The 6 Best Adventure Activities to Do in Gangtok

[Keira Rose]

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, the landlocked state surrounded by mountains on three sides. Gangtok is a picturesque hill station lying in the lap of Eastern Himalayas, boasting of some breathtaking panoramic views. For most tourists who visit this hilly city, the sightseeing in Gangtok revolves around old Buddhist monasteries and high-altitude view points to witness the Kanchenjunga range. But beyond the lush green hills and snow-capped mountains, Gangtok is also one of the best adventure places in India. The hill station offers exciting adventure activities such as river rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, and more.

The calm and peace of the monasteries in Gangtok is not what you’re looking for. Are you in search of some thrill and adrenaline rush?

Below are a few adventurous things to try out in Gangtok.  

River Rafting:

Known as the lifeline of Sikkim, the Teesta River makes its way through the hills of Gangtok in raging speed and thundering currents. Teesta River and its major tributary, Rangeet River both have intense rapids ranging from Grade 1 to 4. They are sometimes called the best adventure places in India as rafting in these waters is said to be a memorable experience.  For a river rafting experience in Gangtok, the best place to start is from the nearby town of Makha. An 11 km long rafting route on the Teesta River starts from Makha to Rangpo going through Sirwani. You can feel the adrenaline coursing through your veins as raft your way through these mighty rapids. Also get a chance to witness the astounding views of the picturesque landscape that passes you along the river.

Paragliding:

With its snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys, Sikkim is slowly becoming a popular paragliding destination in India. Gangtok falls under one of the best adventure places in India where a tourist can witness some surreal views of the Himalayan valleys, picturesque ridges and quaint villages. What makes paragliding all the more attractive is one need not have any special skills. It can be attempted by everyone. The best spots for paragliding in Gangtok are: Baliman Dara for a Medium Fly from 1400 meters; and Reshithang village for a High Fly from 2200 meters. Imagine the adrenaline rush as you fly like a bird over the lush green valleys of Gangtok and its surroundings!

Mountain Biking:

Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, Gangtok has a rugged mountainous terrain which makes it a delightful treat for all mountain bikers. Sikkim is one of the best adventure places in India for mountain biking. There are countless biking trails in Sikkim, where one gets to interact with the local villagers and experience first-hand the culture and hospitality of the people there. Mountain biking in Gangtok is a great way to explore the lesser-known areas, away from the crowds of tourists. Most of the biking trails are carved in a way to cover the forests, villages, monasteries, rivers, waterfalls, and biodiversity in Gangtok. Some of the best biking trails are: Gangtok to Rangpo, Gangtok to Melli and Gangtok to Temi.

Yak Ride

One of the must-visit attractions near Gnagtok is the enchanting Tsogmo Lake. This high-altitude glacial lake is located at a height of 12,313 feet and is surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan Mountains. One of the exciting things to do in Tsogmo Lake is to ride a yak. At first glance, these long-haired animals with their curved pair of horns may look scary. But they are completely docile. As you take the slow and gentle ride on a yak along the banks of Tsomgo Lake, it gives you the time to absorb the fascinating colors and true beauty of this place!

Ropeway Ride

The Gangtok Ropeway is a 1 km long zigzag ropeway ride that takes visitors from Deorali to Tashiling. Each cable car can carry up to 24 passengers only. There are no seats given, so tourists have to stand and witness the scenic views of the ride. The ropeway has 3 stations. It starts from Deorali, near the Institute of Tibetology; the next station is at Namnang; and the topmost station is in Tashiling. The complete ride takes about 7 minutes. This ropeway ride offers an amazing bird’s eye view of the entire Gangtok city. On clear sunny days, one can also enjoy the breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga.