Trekking in Gangtok

By Air: The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra and is at a distance of 126 kms from there. You can take private taxis from Bagdogra. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra by road.

By Train: New Jalpaiguri railway station is the nearest railway station to Gangtok and is located at a distance of around 148 kms. From here, you can get a taxi service very easily at an affordable cost.

By Road: Frequent bus services are available from Siliguri and Bagdogra to Gangtok. These provide for an inexpensive medium of tour. You may also opt to go by taxi or car which may provide an additional advantage of stopping at places you feel like.

- YambongSingalila Trek: Yambong in Singalia presents amazing trekking experiences in Sikkim. This region consists of beautiful flora and fauna.

- North Sikkim High Altitude Trek: The northern part of Sikkim is less explored. It consists of Mt. Khangchendzonga. The altitude is as high as 5250 mts and the treks are difficult.

- Versay Trek: Situated between Singalila National Park in the South and the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve in the North, this trek provides a scenic marvel in full bloom. It gives a 180 degree view of the nearby mountains.

- Dzongri Trek: This is one of the finest treks in India and is a difficult one, even for the experienced trekkers. It provides one of the most beautiful sights of the surrounding mountains.

- Green lake trek in Gangtok: Situated near Lanchen, this trek provides a mesmerising view of Kanchenjunga. The trek to Green Lake is a splendid walk with a variety of flowers like rhododendrons, blue poppies and primulas all in bloom.

Some of the famous trekking spots suitable for hiking in summers are:

- Rumtek Monastery Trek
- Tashi viewpoint
- Zemu Chu green lake area
- LhabaTarumTsachu Trek
- Tosar Lake trek
- Dzongri Trek
- Tholung trek
- Singalila Ridge Trek

Yes, it is completely safe to trek in Gangtok. Gangtok attracts tourists and pilgrims throughout the year. However, there are many treks that are difficult in nature and might require expert guidance and additional safety precautions.

Some of the tips are to exchange the money at authorised dealing shops and always ask for a receipt. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Keep your documents handy while travelling, majorly your passport. Always carry a map even when you are with a guide. Do not leave cash or valuables in cars or taxis and majorly do not trust strangers.

Goecha La Trek is one of the highest peaks in India, trailing through Mount Kanchenjunga which has a height of 28169 ft. or 8586 metres. Goecha La is anothermost beautiful Himalayan treklocation, famous for its spectacular views of mountain peaks, especially the southwest side of Mount Kanchenjunga.

It is the third highest peak standing in the whole world and can be seen from the top of Goecha La. Apart from this, you can enjoy a beguiling view of 14 other mountain peaks from Goecha La. Goecha La trek has a distance of 90 km which have to be covered in a period of few days, but it is expected to become easy to hike, once you get a grip of it.

Goecha La is one of the most popular treks in the Himalayas. You can access the road to this trek by motorbikes. The trek initiates from Yuksom, and the best time to plan your trek here is in the month of May.

Drench in the greenery of the Kanchenjunga National Park and discover the fine variety of trees and fauna. Although, it is quite challenging to cover the required distance in one day, the hike gets easier as you go.

This is one of the famous short heightened treks in Gangtok. It is comparatively low in altitude than its peer, Goecha La. This trek initiates from Yuksom and ends at Yuksom.

Offering the pristine views of meadows and grasslands, this trekking destination is a traveller’s dream and is often called as ‘walking in paradise’. It will cost you around 20,000 INR. Plan a trip to hike up this trek which can be done in a period of 10 days.

Yes, of course, Singalila Ridge Trek can be done. It is a moderately difficult trek situated at an elevation of 3695 m, which is rising steadily to the mountains of Kanchenjunga. You can witness a picturesque view of four out of world’s tallest peaks from atop the ridge. It is almost a 2 day trek to Singalilaridge .  You can indulge in a camping activity on your Sandakphu trek with parts in Nepal and parts of India, as they say, ‘Mountains know no boundaries’.

