ARITAR GUMPA MONASTERY SIKKIM

The Aritar Gumpa, also known as the Ari Gumpa, is a monastery located near Pakyong, Sikkim. This monastery is famous for being an important vantage point for the best views of the Himalayas. From lush green mountains and winding roads, the views from this monastery are definitely worth it. This monastery is one of the oldest of its kind but is often missed by tourists. It is loaded with the most interesting artefacts worth checking out, ranging from ancient manuscripts, painted murals, and traditional architecture. 

This monastery belongs to the Karma Kagyu lineage in Buddhism and has Tibetan origins too. It is situated at a height of 4600 feet above sea level and is an offbeat place to visit on your Sikkim trip. The best part of this monastery is that you can also get a glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga from its viewpoint. 

Highlights

• Meditate in the monastery and understand what it's like to experience peacefulness.
• Walk by the Aritar lake and go boating with some of the best views of the Himalayas. 
• Try spotting Mount Kanchenjunga from any of the hotels you are staying at Aritar. 
• Explore the Aritar Dak bungalow and learn about how it was converted from a British bungalow to a modern day hotel.
• Experience a home stay in any of the home stays in Aritar and unwind amidst the best of nature. 
• Visit the Mankhim temple and know more about its religious and cultural significance. 

How To Reach

1 By Car: The Aritar Gumpa is 44 kms from the city centre of Pakyong, it will take 1 hour 23 minutes min via the Nh 717 route.

Best Time To Visit

Aritar Gumpa is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year. 

• The best season to visit Aritar Gumpa will be the summer season from February to May because this is the time when the climate is pleasant. 
• The best day in the week will be the weekdays due to less crowds regardless of any time of the year. 
• The best time of the day will be morning due to less crowds and a favourable temperature. 

Other Essential Information

• Since the monastery is a place of worship, visitors are expected to stay silent and respect the sanctity of the place. 
• Do not drop litter anywhere and dirty the premises of the monastery as it can be a hassle for the monks. 
• Aritar can get pretty cold at any point of the year, so be prepared by carrying enough winter outfits. 
• Apart from hotels, you can also find a lot of home stays at Aritar for a calm and relaxing time.
• Although summers are relatively warmer, do be prepared for occasional fog and mist when you are exploring.