Aritar Tourism | Gangtok Travel Guide

East Sikkim is famous for lush green surroundings, gorgeous waterfalls, and enchanting mountains. These have attracted many tourists every year to the quaint towns and villages of this Northeastern state. Aritar, located at 4500 ft. offers something for everyone, the peace seekers, the religious travelers and the adventurous lot. While visiting here, you can see every imaginable shade of green, offering a stark contrast to the pristine White Mountain range of Mt. Kanchenjunga. A photographer’s delight and a paradise for nature lovers, Aritar needs to be seen to believe that such natural beauty exists in India. If you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some precious time alone, rediscovering yourself amongst beautiful surroundings, then a trip to Aritar is something to look forward to.

Best time to visit Aritar

More About Aritar

Aritar has immense natural beauty, as a result of which it attracts tourists all-round the year. However, the best time to visit is summers as the weather is pleasant enough to explore the natural beauty of the region. March – June is considered ideal to visit Aritar as temperature ranges between 100-200C. Monsoons can be a bit tricky as traveling is a bit difficult during this time. If possible, avoid traveling to Aritar from July – September as you won’t be able to indulge in any outdoor activity. Winters set early here, from October to February, the temperature is very chilly, ranging from -20 to 100C. Heavy snowfall can close travel routes. Unless you enjoy extreme chilly weather, and treks through snow-clad mountains, winters in Aritar are something you won’t be comfortable with.

How to reach Aritar ?

Aritar is one of the popular hill stations of Sikkim and is visited by a throng of visitors looking for a peaceful, spiritual or adventurous holiday. Aritar is well connected by air, road and rail network.

By air : The closest airport to Aritar is Bagdogra which is connected to major Indian cities as well as international cities like Paro and Bangkok. You can hire a cab to travel up to Aritar which is 128 km from the airport. It will take you around 4-5 hours to reach Aritar.

By train :If you are planning to travel by train, nearest railway station to Aritar is New Jalpaiguri station (NJP) which is just 120 km away. Since NJP is well connected to other cities of India, traveling by train is an excellent option. You can hire a taxi which will take around 4-5 hours to reach Aritar.

By road : Many buses operate between Aritar and other major cities of East and Northeast Indian cities. You can opt to book a bus ticket to travel to Aritar. The nearest town to Aritar is Rhenock, which is merely 6 km from here. You can travel from Siliguri (104 km, 5 hours), Gangtok (63 km, 3 hours) and Reshi (15 km, 1 hour) using private vehicles or cabs.

What to expect in Aritar?

There is something in store for everyone who visits this beautiful place in East Sikkim. For adventure seekers, Aritar offers enough outdoor activities to feel the adrenalin rush surging through your body. With amazing lush green forests to walk through and high mountain peaks to conquer, you can opt for camping, rock climbing, paragliding, trekking or hiking. Once you have indulged in these activities, you will surely want to revisit the place for more action.
If you are spiritually inclined, you are in luck; one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, the ‘Aritar Gompa’ is situated here. You can also visit other holy sites including a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is immensely popular among Hindu devotees. Be a witness to the traditional architecture and religious grandeur in the peaceful atmosphere at Aritar. You are bound to go back rejuvenated after your experiences here.
Lampokhari festival which is held annually by the Sikkim State Tourism Department every year around March – April is another attraction for tourists. You can witness the beautiful culture of North East India during this time apart from participating in fun activities like archery, horse riding, boat riding or simply gazing into the azure blue waters of Lampokhari Lake while gorging on local delicacies. Enjoy flower exhibitions and cultural shows while visiting Aritar.

Visiting Aritar? Carry these things with you

1.) If you are travelling to Aritar during summers, be sure to carry light woolen garments; however, if you plan to visit this place in winter, you will need heavy woolens.
2.) Since there aren’t many shops in the area, you are advised to carry eatables and potable water from nearby places like Rhenock, Siliguri or Pedong.
3.) Carrying emergency medicines (fever, diarrhea, ointments, band-aids etc.) is advised as a nearest medical shop or health facility is available at Rhenock.
4.) You need to have cash in hand as credit/debit cards are not accepted here.
5.) If you wish to remain in contact with the world, carry mobile phones will two different service providers as the signal is sometimes not strong.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Gangtok :

The capital city of Gangtok boasts of numerous attractions. Loaded with natural beauty, this place is known for its temples, monasteries, and amazing treks. Seven separate waterfalls combining to form one magnificent one is a representation of the geography of the region. You can use the ropeway to watch it from up close. Located on National Highway, you need to hire cabs to get here.