Goechala Trek
Excellent
Located in the state of Sikkim, this Goecha La trek is my dream and desire come true. This trek is a treat to all the adventure lovers who are in our country or visit our country. This place is nestled midst colourful, unique, and vibrant flora and fauna. This trek also paves way to the astounding Kanchenjunga National Park that can be visited in a day. This trek is an opulent beauty as it opens doors to murky valleys, snow clad mountain peaks, astonishing lakes, and lovely rivers in Sikkim. I was just marvelled at the spectacular beauty of this place.
01 April 2021
Excellent
This was my first paragliding experience and I was so thrilled and scared both at the same time. This March I was going to Gangtok and came to know about the paragliding activity there and booked the same with Thrillophilia and made the most of the thrills and spills of Paragliding. After heading to the paragliding spot in Ranka at Gangtok. I was accompanied by a trained pilot throughout the entire activity when we soared at a height of 1300- 2200 meters. The best thing about Thrillophilia is that it not only gives you an option to choose between medium and high fly but regardless of the package you choose, the ride from the landing site to the take-off point is all included. I chose the high fly package where I and my certified pilot rose at a height of 2200 meters, marveling at nature’s beauty underneath. After this paragliding trip, I must say that this has been my best so far, given the whole safety protocols that Thrillophilia adhered to besides arranging a trip to the Ranka monastery. Thus, I recommend Thrillophilia with all my heart, for such out-of-the-box experiences!
26 January 2021
Excellent
Who does not dream of a farmhouse stay amidst the rolling Himalayan Mountains and an emerald green forest? Yes, I am no different because I have craved for such an experience all my life and I am extremely glad that Thrillophilia came on board to grant all that I desired. My 2 days one night experiential stay at a Farmhouse in Gangtok not just let me have a perfect getaway but so much more. I learnt about terrace farming, plucked ripe fruits from the trees, enjoyed picnics along the streams, and tried my hands on organic farming. I still miss my bedroom in the homestay that had a skylight right above the bed to let me stargaze endlessly. Thank you Thrillophilia for such a splendid experience!
19 January 2021
Superb
A tour of Sikkim and Darjeeling was always on my mind having heard so much about the Yumthang (valley of flowers), the Batasia loop and the mighty tiger hill to catch a scenic sunrise. As a solo traveler I decided to book with Thrillophilia for a 8-day trip to set forth a Sikkim Darjeeling tour that would include all these places. I am extremely elated I did as the teams ensured hassle free travel in air-conditioned vehicles besides stays and dinner at the most hygienic hotels. I am back at Pune after the trip in March but I feel I am back with a piece of Tibet and North Bengal in my heart. I still cherish going to this picturesque hamlet of Chungthang, the stunning Kanchenjunga National Park, and the pristine Gurudongmar Lake. I have absolutely loved my stopover at Kyongnosla and a visit to the Baba Harbhajan dham besides of course the scenic sunrise at Tiger hill, and candlelight dinner at the most unexpected locations. Thanks a ton Thrillophilia for the most wholesome experience there could be!
17 February 2021
Excellent
My partner got hold of a Thrillophilia voucher for a Sikkim homestay that initially I was not that keen on using. However, I went ahead and set off for this Traveler’s paradise homestay for 2 days and one night. And, I am so glad I did because it was one of the nicest stay experiences. Our homestay was perched on a hilltop’s edge and offered sweeping views of the Himalayan foothills, the snowy Nathula peaks, and the snaking Teesta River. A special thanks to thrillophilia for giving tripping a whole new spin as we could go for forest picnics, nature walks, and practice angling at the Kaleej Khola. To this day, I keep telling my partner as to how we need another trip soonish. Only, to try the roast chicken with thumba, under a starlit sky of the Traveler’s paradise homestay, with the chilling mountain wind for company.
20 February 2021
Excellent
A complete year of no travels or moving owing to the lockdown left me feeling highly depressed. It is then that me and my friends quickly planned a trip that would include the total Silk route. Staying in Kolkata this is the closest destination we could travel. But, after a lot of deliberations as to who will arrange the trip we thought of giving Thrillophilia a try. And, we are so glad we did. We were greeted and had the warmest welcome on arrival at the Bagdogra airport before one of Thrillophilia’s representatives transferred us to the pristine Sillery gaon. No wonder the hamlet is called New Darjeeling as the place looks like heaven with the tall pine trees and offers uninterrupted views of the Kanchenjunga mountain. We stayed at a plush guesthouse with well-washed linens and clean washrooms. Later, we left for Aritar, spent a night there and after a wholesome breakfast, proceeded to Zuluk to spend a happening evening. At a remote place such as Zuluk Thrillophilia ensured we stayed at a comfy hotel. If you have the silk route in mind and desire to experience the Tibetan culture at its best then this 6 day trip to some of the most gorgeous locations of Lampokhari lake, Reshikola, Kupup lake, Jelep La pass, Tukla Valley and several more, will woo you beyond measure.

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