All adventure junkies have one thing in common -we are all crazy! And we know that someone who does not share the same love for adventure would never understand the joy of riding up the mountains on a Royal Enfield or soaring through the winds with a stunning view down below or taming the ruthless white waters of a river!
People around me think I am crazy and that one day I would get myself killed, but hey, I can scale a mountain faster than your leisurely lawn walks! Before the lockdown was imposed, I had taken a trip to Gangtok. And because I do “absurd things”, I thought I would write a blog to make people like myself happy in “absurd ways!”
If you have never been to Gangtok, it is a small state in the North-Eastern corner of India. It is one of India’s cleanest states and also the base of some really interesting treks in this part of the country. Now more and more adventure junkies have started ditching north India to explore the unexplored terrains of Gangtok for some mind-blasting adventure. Book Savaari’s reliable taxi service in Gangtok for the places mentioned in this article, as they are spread out.
Here’s an adventure junkie’s guide to an epic time in Gangtok.
But before we discuss all the cool things you can do in Gangtok, it is important to know the best time to explore this north-eastern paradise. I went to Gangtok sometime in January, which is a great time to be there. So for those of you looking for a great escape, Gangtok is amazing from October to February.
Glide through the mountains
I know a lot of you are not going to agree to this, but Gangtok is, in my opinion, the best destination for paragliding now. Yes, Manali! Yes, Bir Billing! Sure, they are great too. But with Gangtok’s entry into this club, you get to enjoy some stunning aerial views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga. You can either opt for the medium flight where you paraglide at an elevation of 1400 m, or you can take the high flight that takes you up to 2000 m. A paragliding expert will guide you through this for your safety.
A trek to remember – Goeche La trek
One of my favourite things to do in Gangtok. Standing at an altitude of 4939 meters, Goeche La trek is special for reasons more than one! The stunning landscape of the Himalayan ranges standing tall and proud in front of you will fill your spirits with life. Ask me again, and I’d pack my bags just for those unimaginably grand views. I walked up those winding trails soaking in all the silence and wilderness, and that’s not the only best part about this amazing trek. It is only here that you can cherish and admire not just the majestic Kanchenjunga, but also the other 14 big summits, such as Mt. Pandim, Mt. Thingchinkhang, Mt. Jopuno.
Explore the Silk Route on a bike
One of the best things about taking this excursion is that the Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan mountain ranges will accompany you throughout the excursion. There are many agencies which take care of this excursion and the guides will help you get in touch with one of them. My guide helped me with this too. The cycling starts at Sillery Gaon. I availed a licensed car rental with a driver in Gangtok to reach here. Passing through the various villages experiencing the sheer beauty of the countryside, the impressive flora and fauna and lifestyle of the people in Sikkim refuse to fade away from the memory.
Unmissable cable ride
Mood for some light fun? Gangtok offers a cable ride that blesses our vision with nothing but the best of North-East. But here’s a little problem, during the peak season these cars are in every case completely reserved and you may have to wait for hours to be able to enjoy a ride. Ensure that you book this ride well in advance. The whole ride is 1 km long and has three stations. You can get down at any of the three stations – Deorali, Namnang, and Tashiling, for little fun and sightseeing.
