
Off-The-Beaten-Track Sikkim & West Bengal
Discover the rural towns and villages of scenic Sikkim and West Bengal as you gain an insight into Himalayan ways of life.
Spend a day exploring Gangtok and its surroundings, the mountainous capital of Sikkim. With your local guide, you will first visit the Rumtek Monastery, the largest working monastery in Sikkim. It exhibits beautiful Tibetan-style architecture with a colourful exterior, replicating the Kagyu headquarters in Tibet. You’ll also pay a visit to the Nalanda Institute, a monastic college part of the monastery.
Along the way, you’ll get an insight into the local industries and traditional means of employment in Sikkim as you stop at the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms. Established to promote the manufacturing process of arts, furniture and handicrafts, you can wander around and watch as locals make their products and works of art. You’ll also visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology’s museum and library providing extensive, fascinating information regarding the Tibetan heritage in the Sikkim region.
End your day in the heart of Gangtok at the Lal Bazaar, a multi-floor market playing host to an incredible array of product and a popular shopping spot amongst locals. After wandering around the stalls, the tour ends with a delicious traditional Sikkimese lunch.
You can include this experience as part of an Experience Travel Group holiday designed exclusively for you.
Map centered on Monasteries And Local Arts of Gangtok. Zoom out to view other hotels (H) and experiences (E) in the area.
Want to know more? With so much to see and do, planning a holiday to India can feel overwhelming - so our Curious Traveller’s Guide to India makes it that much easier. This is our experts’ edit of experiences and hotels, plus a detailed breakdown of popular regions and advice for first-time visitors.
Download Now