Ravangla, also written Rabong, sits at roughly 2,100 metres (about 8,000 feet) in South Sikkim, on the road between Gangtok, Namchi and Pelling. It is a small market town rather than a resort: one main bazaar, a taxi stand, a scatter of hotels and homestays, and a ring of hills that fill with cloud by midday.
The reason to come is the cluster of sights within an hour's drive. Tathagata Tsal, the Buddha Park, puts a copper Buddha about 40 metres tall above the town. Ralang's monasteries lie below it, Kewzing's Bon monastery sits along the Legship road, and Temi Tea Garden, Tendong Hill and the Maenam forest fill out the rest. Few of these need more than an hour or two, which makes Ravangla easy to pace.
It works well for older travellers if you accept two things. Weather is changeable, so plan sights in the morning and keep afternoons flexible. And the roads are winding hill roads, so a private car and a driver who knows them is far more comfortable than shared jeeps. Two nights covers the main sights; three lets you add a day trip to Tashiding or Namchi.
It is also cold for much of the year. Pack layers even in spring, and treat monsoon months, with heavy rain and landslide risk on hill roads, as a time to avoid unless you have a flexible schedule.
Before you plan
Ravangla at a glance
- Best months
- March to May and October to NovemberMarch to May and October to November; December to February is cold but clear, and June to September brings heavy monsoon rain
- Ideal trip length
- 2 nights for the main sights2 nights for the main sights; 3 nights if you add Tashiding or Namchi
- Airport
- BagdograBagdogra (IXB) in West Bengal, about 125–130 km and roughly 4 hours by road; Pakyong (PYG) near Gangtok has had limited and unreliable flights
- Railway station
- New JalpaiguriNew Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 120–125 km and roughly 3.5–4 hours by road
- Getting around
- Private car or taxi is the most…Private car or taxi is the most comfortable; shared jeeps and a few buses run to Gangtok, Namchi and Gyalshing
- Daily budget
- Varies widelyVaries widely; a car and driver is the main cost, so ask for a day rate and confirm what it includes before you commit
- Senior comfort
- Good with planning: sights are shortGood with planning: sights are short, but roads are winding, the town is at altitude and many sights have steps
- Language
- Nepali is widely spokenNepali is widely spoken; Sikkimese (Bhutia), Lepcha, Hindi and English are also used, and English is understood at hotels and sights
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Ravangla: March, April, October, November. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Ravangla itinerary
One good day
1 day in Ravangla
Reach Tathagata Tsal early, while the air is clear, and spend about two hours on the gardens, the temple and the viewing terraces. Drive down to Ralang for the monastery and, if time allows, the older gompa about 1.5 km below. Have lunch in town and rest. In the late afternoon, take a short walk through Ravangla bazaar for tea and momos.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Ravangla
Start with Tathagata Tsal in the morning, then lunch and a rest. Visit New Ralang Monastery and Old Ralang Gompa in the afternoon, ideally catching the monks at chanting.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Ravangla
Spend the morning at Tathagata Tsal and the afternoon resting or strolling in the bazaar.
Day-by-day plan →
