Part 3 - Gangtok

Day 8

Gangtok Sightseeing.

 "About Gangtok"
- Capital of the Indian State of SIKKIM.
- Elevation 5,410ft.
- Is famous for the views of Kanchenjunga.
- One the cleanest cities of India
- Restricted area. (Unlike other Indian tourist places)


On our way back from MG Marg last night, one of the travel agent asked us to come back today morning by 8.45hrs, if possible for arranging a trip to Nathula Pass. Day 8 - morning we had our breakfast early and left to MG Marg, but we couldn't maintain the time. We reached there by around 9.15hrs. By the time he had left from the shop to get the permits done for the day. So its confirmed we are not going to Nathula today. So after a small discussion we decided to book for Nathula Pass tonight after sightseeing Gangtok. We inquired about going to North Sikkim, but the authorities stated that North Sikkim, including zero point and all are closed for 2 weeks, due to land slides. AHHH! Its over. So we don't have any other choice rather than to roam around the City. Last night we saw some travel agent was offering "Explore South Sikkim for 600INR/day". We approached them. OH DAMN!!!The day's trip to South Sikkim had began before few minutes, we lost that too!!We were like, 'Where to go next'. Finally we planned to roam around Gangtok. There are a few points in Gangtok which we can cover within a day or half a day. Sightseeing in Gangtok includes 3 points, 5 points, 7 points and 10 points. We picked 10 points, the cost is around 1500INR for the cab. We paid the money to the agent and he called up some taxi guy, by around 9.45hrs we started our 10 points Gangtok sightseeing.
Here I will post each and every spots we visited during the day.

Point 1 - Bakthang Waterfalls.

We started our journey from the town by around 9.45hrs. It's just a 10 min drive from the City to Bakthang waterfalls. Its a wonderful waterfalls located 3km North of Gangtok. There is also a rope sliding for the young and energetic guys, it will cost you around 100INR. We didn't had time for that, so we just spend sometime near the waterfalls and took some photographs.

Bakthang Waterfalls

Prayer flags around the waterfalls

Point 2 : Tinkye Gojang Monastery

Situated near Tashi View Point, a 10 minute drive from Bakthang Waterfalls. This is a Nyingmapa monastery and inside this monastery one can see the idol of Guru Padmasambhava. Photography inside the monastery is not allowed. There are 3 statues of Guru Padmasambhava and is huge in size. Few Buddhist monks were praying inside the hall. Outside the monastery there is a vast area almost like a helipad. And a great place for photography too.

Gateway to the Monastery

The School

Spectacular view from The Monastery

Do you see the Helicopter :P

Tinkye Gojang Monastery

Point 3 : Tashi View Point

Located 8kms from Gangtok, and is famous for the early morning views of the Kanchenjunga. It's located above some restricted Army area. Thankfully there are no entrance fees, but you have to pay 10INR for parking.

Protected Area near Tashi View Point

The steps towards Tashi View Point

Beautiful, isn't it?

Point 4 - Lhasa falls

We could see very few tourist stop at this location. I don't know whether this one is really included in the list or not. There are 2 small shops near to the waterfalls. We had 2-3 plates of Panipuri and Coconut pieces from there. YUKKKK !

Point 5 - Plant Conservatory

Beautiful garden ^_^.

Top of the Garden

Parking Lot outside Plant Conservatory

Point 6 : Ganesh Tok

Just 3km away from The garden, Ganesh tok is located at an alititude of 6500ft. Ganesh Tok is one of the most famous Ganesh temple of Gangtok. It is also famous as a view point of Gangtok city. The temple is situated on top of a small elevated hill. Near by the temple there are a lot of pine trees.

Ganesh Temple

Gangtok Downtown

Point 7 : Hanuman Tok

From the Incredible India tourist facilitation center one have to take the left direction to reach Hanuman tok. It's the best place for getting the views of Kanchenjunga on a clear sky day. Located at an altitude of 7200ft. From the parking lot you have to climb some meters up for reaching the main temple. It is believed that Lord Hanuman took rest for a moment at this place when he was on his way to Lanka. The entire area is maintained by Indian Army. From the balcony one can get some spectacular views.

Steps towards the Temple

Hare Ram!!

Point 8 : Flower Exhibition centre

On our way back to Gangtok, we halted this exhibition center for 20 minutes. From the Nathula-Gangtok highway there is a short cut to Gangtok, this flower exhibition center is located on that road. The entrance fee is 20INR/head. The center is a big hall like structure. We spend some time taking photographs inside the hall. Here are some:

And then it comes, RAINNN!

