Hotel Serenade Manor Gangtok review

Hotel Serenade Manor is not a luxury hotel, but has well furnished rooms with the usual phone & TV that is to be seen in any hotel room. The hotel itself has only about a dozen rooms. The rooms are comfortable enough with attached bathroom having basic toileteries. Mineral water and newspapers are available on request. 

The hotel looks quite attractive from outside, as many buildings in Gangtok do, with pretty window frames. However, if you are aiming to get some scenic views from your hotel, forget it. There is no view to speak of! This is not a great disadvantage as the purpose of visiting a lovely hilly region is to get ecstatic over breath-taking views isn't it?! So only if you are not unduly bothered about views you could stay here.

Another minus point about this hotel is that if you get up early, you are unlikely to get any quick service (if at all) because it is a practically dead place during the early morning hours with no helpful staff around. A huge red banner outside informed us that pure vegetarian food & Gujarati specialities was available. Well, let me tell you, the food is nothing worth talking about. It is strictly Ok and very highly priced.

Room rates start at about Rs.1,600/- per day (taxes extra). Rooms available are Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe.You have to pay extra for laundry services. Transfer to and fro from the airport or railway station is NOT free.

Address of Hotel Serenade Manor Gangtok:
Tibet Road, (S.G. Marg), 
S G Marg,  
Gangtok,
Sikkim

Gangtok Sikkim Tourist Train Package

IRCTC is offering low budget tourist packages to Sikkim, including Gangtok. The Tour Itinerary is: Gangtok-North Sikkim-Peling tour package. The itinerary includes visits to the Valley of Flowers and the Seven Sister Waterfalls, two of the best tourist attractions in Sikkim. Visits to a few monasteries is also included.

 
Gangtok Sikkim Tour Package Features:
* Non - AC Comfort accommodation on twin sharing basis.
* All transfer according to itinerary in Non AC vehicle (6 in one) or Comfort bus.
*  Meals on MAP plan (breakfast & dinner)
*  Train fare
*  All taxes.
It does not include:
* Portage facility, tips, insurance, liquor, room service, mineral water, camera charge, telephone calls , herbal massage, etc
* Entry Fees, Guide Charges, etc.
* Train food.

Gangtok Sikkim Tour Package Prices
* Comfort (3AC): Rs. 13,750/- [Adult, double occupancy] / Child (5-11yrs.) with extra bed: Rs.10,750/-
* Standard (Sleeper): Rs.12,550/- [Adult, double occupancy] / Child (5-11yrs.) with extra bed: Rs.10,050/-

Important Note: You need to carry Identity proof and 2 photographs.
Click here for more details of Sikkim Tourism Package

Shopping in Gangtok

Your entire shopping expedition in Gangtok, Sikkim will likely be centered on one road: M.G.Road, named after the Father of the Nation, Gandhiji. This is because M.G.Road, Gangtok is the shopping hub for both locals and tourists. There are dozens and dozens of shops lining the street on both sides, selling goods from jackets to boots, wooden masks to dolls, tea to wines. Note though, that most of the goods are expensive and it is practically impossible to get the rates down even after hard bargaining. Most of the shopkeepers will just not bring down the rates.

However, during the off-season, you could definitely get huge discounts! One of the shops recommended is the Indo-Tibetan shop. If you have time, it is a good idea to compare the rates in the shops on M.G.Road with those in the State Handloom & Handicraft Emporium, Gangtok (located at Zero Point and accessible by taxi from M.G.Road).


What to buy in Gangtok: you absolutely must buy: the cute doll key-chains (see photo below)

The keychains are actually much smaller - I have taken a closeup to show details - don't you feel lik hugging them?!

The winter jackets are of very good quality but extremely expensive, so unless you are staying in a really cold region, don't reach for your wallet! You can, though, get woolens at lesser rates during the summer months in Sikkim. Also, unless you really have a craze for curios, it is not worth buying expensive curios which will simply gather dust in your home whether it is a pretty wall hanging or a figurine. You could, though, buy local tea and fruit squashes if you are so inclined. 

Shop window stuffed with crockery, vases, figurines, and general curios

Don't forget to have a closer look at the artistic styles of the buildings and shops themselves, as well as the incredible views from the main shopping areas of Gangtok (see photos below). It is a photographer's delight to be there!

Tip: Due to the low excise duties, you can get wines at a lesser rate than if you were to buy in one of the major cities in India. However, do find out about Sikkim liquor permits, which are essential for taking out locally-made brews and wines outside Sikkim. Address for Liquor Permits in Gangtok: Excise office, M.G.Road, Gangtok.

For all that walking around, you do need comfortable footwear! 

Bakthang Falls Sikkim Tourist Attractions

The Bakthang Water Falls, a mere 20 minutes drive from Gangtok, is strictly a brief lingering-kind-of-stop-over tourist spot to look at.


For a more scenic waterfall and a truly beautiful floral sight, visit: Banjhakri Waterfalls in Sikkim

Banjhakri Falls Sikkim Tourist Attractions

Bakthang Falls is different!

An important tip for Sikkim tourists: don't let the guides fool you into taking you to the wrong Banjhakri Falls!! There is another falls with a similar name, the Bakthang Waterfalls (see photo alongside).

The Bakthang Waterfalls are pretty to look at, but absolutely nothing compared to the Banjhakri Falls.

Full name: Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park (this is the name you must tell your guide/driver)

Location: 4kms from the city of Gangtok

Entry Ticket

The word Banjhakri refers to the forest priest (ban means primitive; jhakri meaning shaman/priest). The Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park in Sikkim has life-like figures of these shamans and, of course, the lovely cascading waterfall. The park has got well laid out walking trails and gazebos dot the green landscape. Kids especially will love the splash pool dominated by a dragon. Unique floral species are a visual treat all over the park. There is also a cafeteria in the exhibition center to drive away hunger pangs. Angling enthusiasts can find out about the fishing spots along the stream which runs merrily through the Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park.

See the photos of the  Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park below and make sure you visit on your trip to Gangtok!

In keeping with the theme of being an Energy Park, the footbridge has solar panels along its walls

Footbridges and Gazebos dot the green landscape of the Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park

Closeup view of one of the Gazebos in the park

Waterfall cascading down on happy tourists

Water gently flowing down stone steps in front of foot bridge

Water tumbling over boulders

Initiation of boy by forest priest (banjhakri)

Indian Railways Low Cost Tourism Packages to Gangtok Sikkim

Indian Railways is organizing a special tourism package for visiting Gangtok Sikkim and Peling in the months of September to December 2010.

For just Rs.13,750/-you can enjoy a 9-nights/10-days railways tourism package which includes:
* Comfort accommodation on twin sharing basis in deluxe hotel/ resort
* All transfer according to itinerary in Non-AC Car
* Meals on MAP plan (breakfast & dinner)
* Train fare in 3AC by Darjeeling Mail

Click here for more information:  Indian Railways Dassehra Tourism Package