Gangtok Hill & Buddhist Monasteries Tour from Bagdogra

Rumtek Monastery and a glacial lake in four days, without arranging the drive or the guide.

A four-day guided tour from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok covers Buddhist monasteries, waterfalls and high-altitude lakes in the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, with private transport, an English-speaking guide and hotel accommodation (if selected). The itinerary includes Rumtek and Enchey monasteries on Day 2, Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir on Day 3, and returns to Bagdogra on Day 4. Airport pickup and all monument entry fees are included; you choose between 3-star, 4-star or 5-star hotels, or book transport and sightseeing without accommodation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to Gangtok

• Arrive at Bagdogra airport
• Drive scenic 3-hour route to Gangtok
• Check in at hotel and relax
• Leisurely stroll in Gangtok streets

Day 2 — Gangtok sightseeing tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Rumtek Monastery
• Visit Bakthang Waterfall
• Visit Tashi Viewpoint
• Visit Ganesh Tok temple
• Visit Enchey Monastery
• Shop at Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom
• Return to hotel for overnight stay

Day 3 — Excursion to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive through Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
• Visit Tsomgo Lake
• Visit Baba Mandir shrine
• Explore M G Road in evening
• Return to hotel for overnight stay

Day 4 — Return to Bagdogra

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive back to Bagdogra airport
• Depart from Bagdogra airport

The Experience

The tour starts with a three-hour drive from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok through the foothills. Your driver meets you at arrivals, and the route winds through lush greenery with glimpses of distant peaks. After checking in at your hotel, the evening is free to walk M G Road or explore the town's colorful streets and local markets at your own pace.

Day 2 is a full day of sightseeing in Gangtok itself. You visit Rumtek Monastery, a prominent Buddhist site with intricate murals and religious artifacts, then move to Bakthang Waterfall, where water cascades through greenery. Tashi Viewpoint follows, offering panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The afternoon takes you to Ganesh Tok, a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and Enchey Monastery, a 200-year-old structure with colorful Buddhist paintings and sculptures. Before returning to the hotel, you stop at the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom to browse traditional Thanka paintings, carpets and wooden sculptures.

Day 3 is an excursion to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. The drive passes through the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, where lush forests, alpine trees and rhododendron blooms line the route. Tsomgo Lake is a glacial lake nestled in mountains that changes color with the seasons; migratory birds and Brahmini ducks sometimes appear here. Baba Mandir is a sacred shrine dedicated to an Indian army soldier, set in a peaceful atmosphere for meditation. The evening returns you to Gangtok to explore M G Road again before the final night at the hotel.

On Day 4, after breakfast, the three-hour drive back to Bagdogra takes you past the same verdant hills and peaks, and you arrive at the airport for your onward flight.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned car or van for airport transfers, sightseeing and excursions throughout the four days.
• bottled drinking water in the vehicle.
• all monument entrance fees and activity charges listed in the itinerary.
• an English-speaking local guide on Days 2 and 3.
• airport assistance on arrival.
• government taxes.
• three nights' accommodation in your choice of 3-star, 4-star or 5-star hotel (if the accommodation option is selected).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Agora Voyages Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want the main Buddhist monasteries and Tsomgo Lake without building the schedule yourself—the fixed itinerary holds all the sightseeing, transport and guide inside four days, and the private car means you don't wait for group departures or shared pickups. If you're arriving at Bagdogra and need accommodation, you pick the hotel category at checkout; if you're staying elsewhere in the region, the transport-only option lets you skip the hotel nights.

Top questions

What is Rumtek Monastery and what will I see there?

Rumtek Monastery is a prominent Buddhist monastery in Gangtok known for its magnificent architecture and serene atmosphere. You'll see intricate murals and religious artifacts housed within its premises during the Day 2 sightseeing itinerary.

How long is the drive from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok?

The drive from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok covers approximately 125 kilometers and takes around three hours, passing through lush greenery and foothills with views of distant peaks.

What is Tsomgo Lake and why is it worth visiting?

Tsomgo Lake is a glacial lake nestled amidst towering mountains in the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary. The lake changes colors with the seasons and is a place where you might spot migratory birds and the elusive Brahmini ducks during the Day 3 excursion.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

An English-speaking tour guide is included on all sightseeing days (Day 2 and Day 3). The guide is local to each city and assists with navigation and cultural context throughout the tour.

Can I book this tour without hotel accommodation?

Yes, you can choose the "Tour Price Without Hotels" option at checkout, which includes private transport, sightseeing, monument entries and the guide, but excludes the three nights' accommodation.

What happens on the evening of Day 1 after I arrive in Gangtok?

After checking in at your hotel on Day 1, the evening is free for you to explore at your own pace. You can take a leisurely stroll through Gangtok's quaint streets lined with colorful buildings and bustling markets, or rest before the full day of sightseeing begins on Day 2.