Ravangla Tourism And Travel Guide

A relatively small town yet one of the most well known tourist spots in the southern regions of Sikkim, Ravangla is situated close to other famous destinations in this part of the state, like Yuksom, Pelling and Namchi, and is usually visited as part of a combined trip to a number of towns in the area.

The efforts made by the government of Sikkim to promote tourism in Ravangla are evident in its architecturally brilliant religious monuments, each of which has given substantial exposure to this small town and managed to put it on the map among the top holiday spots in the country.

With amazing locations to enjoy just as amazing views of the hills and countryside, Ravangla will prove to be an undeniable favorite among seasoned travelers. Here is a brief travel guide to help you on your next trip to Ravangla.

By Air:

The Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal is the nearest airport from the town of Ravangla. It is located around 135 km away and is easily accessible via cabs and taxis that can be availed from outside the airport.

By Rail: 

The closest railway station from Ravangla is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. It is located around 110 km away, with private taxis available for hire outside the station to take you to Ravangla directly. The roads around Ravangla are not in good condition and the journey takes around 5 hours to reach.

By Road: 

Ravangla is well connected via road networks to a number of regions within the state of Sikkim. There are state-run and private bus services, along with private cabs for hire available from neighboring areas of Gangtok, Yuksom, Pelling, and Namchi to Ravangla, which are all located within an approximate of two hours from each other.

Summer (March – June):

Summer in Ravangla is the best time to take a trip here. With temperatures that hover in the range of 15ᴼC-25ᴼC, this is prime weather to enjoy sightseeing and other outdoor activities in this region. One might also encounter occasional light showers making it a pleasant time to be in Ravangla.

Monsoon (July – September): 

Monsoon season in Ravangla is characterized by heavy rainfall accompanied with strong winds, making these months an unsuitable time to travel to this region. Temperature remains within a cool range of 12ᴼC-17ᴼC.

Winter (October – February):

The months of October and November are pleasant and cool with temperatures in the range of 11ᴼC-18ᴼC, making them an ideal time to visit Ravangla. However, the subsequent months of December to February get extremely cold (3ᴼC-10ᴼC), with consistent snowfall that often leads to sub-zero temperatures.

Trekking:

Hiking through the rough terrains of Ravangla is one of the best activities to pursue here. Most of the trails in Ravangla are meant for short treks through villages and to hilltops; the highlight of trekking through the Borong village is the natural hot spring that witnesses tourists from all over the world. Hiking up to Maenam Hill will take you to the wildlife sanctuary located close by – the perfect combination of sightseeing with wildlife exploration.  

Watch the Sunrise:

The best place to watch the sunrise in Ravangla is to get to Rayong Viewpoint. Situated at an altitude of 2000 m, it is a great vantage point to experience breathtaking sunrise and sunset views, apart from being a spectacular location to view the Himalayan range as well.

Visit the Monasteries:

Ravangla is home to a number of monasteries and religious monuments, making it a significant site for Buddhist devotees. The most notable structures worth paying a visit are the Bon monastery, the Ralang monastery, and the Doling monastery. The Bon monastery is unique in its status of being a non-Buddhist monastery; one of only two of its kind in the country.

Explore the Village Life:

The villages of Ravangla are like any other native community found in various parts of the country. It is known that the best way to observe the local culture of any community is to find the opportunity to live with them and mingle with them on a personal level. Experience true Sikkim hospitality by visiting these villages like Kewzing to interact with the locals as you discover what it’s like to actually be a part of this region.

Bathe in Natural Hot Springs:

Sikkim features a lot of naturally occurring hot springs all over the state; the ones present in Ralang and Borong are two of the most well known ones in this region. Famous for their medicinal properties, they are most visited in the winter months when the springs double up as winter spas and the whole area gets packed with tourists and small shops catering to the basic needs of the visitors.

Mt. Kanchenjunga is considered sacred in this part of Sikkim, and is worshipped during the annual festival of Pang Lhabsol. It is celebrated on the 15^th day of the 7^th month in the Buddhist calendar, which falls sometime in the months of August-September.

The famous Mahakala Dance also takes place in the monastery here every year in the month of November.

Ravangla has a variety of restaurants on offer that serve local delicacies along with international cuisine; catering to a range of taste buds. Some of the eateries worth checking out are Taste of Sikkim, Tathagatha Kitchen, and Kookay’s.