Gangtok - India’s Coolest Mountain Town?

We begin this journey at the Tsuklakhang Monastery, where Ronnie unpacks the meaning behind the name Gangtok - “Gang” meaning hill and “tok” meaning cut - a city carved into the mountains. For the first half of our stay, we called Netuk House home - an 80-year-old traditional Sikkimese homestay tucked right in the heart of the city. A space filled with history, warmth, and stories… but what truly stayed with us was the food. Authentic Bhutia cuisine, prepared with so much love - the kind you just won’t find anywhere else. From there, we explored the Orchidarium on the Ridge - a beautiful, immersive space that’s an absolute must-visit if you’re in Gangtok. But beyond the places, what really stood out to us was the way life moves here - the calm, respectful traffic (no honking, no chaos), and the incredible cleanliness across the city. It’s rare, and honestly, refreshing. Of course, we had to dive into Gangtok’s food scene - and it did not disappoint. From local favourites to modern cafés, every stop was memorable. We visited: Dragon Wok, Chacha’s Aloo Chura, Craft Theory, House of Bamboo, and Taika - each offering something unique, and all absolutely worth checking out. On Christmas Eve, Ronnie wandered through a lively pop-up market on the Ridge - full of food, drinks, local crafts, and festive energy. A perfect glimpse into the spirit of the place. Later, we shifted base to Pangthang and stayed at Summit Norbughang Signature - just 20 minutes from Gangtok, but a completely different vibe. Quiet, expansive, and surrounded by stunning views - the perfect reset. One experience Barty had been looking forward to for a while was the Lal Bazar Sunday Haat - and it absolutely lived up to it. A vibrant local market overflowing with fresh produce, textiles, and everyday life. If you’re in Gangtok, don’t miss this. We also spent time at the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, where we got to witness young artists keeping traditional crafts alive - from thangka paintings and wood carving to weaving, mask making, and carpet work. It’s not just about preserving art, but also helping these artists build sustainable livelihoods - something truly inspiring to see. We ended this chapter with a subscriber meet-up hosted at Tag Along Travel Café. It was equal parts beautiful and surreal. Meeting so many of you, hearing your stories, sharing a moment together - it reminded us why we do what we do. Grateful, always. If you’re in Gangtok, here are some places we highly recommend: • Netuk House (you can also call ahead and book a meal even if you’re not staying):   / netukhouse   • Tag Along Travel Cafe:   / tagalongtravelcafe   • Dragon Wok:   / thedragonwok.gtk   • Craft Theory:   / crafttheoryofficial   • House of Bamboo:   / houseofbamboo1988   • Taika:   / taika.gtk   • Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom:   / sikkim.dhh   You can Support Us by signing up to join the R&B Squad -   / @ronnieandbarty   Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free 14 day trial: https://fm.pxf.io/ronniebarty-freetrial For more details about our EQUIPMENT check out our AMAZON STORE - https://www.amazon.in/shop/ronnie_and... Created by: Ronnie & Barty   / ronnie_and_barty   00:00 Welcome to Gangtok 01:29 The most beautiful homestay - Netuk House 05:00 Orchidarium on the Ridge 07:40 Driving Etiquette 08:26 MG Market and Clean & Green Sikkim 09:31 Foodgasms! Food tour 13:00 Christmas Eve at the Ridge 14:01 Pangthang - a quiet escape 15:14 Lal Bazar Sunday Haat 18:52 Beautiful Handicrafts of Sikkim 21:59 Our first ever Meet Up!