Ravangla itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Ravangla

1. 01

   Day 1: Buddha Park and Ralang

   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.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park)	1.5–2.5 hours	Moderate	Early morning for clear views; October–November and March–May for the best visibility

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park): The site is on a slope with long paved paths and flights of steps up to the statue. Older visitors usually manage it slowly with rests, and battery-powered cars inside the park have been offered for a fee (ask at the ticket counter). Benches are limited and mist makes steps slippery.

Plan 02

2 days in Ravangla

1. 01

   Day 1: Buddha Park and Ralang

   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.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park)	1.5–2.5 hours	Moderate	Early morning for clear views; October–November and March–May for the best visibility
   Ralang Monastery (New Ralang)	1–1.5 hours, plus the drive	Moderate	Morning, when monks chant; March–May and October–November for clear weather
   Old Ralang Gompa	30–45 minutes	Easy	Morning or early afternoon in dry weather

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park): The site is on a slope with long paved paths and flights of steps up to the statue. Older visitors usually manage it slowly with rests, and battery-powered cars inside the park have been offered for a fee (ask at the ticket counter). Benches are limited and mist makes steps slippery.

   With parents at Ralang Monastery (New Ralang): The drive is on winding hill roads, which some travellers find tiring. At the monastery there are steps up to the main hall and courtyards, but the climb is short and you can go at your own pace. Cold stone floors inside; carry socks.

2. 02

   Day 2: Kewzing and Temi

   Drive to Kewzing for the Bon monastery and a village walk, then continue to Temi Tea Garden for the tea slopes and, if arranged, the factory. Return to Ravangla for a quiet evening.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Temi Tea Garden	2–3 hours, plus the drive	Easy	October–November and March–May; clear mornings for views

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 03

3 days in Ravangla

1. 01

   Day 1: Buddha Park

   Spend the morning at Tathagata Tsal and the afternoon resting or strolling in the bazaar.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park)	1.5–2.5 hours	Moderate	Early morning for clear views; October–November and March–May for the best visibility

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park): The site is on a slope with long paved paths and flights of steps up to the statue. Older visitors usually manage it slowly with rests, and battery-powered cars inside the park have been offered for a fee (ask at the ticket counter). Benches are limited and mist makes steps slippery.

2. 02

   Day 2: Ralang, Kewzing and Temi

   Visit Ralang's two monasteries in the morning, then Kewzing's Bon monastery and Temi Tea Garden after lunch.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Temi Tea Garden	2–3 hours, plus the drive	Easy	October–November and March–May; clear mornings for views

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

3. 03

   Day 3: Tashiding or a hill walk

   Take a full-day trip to Tashiding Monastery, about 39 km away, or, if you are fit, a guided walk on Tendong Hill or the lower slopes of Maenam. Namchi's Siddhesvara Dham is an alternative day out.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Tashiding Monastery	Half day on site, full day with the drive	Moderate	February–March for the Bumchu festival; otherwise October–May
   Tendong Hill	Half to full day	Demanding	October–November and March–May, early start

   Pace: Tendong Hill involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Tashiding Monastery: The approach includes a walk and steps up to the hilltop complex, and the final stretch is steepish. Take it slowly, carry water and allow rests; seating is limited.

   With parents at Tendong Hill: The walk to the top takes about 2.5 hours on foot according to Wikivoyage, uphill on forest trails. Not recommended for those with limited stamina; weather changes fast and the trail can be slippery.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Ravangla trip for parents and children

• Ravangla is at about 2,100 metres, so take it easy on the first day, drink water, and avoid long climbs until you have adjusted.
• Travel by private car with a driver who knows hill roads; winding roads can cause motion sickness, so take tablets if you are prone to it.
• See sights in the morning, when the air is clearest, and keep afternoons for rest as cloud and rain often arrive after lunch.
• Carry warm layers even in spring; evenings are cold and many rooms have limited heating, so ask about heaters or hot water.
• Skip the Maenam summit and the hot-spring walk if stamina or knees are a concern; Buddha Park, Ralang and Temi are far gentler.
• Check that your hotel has a lift or ground-floor rooms, as many hill hotels are built on slopes with steps.

Ravangla with elderly parents: the full guide →