Tourist Places to Visit in Aritar, East Sikkim, India

Tourist Places to Visit in Aritar, East Sikkim, India

Aritar is a province in East Sikkim, India. It lies under Rongli Sub-Division. This beautiful area is brimming with lush green flora, condensed plantations, lakes and streams. Aritar is placed on the brink of the Himalayas and can be reached taking four hours of drive from Gangtok. It is an ideal destination for Nature lovers. Adventure lovers can do water rafting, hiking and paragliding.

History of Aritar

Aritar gained eminence after the apprehension of the Indo-Tibet trade settlement during 1904. A treaty under Lord Young husband got trading securities for the British. Col. Young husband was asked to voyage to Lhasa via Jelepa in the year 1904. The Tibetan militia opposed the expedition and attacked the troops which were later called a truce by Young husband and thus helping them to build a police outpost in the region. Lampokhari Lake at Aritar was a prominent channel that provided shelter to the merchants who travelled to Tibet with their goods. Merchandise was usually covered with sheets to gain shelter form snow and rain.

Tourist Attractions in Aritar

Aritar Gumpa

Aritar Gumpa is famous and the most ancient monasteries in Sikkim. Aritar Gumpa is the home to the agyuapa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is celebrated for its brilliantly engraved conventional structural design. Tourists can also come across the tinted murals, work of art and various earliest scripts in the monastery.

Parbateyswar Shivalaya Mandir

Parbateyswar Shivalaya Mandir is devoted to Hindu lord Shiva. The pilgrimage season is during the monsoon when the devotees traditionally tender water to the statue of Lord Shiva.

Lampokhari Lake

Lampokhari Lake is popularly known as Aritar Lake by the locals. It is one of the oldest natural lakes in Sikkim. Positioned at a altitude of 1,400 meters., the lake resembles human foot. Water rafting and paddle boating can be done in the lake. It is majorly used for the purpose of the tourists. The lake is bounded by lush green vegetation which looks harmoniously enchanting while boating.

Ever Green Nursery & Ram Gauri Sangrhalaya

Ever Green Nursery is positioned at Rhenock Bazar. The nursery being privately owned has bounty of plantation. Ever Green Nursery & Ram Gauri Sangrhalaya are home to several anthology of woodland and horticultural plants.

Dak Bunglow

In the year 1895, Sir James Claude White the 1st political officer of Sikkim built the Dak Bunglow under British India. This antique bungalow is also distinguished as Ari-Bangla.

Other Interesting Places in and around Aritar

Phushrey Lake
Lungchok Valley
Kali Khola Falls
Mankhim Temple
Changey Waterfall
Nirmal Dham

Best season to visit Aritar

The best season to visit Aritar is during summer from March to May and winter from December to February. The summers are barely hot and have a cool refreshing weather. The winters are very cold and one can experience snowfall here. In the monsoon season there is heavy rain fall.

Accessibility to Aritar

By Road: It is well connected by road from Gangtok. The journey is mere four hours with one’s own private vehicle. The best way to reach the place is by means of taxis. The region is positioned approximately 60 km from Gangtok and 123 km away from Siliguri.

By Rail: The nearby railheads are Siliguri and Jalpaiguri station. They are well connected to the northern and southern parts of the country.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Siliguri. One can arrive at situate from a few towns across India. Daily commercial flights are available from major towns such as Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Flights from intercontinental destinations – Bangkok and Paro also arrive at Siliguri.

Accommodation in Aritar

Aritar is one of the eminent tourist destinations in Sikkim. Aritar has some fine renowned hotels, resorts, guest houses and lodges. The hotels endow with many conveniences and the tariffs differ from hotel to hotel. Many hotels undertake advanced booking and reservation for safe and comfy stay of the visitors. Some high end hotels offers host of world class amenities to the tourists like big ventilated rooms with room heaters, LCD TV’s, broadband facilities with Wi-Fi, intercom facilities, laundry facilities, swimming pool, clubhouse, gym, sauna and steam bath, spa, Pub & Bar etc. List of hotels located in and around Aritar are as follows: