Things To Do In Ravangla

In the southern region of Sikkim, around 60 km away from Gangtok, a quaint town called Ravangla is a recent up and coming tourist spot in the state that has all the qualities of the perfect holiday destination. With beautiful views of the Himalayas and the Kanchenjunga, from the top trekking locations to the rich Buddhist culture of the region, there is plenty to discover in this diverse region.

The natural habitat of Ravangla is home to a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna that form one of the highlights of this region. An ideal location for a retreat as you go exploring your way through the hilly terrain of Sikkim, here are the top things to do while you’re in Ravangla. 

An ideal spot for animal and nature lovers to check out, the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to amazing species like the Barking Deer, Marbled Cat and Civet Cat, and a variety of bird species like the Black Eagle, Magpies, Sunbird, and Blue Necked Pita among numerous others. Apart from being a wildlife reserve, Maenam is a great place to observe medicinal herbs and plants. Situated at an altitude of over 3200 m and spread over an area of around 3500 hectares, it is also a popular trekking location with trails that lead to Maenam Peak that ascend to Bhaledunga. The Maenam Gompa is also located close by and deserves to be paid a visit.

Situated at an altitude of over 3000 m, Maenam Hill is located outside Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary and is one of the most well known trekking locations in the area. With brilliant views of the Kanchenjunga and lush forests all around, the round trip of the trek is around 24 km with a steep trail that passes through the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Maenam trek extends to include crossing through the popular Borong village; the route begins in Namchi or Damthang, concluding at Tendong. The trek may be terminated at this point or may be carried on to Tashidang. The Borong hot springs feature as one of the highlights of the area.

This carpet manufacturing center is one of the most popular places to shop in Ravangla and is run by the Kheunpheling Tibetan refugees who settled in this area in the 1970s. The center was established by the government to promote the native art of Sikkim handicrafts, with merchandise that ranges from the finest carpets in Sikkim to beautiful shawls and woolens.

The center is also known for being teaching grounds of the art of weaving and wood carving to artists who visit the area with the sole purpose of learning the craft.

Located at an altitude of 2000 m, the Rayong viewpoint is situated on the Ravangla-Damthang Road and offers some of the most spectacular views of the Himalayan range, including the Sangalila range and Chola range in Bhutan. Breathtaking views of the sunrise from this region is one of the highlights of Rayong, along with trekking opportunities on the famous Tinkitam, Deorali Dara and Gholey Bhir trails that are part of the Rayong viewpoint region.  

The natural hot springs of Sikkim are famous for their medicinal properties, and become one of the most widely visited areas during winter. The Ralang hot spring is located just an hour long walk away from the Ralang monastery, and the Borong spring is a 7 km drive away from Ralang, followed by a 45 minute walk. Locally known as Cha-chu, both these springs are situated along the banks of River Rangit and also hold religious value to the locals, being located in one of the four holy caves of Sikkim.

During the busy winter months of December to February, the huts in these areas become temporary accommodations for those staying near the hot springs, which double as winter spas during this weather. A number of small shops are also set up in the area during this time that provide basic provisions to the people staying here, like vegetables and dairy products.

Rangit Water World is a popular amusement park located near the Rangit Dam, around 25 km outside Ravangla. Using the water from the Rangit Dam, the park offers all adventure junkies the chance to explore activities like angling, river rafting and swimming. The splendid beauty of the surroundings also makes it the perfect place to go on walks and family picnics as well.