However, this trek has stretched views of forests, rhododendrons and magnolias. The trek of  Singalila ridge can be done in two rounds or twice in a year. Each season offers a unique experience to the trekker. You will witness seasonal wildflowers blooming in the summers and snow patches on your trail in winters.

Tholung trek in the North Sikkim is famous for its alluring rivers, lakes and tropical forests. This trek leads to lower valleys of ice cap mountains where you can sight grazing Yaks and cows. Walk through tea plantations, hillocks and monasteries.

It is graded as an easy trek which is not very lengthy. This trekking trail has an elevation of 12000 ft but can be stretched to 15000 ft. It is usually a 5-7 days trek.

Green Lake Trek initiates from the beautiful Thangu valley and is situated at the base camp of Mt. Khangchendzonga. It is a melodious trek of North Sikkim, perched on the Zemu Glacier which passes through the meadows of the World Heritage Site of Kanchendzonga National Park. 

Green Lake base camp is more than 5,000 metres above sea level and is totally worth experiencing.

Mount Khangchendzonga is the third highest peak in the whole world and this moderately difficult trek is less than 4,000 ft to 16, 400 ft in height. This is full of musk deer and leopards. Get a stunning view of ice formations and Magnolia and Rhododendron trees. The best times for this trek are mid-March through April into early May. Also from October into mid-November.

Tosar Lake is one of the popular hiking locations, bounded by Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet and is situated at the confluence of the Chola Range and the Mangan Ridge. It is a moderately difficult pass which makes its way through the forests of broad leaved plants and bamboos, temperate forests of conifer and moist alpine and rhododendron.

The Versay Trek is a popular trek starting at Bagdogra and ending at the beautiful Versay crossing the areas of Hilley and Soreng. It is a famous trek known for blooming rhododendrons. 

Hilley is the most accessible place from where Versay is just 4 km away and this trek is also graded as a soft trek. The best time to visit Varsey is during the springtime which comprises of the months from April and May when the whole area turns really beautiful.

Yes, you will stay in camps during your trek session in Gangtok. Explore the daunting mountain slopes, dance around a campfire and go on a star watching experience during your Gangtok hike. You will find unique locations for your stay while trekking in Gangtok. During the hike at various sites you get to choose between spending a night gazing at stars or book a luxurious villa to stay in.

Make that scrumptious meal over barbeque grills. Apparently, camps will be there in most of the treks but it’s always advisable to check the dates before booking, also collect information about camping facility in a particular trek.

Tents will be spacious enough to accommodate up to 3 people. The tents will be waterproof, lightweight and equipped with comfortable sleeping mats or beds, compost toilets and hand basins. Stay in tents with insulated mats and sleeping bags, experience bonfire and music in the evenings.

The things you must carry while going for trekking in Gangtok include:

• Walking stick
• Map
• Binoculars
• Sleeping bag
• Hiking shoes
• Woolen clothes
• Water, juices and energy drinks
• Easy to eat snacks
• Electric torch
• Scissors
• Sunglasses
• Medical kit : equipped with medicines for motion sickness, fever and food poisoning
• A good compass
• An extra pair of clothes

As stated earlier, Gangtok is a safe tourist destination. It is situated in Sikkim and has been rewarded as the safest state in the whole of India for girls. Thus, it is completely secure for a solo female trekker. As for girls, trekking is extremely safe. The vendors have highest regards for women safety and will ensure that they're safe during the entire trek. If there is only one girl in the trip, then she will be provided with a single tent to sleep alone. If there are more girls, then they can sleep under one tent.

Always make sure that you are never left on your own. Understand your pace and be with the group.

Usually, all the lodges provide proper blankets and sleeping bags with efficient insulation and soft inner fabric. You will be provided with proper and comfortable sleeping mats. These will be long foamed mats on which a person can sleep with ease. These mats will help insulate your body from the cold ground.

Although, it is still better to carry your own synthetic sleeping bags during the trek as you can experience rainfall or snowfall.