When it comes to northeast India then Gangtok is one of the most marvelous destinations. This hilly resort is famous for its breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peak, rich culture, Buddhist monasteries, serene lakes and tranquil surroundings. Nestled in the eastern Himalayan range at the height of 1650 meters, Gangtok is blessed with pleasant climatic conditions that make it a year-round destination.
In summer when most Indian destinations are suffering from hot summer then the pleasant weather of Gangtok attracts tourists towards it while from Dec to March it becomes a winter wonderland when the white layer of snow covers the entire landscape. But the best time to visit Gangtok is from March to June (spring to summer) and September to October (autumn to winter season). This is the time when you can enjoy the clear views of the Himalayas along with rich biodiversity like colorful flowers. Now let’s discuss the different seasons of Gangtok in detail and find out the best time to visit Gangtok depending on your agenda –
Let’s quickly dive into the details
Best time to visit Gangtok
September to March is the best time to visit Gangtok. The post-monsoon and post-winter season would be the best time to enjoy the spectacular views of Kanchenjunga peak when the surroundings become clear. Also, this is the perfect time to enjoy the rich diversity of Gangtok when the carpet of blooming Rhododendron flowers covers the entire landscape.
If you can bear the freezing cold temperature then the peak winter from mid-December to February is the best time when the thick white layer of snow covers the landscape. This is the ideal time to witness the frozen Tsomgo lake. Hot tea, maggie and snowfall is the combination that every mountain lovers love. Moreover, each season in Gangtok brings its own beauty and uniqueness. So, let’s discuss in detail –
| Season | Months | Is it best time to visit? |
| Winter | Nov to Feb | Yes/ best for snow lovers |
| Spring | March and April | Yes |
| Summer | May to June | Yes |
| Monsoon | July to August | No / Cheapest time to visit |
| Autumn | September to October | Yes |
Gangtok in Winter (Nov to Feb)
In winter, Gangtok welcomes the tourists under the white blanket of snow. Like any other hill station winter in Gangtok can be very chilly so if you love cold weather then winter is the ideal time to visit. Despite the freezing cold temperature and frequent showers of snowfall, winter is not very harsh in Gangtok. You can easily access most of the places except for any unwanted situations.
In winter the average day temperature hovers around 15 degrees Celsius and at night it can be minimum 2 degrees Celsius. So, it is recommended to bring heavy woolens, full sleeve clothing, water-resistant shoes, gloves & socks and warm caps.
If you’re here to get the sight of the third highest peak in the world, Kanchenjunga then winter is not an ideal time to visit. The fog covers the surroundings and it’s hard to get clear views, especially from Jan to February.
- Best places to visit in and near Gangtok in winter – Tsomgo lake, Gurudongmar lake, Nathula Pass, Baba Harbhajan Singh temple, Rumtek monastery, Lachen and Lachung village.
- Things to do in Gangtok in Winter – Shopping at Lal Bazar, trekking, paragliding, skiing, snowboarding, cable car ride and other adventurous activities.
Gangtok in Spring (March to April)
Spring is the most favorable time to visit Gangtok. This is the time when there will be chilly wind but the weather stay pleasant throughout the day. Also, the weather remains clear that allowing you to get picturesque views of Kanchenjunga peak and the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. And the blooming rhododendron flowers paint the entire surroundings with their colors. Therefore, if you’re looking to enjoy every bit of Gangtok then March to April is the best time to visit.
- Avg. Temperature – Hovers around 20 degree Celsius
- Top tourist attractions of Gangtok in Spring – Marvelous views of Kanchenjunga peak, Buddhist monasteries, Tashi view point, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Enchey monastery, Nathula Pass, Tsomgo lake, Gurudongmar lake, Baba Harbhajansingh temple, Hanuman Tok, MG marg, Mt. Katao and Gangtok Ropeway.
Gangtok in Summer (May to June)
Being a hilly town Gangtok enjoys the pleasant climate in peak summer as well. When most of the Indian region suffers from the scorching heat then Gangtok enjoys refreshing cool weather.
The average temperature hovers around 20 degrees Celsius. During day time the weather can be a little warm but it stays quite pleasant for sightseeing. Also, this is the time when the summer vacation starts in school and you can expect a little rush. So, to get good deals it is recommended to book hotels and flight tickets well in advance. Overall, if you’re looking to escape from the scorching heat and don’t want to go to overcrowded hill stations then Gangtok is the perfect place to visit.
