Gangtok - Gangtok is the capital city of the state Sikkim in India. It is the north east India. Gangtok is situated at an elevation 1437 meters / 4716 feet in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range. Gangtok became popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after Enchey Monastery was constructed in 1840. In the year 1894, the ruling Sikkim’s Chogyal namely Thutob Namgyal transferred the capital to Gangtok from Yuksom. In the early 20th century, Gangtok became a major stop over on the trade route (Nathu La and Jelep La pass) between Lhasa in Tibet and Kolkata (then Calcutta) during the British India rule. During Indian Independence in 1947, Sikkim remained an independent monarchy. In the year 1975, after the integration with the union of India, Sikkim was made the twenty-second state. Gangtok is a now the center of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning with the several monasteries, religious educational institutions and centers for Tibetology. The state is nestled amongst peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the towns. Mount Kanchenjunga at an elevation of 8598 meters / 28208 feet, the third-highest peak of the world is visible from various locations of the state. Gangtok is the center of tourism activity now. Lachen, Lachung, Mangan, Chungthang, Yumthang, Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley, Tsomgo Lake or Chhangu Lake, Nathu La Pass  are accessible from Gangtok. Chopper service, Local sightseeing, North Sikkim Tour are arranged from here.  A stroll along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg is a delight - Hotels, restaurants, curios, footwear and almost everything is available. Gangtok shows that the bubble of modernization has burst with a bang in the town. The capital is definitely not behind the rest of the world in terms of urbanization - roads, flyovers, markets, state-of-art hospital, educational institutes, fast food outlets, discothèques and all other modern amenities that the heart can desire for. Monastery tour, Religious tour, cultural show, Biking, Birding, etc can be arranged at Sikkim especially from Gangtok

 

Rumtek - Rumtek also called the Dharma chakra centre is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located nearly twenty five kilometres from Gangtok city center. The monastery was originally built by the 9^th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorjee in 16^th century in the same time as Phodong Monastery and Ralang Monastery with the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the Indian government. Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. In 1959 the 16th Karmapa arrived in Sikkim, after fleeing Tibet. The site possessed many auspicious qualities and is surrounded by flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front with a river below.

 

With the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the Indian government the place is well preserved and the luxuriously sprawling green landscape with a mild weather, smiling people, traditions that touch the conscience and the beautiful monastery, there is some important Buddhist institutions also in the place.

Rumtek is nearly 25 kilometres from Gangtok in Sikkim. It is the seat of his holiness, the XVI^th Gyawla Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism.  The nearest airport to Gangtok is at Bagdogra nearly 125 kilometres and the nearest railhead is at Siliguri nearly 120 kilometres and New Jalpaiguri Railway station about 126 kilometres.

 

Rumtek is a famous monastery, all over the world, especially among the Tibetan Buddhists; it includes a beautiful shrine temple and a monastery for the monks. The place got an existence in the Buddhist pilgrimage map, especially after Chinese habitation in Tibet and subsequent relocations of some Tibetan religious gurus to Sikkim. Offbeat destinations have limited hotels, resorts or home stay hence early bookings are solicited. Vehicle for sightseeing, Stay and Transfer are all arranged by us hence to avoid disappointment.

Saramsa - Saramsa Garden is an open to public and is approximately 14 kilometres east of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, India. It was established in 1922, the garden has served a variety of purposes. The Main purpose was growing different fruits like pineapple, guava, varieties of oranges and lychee for the British Political officer and the Palace, the garden developed into a main center for introduction of fruits.

 

From growing fruit for the local colonial officers and it continued the practice of growing fruits till 1940, it later became known for cultivating the medicinal plant Ipecacuanha, the Forest Department introduced ipecacuanha from Zohore in Malaysia. and much later the garden hosted the International Flori Show, an event promoted by the Government of Sikkim to promote the region as a centre of floriculture. For this reason the garden is also known as Ipecac Garden. When the growing of ipecacuanha was discontinued, the garden was repurposed as an orchidarium and a recreational garden for picnickers. In 2008, the garden hosted the International Floriculture Show, attracting 50,000 visitors on each of its three days. Saramsa Garden / Ipecac Garden is nestled between the hill slopes of Gangtok and Pakyong. Offbeat destinations have limited hotels, resorts or home stay hence early bookings are solicited. Vehicle for sightseeing, Stay and Transfer are all arranged by us hence to avoid disappointment.