Explore Gangtok

Gangtok sits at 1,650 metres on a ridge in the Himalayan foothills of Sikkim, with Kanchenjunga-the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 metres-visible on clear mornings from the eastern edge of the city. The view is not incidental. Sikkim's relationship with Kanchenjunga is spiritual: the mountain is considered the protective deity of Sikkim, and the annual Kanchenjunga festival in October-November involves masked dances and prayers across the kingdom's major monasteries. Understanding Gangtok properly means understanding that this is a Buddhist kingdom-one of only two (with Bhutan) in the Himalayan belt-with a living monastic tradition that shapes every aspect of public life. Rumtek Monastery, 24 kilometres from Gangtok, is the largest Buddhist monastery in Sikkim and the seat of the Kagyu lineage outside Tibet-one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery holds a collection of sacred objects removed from Tibet during the Chinese occupation, and the annual Kagyu Monlam prayer festival draws monks from across the Himalayan region. Alike's complimentary monastery circuit covers Rumtek with a Buddhist scholar guide who can contextualise what you are seeing beyond the architectural surface. Tsomgo Lake (also called Changu Lake) at 3,780 metres, 40 kilometres from Gangtok, is the highest lake accessible by road in eastern India. The lake is surrounded by high-altitude grassland that turns gold in autumn and snow-covered in winter. Yaks graze on the shoreline. The Protected Area Permit required for the Tsomgo excursion (all non-Sikkim residents require this) is arranged by Alike as part of every Gangtok package. Nathula Pass, at 4,310 metres on the old Silk Road between India and Tibet, is one of three open border trading points between India and China. The pass is accessible only with an additional permit beyond the standard Tsomgo permit-Alike handles both. The view from Nathula on clear days looks directly into Tibet's Chumbi Valley. The pass is open Tuesday to Sunday; road conditions vary significantly with season. The MG Marg pedestrian mall is Gangtok's social centre-a clean, well-managed walking street with restaurants, craft shops, and the best momos in Sikkim. The Lal Bazaar below it is where the vegetables, dried meat, and fermented yak products of Sikkimese cuisine are traded. Alike's curated food walk covers both with a guide who knows the difference between gundruk (fermented leafy greens), sel roti (rice ring doughnuts), and the various preparations of chhaang (millet beer) available in the market.