- Places to visit in Gangtok in Summer – Tashi view point, Hanuman tok, Gangtok ropeway, Nathula Pass, Tsomgo lake, Gurudongmar lake, Rumtek monasteries, seven sister waterfalls, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Ban Jhakri falls, MG road and Himalayan Zoological park.
- Things to do in Gangtok in Summer – Trekking, Paragliding, attend an international flower festival, river rafting in the Teesta river, mountain biking, cable car rides and photography.
Gangtok in Monsoon (July to August)
Monsoon is the least advisable time to visit Gangtok due to the prone to heavy rainfalls and landslides. It may cause the problems like road blockage that create inconvenience while moving from one place to another. However, due to heavy rainfalls and fewer tourists, the surroundings look lush with gushing waterfalls and blooming vegetation. The blend of lush green vegetation with snow-capped mountains makes this place surreal. So, if you’re planning to visit a wonderful place with tranquil surroundings then Gangtok is the perfect place to visit during monsoon.
- Avg. Temperature – 10 to 18 degrees Celsius.
- Top Tourists Attractions In Gangtok in Monsoon – River rafting, motorbiking, trekking, waterfall hopping, and sightseeing.
Gangtok In Autumn (September to October)
After spring, autumn is the second best season to visit Gangtok. Just after the monsoon, the weather will be extremely pleased with lush green surroundings. You may get some light showers that make the weather more comfortable. And the best part about this season is the clear sky that allows you to get magnificent views of the Himalayan mountain range, especially the famous Kanchenjunga peak.
The daytime temperature ranges around 25 degrees Celsius while the night starts getting cold with a minimum temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius. So, it’s good to pack some warm clothes as well especially if you’re traveling in October.
- Top tourists attractions of Gangtok in Autumn – Get picturesque views of Kanchenjunga peak from Tosh view point, visit Kanchenjunga National Park, trekking to Himalayas, night camping, river rafting, paragliding, monasteries, cable car ride, Nathula Pass, pristine lakes and shopping at MG road.
Cheapest time to visit Gangtok
Monsoon or July to August is the cheapest time to visit Gangtok. Due to the risk of heavy rain, flood and landslides many tourists avoid visiting Gangtok and that makes it an off-season. Due to the off-season, you’ll get good deals on hotel and flight booking. Besides the good deals, monsoon makes the surroundings lush with blooming vegetation and flowers. Fewer tourists mean you will have enough space to enjoy the beauty and explore the rich culture of Gangtok.
Best time to visit Gangtok for snowfall
January and February are the best months to enjoy snowfall in Gangtok. Snowfall is not common in main Gangtok, so for more chances of Snowfall, you can move to higher places near Gangtok like Nathula Pass, Tsomgo lake, Gurudongmar lake and Baba Harbhajan Singh temple.
Gangtok Weather – Month Wise
| Month | Avg. Temperature In Celsius |
| January | 2 to 10 deg |
| February | 4 to 15 deg |
| March | 8 to 20 deg |
| April | 10 to 22 deg |
| May | 12 to 24 deg |
| June | 15 to 25 deg |
| July | 18 to 28 deg |
| August | 19 to 26 deg |
| September | 18 to 26 deg |
| October | 12 to 23 deg |
| November | 10 to 20 deg |
| December | 5 to 15 deg |
Frequently Asked Questions About Gangtok
In which month Gangtok have snowfall?
Every year from Jan to February Gangtok receives snowfall. Generally, Gangtok doesn’t get heavy snowfall but the higher region of town gets more frequent snowfalls like Nathula pass, Tsomgo lake, Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple and Gurudongmar lake.
How many days are enough for Gangtok?
For local sightseeing, one day is enough but if you want to enjoy the outskirts of Gangtok then 3 nights and 4 days would be enough.
Is it safe to travel to Gangtok?
A big yes, Gangtok is one of the safest places to travel in India even for solo travelers as well. Some well-known travel bloggers recommend Gangtok as one of the safest solo travel destinations in India. The locals are ready to help, you can travel alone at night but it is always good to be alert and trust your instincts.