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Sikkim

Ravangla

Laid-back South Sikkim town under a 130ft Buddha statue

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Best time to visit Ravangla

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: March to April and October to November
  • Shoulder: May and December to February, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? MarchAprilOctoberNovember

Ravangla season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Clear, cold mornings at Buddha Park. Good light for the Kanchenjunga range from Tendong hill.

Summer March to May Prime time

Mar-Apr rhododendrons bloom around the park; pleasant before the pre-monsoon haze sets in.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Cloud cover kills the panoramic views this town is built around; hill roads turn landslide-prone.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Best combination of clear skies and mild days. An easy, uncrowded stop between Gangtok and Pelling.

What Ravangla is actually like

Quiet monastery town, far fewer tourists than Gangtok or Pelling - good for slow days.

Things to do in Ravangla

The local places worth your time in and around Ravangla, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal)

    Park · 1 km out

    130 ft Buddha on a landscaped plinth with a relic hall underneath; small ticket, go early for clear peaks behind it.

  • Ralang Monastery

    Monastery · 13 km out

    Big Kagyu gompa with rows of monk quarters; the Pang Lhabsol and Kagyed masked dances pull the whole valley in.

  • Maenam Hill

    Trek · 2 km out

    3 hr climb through the sanctuary's oaks to a 3,260 m ridge; start by 7 am, cloud usually shuts the view by midday.

  • Temi Tea Garden

    Tea estate · 13 km out

    Sikkim's only tea estate, slopes you can walk between the plucking rows; the factory does short tours, best in spring.

  • Borong Hot Spring

    Hot spring · 16 km out

    Sulphur pools by the Rangeet, a steep 45 min walk down from the road; usable only in winter and the huts fill fast.

Getting to Ravangla

3-4hr shared jeep from Gangtok, en route to Pelling.

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Quiet at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
2135 m
State
Sikkim
Coordinates
27.2925, 88.3594

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Ravangla?

March to April and October to November is peak season in Ravangla. May and December to February is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. Best combination of clear skies and mild days. An easy, uncrowded stop between Gangtok and Pelling.

How many days do you need in Ravangla?

2 days is the usual stay. Quiet monastery town, far fewer tourists than Gangtok or Pelling - good for slow days.

How do you get to Ravangla?

3-4hr shared jeep from Gangtok, en route to Pelling. Practical ways in: road.

Is Ravangla expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs quiet at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

Is there a festival in Ravangla?

Aug-Sep: Pang Lhabsol at Ralang Monastery. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Ravangla?

Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal), Ralang Monastery, Maenam Hill, Temi Tea Garden and Borong Hot Spring. 130 ft Buddha on a landscaped plinth with a relic hall underneath; small ticket, go early for clear peaks behind it.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Sikkim

All 9 destinations in Sikkim