India Guide
Sikkim
Gangtok
Capital of Sikkim, the overgrown hill-town of GANGTOK (1870m) occupies a rising ridge in the southeast of the state, on what used to be a busy trade route into Tibet. Due to rapid development and new wealth, an ugly assortment of concrete multistorey buildings is growing virtually unchecked, and the town retains only a few traditional Sikkimese elements. However, a short amble soon leads you away from the hectic central market area, while longer walks out into the surrounding countryside provide glimpses of the full grandeur of the Himalayas. On a good day, you can see Kanchenjunga and the fluted pyramid of Siniolchu.
Although modern Gangtok epitomizes the recent changes in Sikkimese culture and politics, its Buddhist past is the root of its appeal for visitors, evident in the collection at the Institute of Tibetology and the charming Enchey Monastery, as well as the impressive Rumtek Monastery, 24km east of town. However, the palace used by the chogyals between 1894 and 1975 is now out of bounds, occupied by the new regime and not acknowledged as part of Sikkimese heritage. Sikkim's pride and joy, the orchid, is nurtured at several sites in and around Gangtok, and celebrated at the Flower Show Complex near White Hall, the governor's residence on the ridge above town.
Trekking and tour operators
1 Blue Sky Tours & Travels Tourism Building, MG Marg
03592/225113 Very helpful agency which specializes in Jeep safaris, particularly North Sikkim Jeep itineraries.
2 Himalayan Footprints Pineli Cottage, Upper Syari
09832 091078 
www.abouthimalayas.com Excels in nature tours and treks off the beaten track in East Sikkim, and specializes in village homestays.
3 Khangri Tours & Treks Tibet Road
03592/226050 www.khangri.com Owner Tsering Dorjee is an experienced trekking guide and a keen amateur botanist who can arrange cultural and monastic tours and treks throughout Sikkim, and who pioneered routes like the soft trek to Tosar Lake. Recommended.
4 Marcopolo World Travels PS Road
03592/204116 www.worldmarcopolo.com The experienced Karma Tashi runs a flexible and reliable tour operation; offerings include high-altitude treks and Jeep safaris to North Sikkim.
5 Namgyal Treks & Tours Tibet Road
03592/203701 www.namgyaltreks.net Namgyal Sherpa is a highly capable and experienced high-altitude trek and expedition operator, recognized by both the Sikkim and Central Government tourist offices.
6 Pardick PS Road
09434 444837 Inexpensive but reliable trek operator that is often used for outsourcing by the bigger agencies.
7 Sikkim Adventure 6th Mile, Tadong
03592/251250 
sikkimorchid@hotmail.com Sailesh Pradhan runs a plant nursery and is an extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic botanist and specialist guide for trips focused around Sikkim's rich flora.
8 Sikkim Tours & Travels Church Road
03592/202188 www.sikkimtours.com Owner Lukendra is tremendously helpful and experienced, and specializes in nature tours and photography, bird-watching, homestays and treks.
9 Siniolchu Limbu Bhavan, DPH Road
09434 024572 A long-established operator who also specializes in monsoon treks along the Singalila Ridge.
10 Tashila Tours and Travels Below TNSS School Hall
03592/229842 www.tashila.com Experienced operator offering trekking, mountain-biking and river-rafting expeditions, as well as yak safaris, angling and monastery tours.
11 Vajra Adventure Tours Kyitsel House, Arithang Road
03592/229676 slg_vatours@sancharnet.in A very competitively priced and reliable operator, good for transport and treks; the owner comes from Tsokha near Dzongri, and specializes in treks in the area.
12 Yak & Yeti Zero Point, NH-31A
09233 522344 www.yaknyeti.com Experienced, reliable and well-equipped expedition specialists in mountaineering; treks available too.