Best Time to Visit Gangtok

Monsoon season in Gangtok begins from June and lasts till September. It receives heavy downpours followed by frequent landslides. Hence, monsoon months are not considered an ideal time to visit Gangtok.

Gangtok is blessed with the views of Kanchenjunga, the river Teesta, beautiful wildlife and nature blooming at its best making it the best time to go Gangtok. With vistas that leave the visitors spellbound (Tsomgo Lake, Ban Jhakri falls, Tashi viewpoint) and monasteries that date back in time (Enchey Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Do Drul Chorten Rumtek Monastery) this is a place which will leave you satisfied with body mind and soul. Generally, all year through is the best time to travel to Gangtok. Let us have a segregation of the weather condition to find out the best month to visit Gangtok.

January - March (-1 °C to 17°C): The city of Gangtok is pleasant throughout the year but the winter months are extremely chilly. The weather in Gangtok in January is extremely freezing and provides visitors with panoramic scenes of the mountain peaks covered with snow, a plethora of thrill-seeking activities, and overall breathtaking experience.

April - June (10 °C to 27 °C): Summer months provide a relaxing environment to visitors as the temperature is enjoyable, and there is no scorching heat of the sun exasperating the locals and visitors. The temperatures during summers are hardly warm and rarely go beyond 27 °C. The weather in Gangtok in May becomes pleasant, and thus provides an opportunity to observe this place at its best. This is also the right time to explore the northern and western parts of Gangtok as these are open to visitors for a short span of time during summers.

July - September (12°C to 25 °C): During the rainy season, it is advisable to not visit Gangtok as there are chances of landslides due to torrential rains. Even the tourist spots are not open to visit as the roads are not accessible during these months.

October - December (4 °C to 7 °C): The season of winter is also one of the best durations to explore the capital of Sikkim. As the temperature drops to a great extent, the atmosphere becomes quite cold. However, the weather in Gangtok in December leaves mountains capped with snow, and thus one can experience the pleasant view of beautiful mountains and vibrant flowers covering the green background. Tourists can also partake in adventure activities like river rafting, paragliding, and many other activities. The festive vibes during Christmas and New Year make this place lively as the locals and tourists celebrate and experience these joyous occasions with excitement and new hopes for the upcoming year.

In spring, the air still has a chilly feel to it. The skies are clear and the mountains in the distance form a backdrop that leaves one awestruck. After all, Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world. You can hike up the mountains which are in full bloom or just laze around in the meadows. Whatever you choose, spring is the best time to visit Gangtok. December is the month when Gangtok comes alive with the Annual Gangtok festival. This is the best season to visit Gangtok for one to try all the cuisines and the culture of the state called Sikkim. This is the best time for Gangtok tour.

Gangtok Festivals

When it comes to festivities, Gangtok is not far behind the rest of the country. The festivals celebrated in Gangtok entice both locals and international tourists. One can see locals wearing vibrant clothes, enjoying the folk music and dance performances.

International Flower Festival: The Government of Sikkim organizes this festival to celebrate the beauty and natural diversity present in the state. The festival begins in March every year with the Orchid Show and displays plenty of plant and flower species including more than 30 exotic rhododendrons species and over 600 orchid species. One can also witness round 240 tree species and species of Himalayan fauna, ferns, and flowers.

Losoong Festival: Another Gangtok festival is the Losoong festival that signifies the beginning of the New Year of Sikkim. It is also considered to be the annual harvest festival for the locals of Sikkim and is celebrated with joy during December. For the tourists, this is one of the best times to visit Sikkim as this festival lasts for 4 days and showcases the culture of the state.

Bumchu Festival: Bumchu festival is a sacred festival for the people of Sikkim, and is celebrated with enthusiasm and vigor throughout the state. This festival is considered to decide the destiny of the state during the upcoming year. The locals open the water vessels to check the water level, for it is believed to decide the fortune of Sikkim.

Maghe Sankranti Mela: Maghe Sankranti Mela is celebrated for three days beginning on 14th January every year. This festival is known for its exhibition of artwork and handicrafts made by the locals of Sikkim. The aim of Maghe Mela is to provide the local artisans of Sikkim with a global platform to display their work.