Have your breakfast and proceed for Gangtok sightseeing. Attractions to be visited today are Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms, Rumtek Monastery, Chorten, Botanical Garden, Research Institute of Tibetology and View Point.
Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms showcases incredible work of art by local artisans. Thanka paintings, handlooms, carpets, cane and bamboo works, wooden carved and painted items, wooden masks, multi-craft items, traditional hats and caps, embroidered products and stuffed dolls are some of the artworks presented here for sale. Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms is a major attraction of Gangtok.
Rumtek Monastery or Dharmchakra Centre is an important Buddhist religious spot and the largest monastery of Sikkim state. It was built in mid 18th century and served as a seat for Karma Kargyu lineage. By 1959, the monastery fell into ruins and but was rebuilt by Karmapa. Maroon and gold hues are generously added to the monastery, which is a Tibetan insignia.
Chorten or Do Drul Chorten is an eye-catching stupa built in 1945, by Trulshik Rinpoche. The sacred spot also has 108 prayer wheels or Mani Lhakor, Chorten Lakahang and statues of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). Pilgrims from different regions around the world visit this stupa to offer homage.
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden is thick green locale, located near Rumtek Monastery. The garden consists of more than 50 varieties of tree species and a wide range of flowering plants too. For even more refreshing experience, take a stroll in the oak forest. Different orchids are grown in the huge greenhouse inside the garden. For children, there is a recreational area where they can enjoy merry-go-round, see-saw and other swings.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is where you can find a peace of mind. The foundation of the building was laid in 1957 by 14th Dalai Lama and was inaugurated in 1959 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then prime minister of India. Different projects are being worked on in the research institute like the one which seeks to record social history of about 60 monasteries of Sikkim. A visit to this institute gets the person to grab more knowledge about Tibet and Buddhism.
Tashi View Point is a popular site of the Gangtok, from where you can get a splendid view of Kanchenjunga Peak (highest peak of Indian and third highest peak of the world) and the surrounding. Snow-clad peaks and clouds entwine to invent a hail-worthy aura. To spot peaks changing colors head to the peak before 5 am. You have to climb up the hill through steep flight of stairs to reach the semi-circular platform made for viewing.
Overnight stay in hotel room.