Point 9 :  Gangtok Rope way

This is the last point as per terms. Rope way is one of the main tourist attraction in Gangtok. It started its operations way back in 2003. While we entered inside for taking tickets we witnessed there is a huge que in front of the ticket counter. And lots of people were waiting in the hall too. One of their family members come and take ticket for the whole group. Tickets are issued only once a round trip is completed. The Gondola can carry upto 24 passengers per trip. We waited there for almost 50mins for our turn. The ticket cost is around 110INR per head. It's a worth watching!. Actually there are no seats in the cable car, you have to stand. Two way ride takes upto 20mins.

Point 10 : Some unknown View point.

Its located 100mts away from the cable car.

En route to view point I was able to capture this ^_^ OH DEARRR!

So after completing a half day trip we started walking towards MG Marg for enquiring about our trip to Nathula. By the time it was around 14.50hrs. And we were hungry. We had food from a street shop, I guess it was Vegetable Friedrice costing 50INR. After completing it we started to enquire about Nathula once again. It seems no one is interested in giving Nathula permit. We made a mistake once again, we should have booked in the morning itself. So we were almost sure that we won't be able to make it to the Nathula Pass. So we decided to go to Baba Mandir and Tsomgo Lake. One of the travel agents told us he will arrange our trip for 400INR. He asked us to come at night for advance payment. So we decided to come back in the evening. We went back to our lodge and slept for a few hours.
So it was around 19.00hrs we again came back to MG Marg. The other agent asked us to report by 20.00hrs(for Baba Mandir, Tsomgo lake). So we have one more hour left. In the meantime we planned to search for some co-travelers and if possible to arrange permits for Nathula. We met one South Indian family in the street, they shared their experiences from the Baba mandir and Tsomgo lake. They visited the mandir and lake on Monday, and as I told Nathula is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 'Will there be any snow' was the question I asked them, and Yes was their reply ^_^. Nathula is just 2-4km away from Baba Mandir and agents charge extra 400INR for that(200INR is the permit fee). And we were back to the street in search of our trip. We found out a travel agent company named Sunflower or Sunrise(not remembering though). They were ready to take us to Nathula, Mandir and Lake. But per cab is 7500INR.! We were just of three and we couldn't afford that amount. Later, a couple also approached them, they were also planning for a shared trip. They were OK with us for the shared trip. Now we are of 5, again the rate is 7,500. So we decided to wait some more time in search of co-travelers. Once again, one south Indian family came into the picture, it was very rare to see South Indians over there. They were also in search of co-travelers. So now in total we are of 10, and the rate is 7,500. DONEE ! We were happy for a moment. Later when we approached the agent, he replied "BOOKING CLOSED". WTFF! One again! So we decided to kick off Nathula from our map :P.
We went back to the other agency, whom offered us 400INR for Baba Mandir and Tsomgo Lake. He asked us 2 passport size photos and a copy of Identity card. As I read previously in some blogs, I was aware of it. We gave all the docs n we got the receipts. He arranged the trip for the next day morning starting at 8.30hrs.
Later, we went back to MG Marg and had dinner from there. Thereafter a small shopping. It was raining heavily outside. We didn't took the cameras and mobile phones.
After a boring day we went back to our lodge.

Day 9

Baba Mandir, Tsomgo Lake

The day is here!. We woke up early today, not lazy as yesterday. The agent asked us to be at the office before 8.00hrs. We reached earlier than the time he mentioned :P. We waited around the corner for co-passengers, once again it was raining outside. Rain- one of the worst thing while exploring and the best thing while at home. After few minutes we were taken to the taxi stand with the driver, and I saw almost 100-200 cabs parked inside the stand. I was thinking how will this guy manage to take his cab out from this huge block. We were asked to wait for the co-passengers, some of them were yet to arrive. Time flew away, after few boring minutes the cab was filled with passengers. This time we got a bigger one, its a 12 seater cab. I reserved the front seats this time, to make sure I could catch some nice snaps. My friends were seated in the last row. In between Two families were there. So total of 10 passengers, 2 was still vacant. It was almost 9.30hrs when driver took the cab away from the taxi stand. It was still raining heavily in Gangtok city. So today we will cover the oldest Silk route, Baba Mandir and Tsomgo Lake.

In between the rain vanished away, and thankfully it didn't turn around again for the whole day. We reached the first check post by around 10.45hrs. One should submit the copy of the permits over there. I saw lot of cars waiting near the checkpost. Some time wasted over there. As we move forward the que was also becoming bigger. But thankfully we could take some photographs of the nature in the meantime. The roads were mostly bad and there are a lot of construction work going on all through the way. Since the roads are narrow, if some trucks or jeep comes in opposite direction, there will be a huge block. The trucks were mostly army vehicles.

Check post

Tourist Facilitation Centre

Tsomgo Lake ticket pass

Huge rows of cabs heading towards Tsomgo Lake

After taking a small break we departed from KyangnolsaVillage at around 12:00hrs. During the break we had one plate of Chowmein each. It cost around 50INR per plate. We continued our journey to Baba Mandir.

