Gangtok Trevia

City View

Scenic Beauty

Rumtak

Frozen lake

wow wow wow.

Greeting Gui's.

It has been a real hectic and difficult year 10-11. Moving to a new market, meeting new people wow I really lost track of my time and it just flew by. I was just admiring myself in a mirror on Monday and saw some strands of gray hair Indra Gandhi style. I am still believing it’s not my age but the pace of work I am into. (No one says he is getting old hahaha).

I am thankful to my organization who takes us to different places for our quarterly meets and review (which is not happening now due to cost cutting hehehe).

One of such a trip took me to Gangtok last year. I was going through some travel mags lately and saw that the tourism department of India is trying to promote the 9 sisters. i think my experience would add up to the tourism flow to these destination.

Gangtok is situated in shivalik Hills at an altitude of 1437 Mtrs and a population of 30k beautiful and attractive people i mean it literally. a great Buddhist destination and exceptionally beautiful. It has a great culture as well.

Our journey started from Mumbai and took us to Bagdogra airport. From bagdogra it is 4 hours of drive. I agree it would be tiring but the fun starts after we reach there. We were put up in a property by the name of Mayfair. A pretty nice property. In mumbai we are not used to such low temperatures. Luckily for me I am from Jammu so I could Handel it. The first night went on with a great cocktail dinner, dance and bonfire. We spent the night meeting the team members and having drinks and great food.

The next morning came in with a pleasant surprise. Our room over looked a lush green hill and attractive city below. The experience was great and refreshing. The rooms were great spacious and beautifully decorated. View out of the balcony was too mesmerizing. I really felt excited like a kid to explore the property as well as the city.

After our review we were informed that we would be going out to the highest point of the city which is also a border of China and India. It’s actually called nathula pass. nathula pass is an Ind0 China Trade route situated 56 Km from the city. The best part is that it is at an altitude of 14,200 feats. Wow. You also get a certificate for visiting this highest point from the Indian Army. Make sure you don't over eat when you are going there. The road is beautiful and very colorful. Yes of course it needs continues repair and development. The road was serpentine up the hills and we were all enjoying the visual treat. You would be able to see frozen lakes, great colorful trees and not to mention snow on the way. its fun to stop and play snowball fighting. The movement we reached the nathula pass there was a great feeling of a proud Indian in the heart. The army personals stay at that height for 6 to seven months at a stretch just to make sure that people stay safe and sleep peacefully every month. We saw our army strongly guarding the borders. Most of them are from Bihar and neighboring states of India. We also got the opportunity to see the Chinese army on the other side. No hard feelings for them "India China Bhai bhai". On a hill near by the Indian army had painted the signer of "Mera Bharat Mahan".

Our next stop was Tsomga Lake. Ask a local of the lake he/she might get confused. The lake is popularly known as Chhangu lake. Another great point situated at 12000 fts. It can be best visited on the way down to city from nathula Pass. It is said that all the lakes get the water from this lake. You need special permission from the government or army to visit nathula and the starting point of the lake. Hotels can do that for you. Mind it no foreigners allowed. The best part is to literally walking on the lake as it was frozen.

Few of our team mates preferred going back to city and rest opted for menam Hills which is at 10300 fts. The view from the hill is really breath taking and great one. You laterally feel like you are in the top of the world. Knchan junga can be seen clearly from the point. If you are Lucky and the day is clear and sunny i can vouch that you would be able to see plans of bengal spanning across kalimpong and Darjeeling hills in south. We couldn't as it was cloudy day. Don’t worries about buying a souvenir you will have enough opportunities for the same. The day was a a good one as we closed it again with a gala dinner at the cost of the company.

We also had an opportunity to visit MG Marg in the city which is a beautifully shopping area. The movement you enter MG marg you are greeted with colorful artifacts tastily decorated shops. your bargaining skills will be properly utilized at this place. If shopping doesn't appease you can surly indulge in some stroll on the marg or enjoy great food all in the same place.

One most important place that i shouldn't miss to mention is the Rumtak Monastery. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the city. it is also known as the Dharmachakra Centre. A flowing stream, Mountain behind, a snow range in front, and a river below gives a positive vibes to the place. The monastery is so bright and colorful that it make a perfect Kodak or Canon picture. The budha inside is also so beautiful that you need to visit it personally and see it. Words cannot express it.

As our meeting was for the weekend. We didn’t have the luxury of time as a result we had to be satisfied from what all we could see.

Other than what i saw and visited there are many more places to see and enjoy. All you need to have is Time. You can visit Himalayan Zoological park, pamayangtse Monastery, khecheopalri lake, Ganesh Tok and many more places.

We checked out of our hotel and moved to bagdogra. The 4 hours of drive was also an experience in its own. The day we came to the city it was dark and we missed out on the visual treats on the way. The return was great. Teesta River was going along with us all the way till the outskirts. Teesta is a beautiful river which makes such beautiful places on its route that you are forced to click the river or record its great flow.

Moved back to Mumbai yarning to get more of Gangtok on my next trip this time with family and friends with more time in hand.