Reaching Gangtok via Darjeeling route is also a better option in my view.The distance between Darjeeling to Gangtok is 125 kilometers and road conditions are good.
The journey duration is 4 to 5 hours (3 hours non-stop) ,provided, you do the site seeing on the way as well.Lamhatta park and River rafting in Teesta may be a time consuming affair on the way.
The routes goes through Teesta Bazaar – Meli – Rangpo – Singtam-Ranipool and finally Gangtok.Rangpo is the checkpoint between West Bengal and Sikkim.
1 Flower Decorated Houses
On Darjeeling-Sikkim road , as soon as the Sikkim areas begin , you will start noticing the beautiful colorful houses decorated with flower pots.
Just to add, the state of Sikkim is also a house of 5,000 species of flowering plants!
2 Prayer Flags
The roads sides are decorated with colourful Buddhists prayer flags.
The flag colors symbolize each of the five elements of earth.
You can notice this kind of flags all over Sikkim.
3 Erratic Traffic Jams
You may experience huge traffic jams on less wider road while approaching or returning from Gangtok.
The road to Gangtok via Darjeeling , although less busier than Siliguri-Gangtok one , is not free from jams although.
The causes of jams is often due to a landslide , military convoy movement .
4 Lamahatta Eco Park
Lamhatta Eco Park is a pleasant surprise on the way to Gangtok from From this place , Darjeeling.Kanchenjunga range is clearly visible from the park.The place also offers home stay/ tent for tourists.The lake at the hill top is amazing , however, it takes an hour and up-hill journey to reach the top and not possible to cover quickly unless you don’t stay here.
5 Teesta View Point
The attraction is also called ‘Lovers View Point’ aka Teesta river view point.This is the place from where you can look down to view the merging of Teesta and Rangeet river.Teesta river originates from Tso Lhamo lake of Sikkim while Rangeet river originates from Kachenjunga.
6 Fruits on the way
Outside Teesta View Point I spotted these fresh green peaches by the roadside.
If you are lucky, you may also find Oranges during the season.
A small temporary shop outside this attraction is said to be famous for ‘Chana-Masala’ dish here.
7 River Rafting Locations
Teesta Bazaar and Melli have several river rafting adventure sports provider , because , at Rangpo near Coronation Bridge Teesta river develops very strong current entering Sevoke.
It is categorized as one of the finest rafting starches in the world these spots provide the tourists spectacular scenes along the river courses through the gorges and valleys .
Tips n Info
- Any West Bengal number plate taxi will only drop you till Deorali Taxi Stand.You will need to hire a local cab from the stand.
- Hotels rooms in Gangtok normally do not have air-conditioners.
- Roadside dhabas do not have refrizerators to serve you a chilled soft-drink
- During the season the Darjeeling to Gangtok taxi fare may shoot up between Rs 2500 (small car) – Rs 4000 for vehicles like Bolero.
- There is no Darjeeling to Gangtok toy train neither buses ply on this route.
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