Tourist Places to Visit in Rumtek, Sikkim, India
Rumtek is known for its Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated in Gangtok in the Indian state of Sikkim that coordinates with 27.19’55” degree North Latitude and 88.36’07” degree East Longitude. The monastery was built in the 16th century by 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje and is known as one of the most spiritual centers in this part of the world. Rumtek monastery houses many Buddhist monks where they perform many rituals and follow strict Buddhist culture and tradition. The monastery lies at an elevation of 1500 meters above sea level and is approx 24 kms away from city of Gangtok.
Other places of tourist attractions near Rumtek:
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden:
This Botanical garden is situated near to Rumtek Monastery which has many varieties of medicinal plants, trees and Himalayan flowers. The Botanical Garden also houses a childrens park and a mini playground and the garden is maintained by the forest department.
Tsomgo Lake:
This lake is located at a distance of 60 kms from Rumtek is a popular tourist site that has a temple of lord Shiva on the banks of the river. The best time to visit the lake is during the months of March to May and from October to mid December.
Himalayan Zoological Park:
The Zoological Park is approx 27 kms away from Rumtek known for many endangered species of animals. The Park is spread over 205 hectares and is known for one of the best place to be for wildlife lovers where the tourists can spot animals in their natural habitat.
Deer Park:
Deer Park is located at close vicinity from Zoological Park which houses many species and breeds of deers which attracts many tourists coming to Gangtok.
Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary:
This wildlife sanctuary is about 55 kms from Rumtek lying at an altitude of 3292 meters above sea level that boasts of variety of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is famous for musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, Himalayan Yak, Indian Bison and Goral. The sanctuary also has many fruit orchards and medicinal plants and is visited by large number of tourists.
Pemayangtse Monastery:
This monastery is located 164 kms away from Rumtek is a major Buddhist pilgrimage center. The monastery is well known for its exquisite carvings and example of fine architecture which attracts both local as well as international visitors.
Nathula Pass:
Nathula Pass is about 80 kms from Rumtek sited at a height of 14450 feet above sea level is a main access point to China. The tourists can view the magnificent Himalayan snow capped mountains and deep valleys from Nathula Pass.
Enchey Monastery:
This monastery is about 27 kms from Rumtek known for one of the ancient Buddhist monasteries. The monastery is 200 years old and preaches many Buddhist teachings and Buddhist principles by the monks who stay in this monastery.
Ganesh Tok:
Ganesh Tok is approx 31 kms from Rumtek has a temple dedicated to lord Ganesha that draws many visitors during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Other attractions in and near Rumtek are:
- Changu Lake
- Namgyal Institute
- Tashiding Monastery
- Do-Drul Chorten Stupa
- Saramsa Garden
- Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hanuman Tok
- Tashi Viewpoint
- Rabdentse Ruins
- Deorali Orchid Sanctuary
- Kabi Lungchuk
- Tsuk La Khang Monastery
- Tsuklakhang Palace
- Phensong Monastery
Best Season to visit Rumtek?
Rumtek can be visited all round the year, but the most ideal season to visit the place would be during summers as the region remains cool and pleasant and is an exciting and romantic holiday destination for many young married couples. Winters get too cold and chilly and must take necessary thick woolen clothes when they visit Rumtek during this point of time. At times Rumtek also experiences severe landslides due to which the tourists are not allowed to enter the region.
Accessibility to Rumtek:
Rumtek is easily approachable by road, rail and air modes of transport as many National Highways crisscross Rumtek. Frequent bus services are available from Rumtek to Gangtok and one can also hire a taxi or a cab from Gangtok to reach Rumtek. The nearest railway station and airport is Gangtok located about 24 kms from Rumtek.
Hotels in Rumtek:
Being a popular holiday and tourist destination in this part of the region, the department of tourism has come up with many multiclass luxury hotels to provide decent form of accommodation for the tourists visiting the place from time to time. The hotels range from 1 star rating to 5 star rating ranging from offering basic standard amenities to ultra class modern amenities. List of some of the hotels situated in and near Rumtek are:
- Hotel Golden Heights
- Hotel The Royal Plaza
- Sidlon Residency
- Hotel Sonam Palgey
- Hotel Mount Simvo
- Hotel Park Residency
- Hotel Samrat Residency
- Hotel Regent
- Hotel Mandarin Residency
- Hotel Heruka
- Hotel New Castle
- Hotel Natraj
- Hotel Shah Residency