Gangtok Experience: Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim can easily be called the Switzerland of India. A place surrounded by snow clad mountains of the Himalayas is easily approachable by road either from Siliguri Railway station or from Bagdogra Airport. The climate is very pure. We visited Nathu La from Gangtok, which the border point between India and China. The air was thin there and the oxygen was less but after drinking a coffee cup, we became comfortable. After a long day journey on mountaneous road maintained by Border Road Organisation, we came to the hotel totally tired. We visited some Buddhist Monastries in Gangtok. They were marvellous and reminded us about our rich Indian tradition. We spent two days in Gangtok and these two days will remain in our memories throughout our lives.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping: The food at the hotel was very sumptuous. We were vegetarians but we got all we wanted to eat. We ate at our hotel only and did not go outside. Nathu La, the border point of India and China was the main attraction of our stay.There was a mandir in the name of a Late Havaldar of Indian army and it is firm belief of the local army persons that the Late Havaldar's spirit comes to the mandir on certain days of the month and blesses the devotees. All the famous brand shops of garments, shoes, cosmetics were there. We purchased lichis, mangoes from the local market. We liked corns very much. There were full of grains and sweet in taste. After putting a lot of leamon and black salt they are worth tasty and should not be missed during the vist to Gangtok.
Activities & things to do: Rafting on river Teesta should not be missed. Some places bungy jumping was also available on way to Gangtok but river rafting was marvellous.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: As mentioned earlier you can either go to Siliguri Railway Station from Kolkata or go to Bagdogra Airport either from Guwahati or from New Delhi by Spicejet flights and from each of these places, you will have to proceed to Gangtok by road which normally takes around four to five hours if you go at ease stoppoing at some points taking snaps. The driver should be familiar with mountain driving because you may get stuck up at some places because of the fallen boulders from the hills and also because at some places the road is too thin.