Road Condition :/

So after a short journey, we arrived at our first destination Baba Mandir. Baba Mandir is just 4km away from Nathula Pass. Before coming here, we had a thought of walking to Nathula from Baba Mandir, but after reaching here we confirmed its impossible. First thing is the climate problem and then the permit problem :P. Cold wind and a mix of rain drops, we were frozen like anything. As we were inside the car, we didn't feel much of cold. But when we got down from the car, we were like 'we wanna go back'. It was around Minus-2. As we are not used to it, we couldnt bear it for the first time, but we managed somehow after few minutes. From a long distance we could view a Shiva idol. It was huge. And there is a waterfall near to it. Such a stunning view to say. A photographers favorite place. The driver dropped us and asked us to come back in half hour, as there was no parking area and due to heavy rush Police didn't allow any cars to park in the nearby area.
So at first we entered the new Baba mandir. Baba Mandir is dedicated to 'Baba Harbhajan Singh', who was a Soldier of the Indian Army. He died near Nathula Pass. Two Shrines have been built over there.
After coming out from the Baba Mandir, we started moving towards the Shiva Idol. The Idol is of 12ft height, and the highest located Shiva idol, made of fiber glass material. It's almost 600mtr from Baba Mandir, but takes around 10-20 mins to reach there. Such was the climate. Behind the idol is the waterfall named Namnang chho.

Shiva Idol from a distance

Baba Mandir entrance

That's me :P

After spending some time out there we decided to go back. Luckily, we could find the cab easily, and surprisingly the co-passengers were waiting for us. They didn't go nearby the idol as the climate was beyond minus degree. Moving out from Baba Mandir, we asked our driver to stop by some place where we can play with snow. And yes, he did. So we did got a chance to play with Snow for sometime and we utilized it completely ^_^.

After a small drive, we reached Tsomgo Lake. The area was crowded, With many yaks too. For taking a picture with Yak and for sitting on it, they charge 50INR. For a round they charge 500INR or something.
The lake surrounding was crowded, as most of the return vehicles to Gangtok stop over there. We spend some time taking pictures over there and returned back to car.

"About Tsomgo Lake"
- Also known as Changu lake, situated 40kms away from Gangtok
- Elevation 12300ft
- 'Tso' means Lake and 'Mgo' means Head.
- Lake surface reflects different colours with the change of season.

We departed from Tsomgo lake by around 16.30hrs. We faced small traffic jam while returning. Those blocks really helped me to take some beautiful pictures.

So finally we were back to Gangtok city after a wonderful journey. That brings a happy ending to the city of Gangtok. We had to reach New Jalpaiguri by that night, and as it was around 18.30hrs, probably the state running buses would have finished their day trips. So there is only one way, approaching Shared taxis. As I read in blogs, shared taxis will end their trip before 18.00hrs. So for a plan B, we wrote down the number of the driver. He quoted a charge of 2700INR to NJP in Innova. Well, that was cheap, where others quoted a rate of 3700INR for the same car.
No matter what, it was still raining in Gangtok city. We hired a taxi for dropping us and lodge and from there to the Deorali taxi stand. We checked out from the hotel and with a smiling face the hotel management blessed us ^_^. It was around 19.00hrs when we reached Deorali Stand. Thankfully there were a lot of Shared cars leaving towards New Jalpaiguri. We booked the taxi leaving first from the stand and that brings an End to our Sikkim journey.
Many people doesn't know much about Sikkim tourism. As per my opinion, Gangtok is one the cleanest cities in India. There are a lot of destinations in Sikkim. And it takes at least a month to cover all those. North Sikkim is the best among those, where you have Lachung, Lachen, Zero Point, Gurudongmar Lake. I have one suggestion for Indians visiting Kashmir, please consider Sikkim as an alternative. Its really beautiful.

Bye bye to Sikkim, which gave us a handful of memories.

Tips and Suggestions

-          You will need photo ID proof (PAN card not accepted) and two passport size photos each If you are travelling to Baba Mandir, Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass. -          Nathula Pass – Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. -          Best time to Visit Nathula pass is from May to October. -          Temperature can go below -25c. Wear Jackets, Socks, and Handgloves. -          Photography not permitted in protected areas in and around the state, includes Nathula Pass too. -       Be prepared for Altitude sickness. Carry your medications.

RATES Ø  Private taxi rates to Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir, Tsomgo lake varies from 6500INR to 9000INR. Depends upon the car. Ø  Shared Jeeps to Nathula, Baba Mandir, Tsomgo Lake – 800INR per head. Ø  Shared Jeeps to Baba Mandir, Tsomgo Lake- 400INR per head. Ø  Room rent for the day @ Kasturi Hotel – 1100INR Ø  Shared cab from Gangtok to New Jalpaiguri – 200INR per head