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Voykit pocket guide · India
Aritar
Spend a half‑day in Aritar, reachable in about 4 h drive from Gangtok; one night only if you want to stay in the historic bungalow.
Aritar is a remote East Sikkim hamlet on the Himalayan fringe, known for its lake, waterfalls and a 19th‑century British bungalow. It is a good stop‑over when traveling between Gangtok and the eastern border, but the sights are few and close together, so a single day (or an overnight for a relaxed pace) suffices.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (monsoon)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–₹1,800 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,000–₹3,000 excl. bed · High ₹3,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea/coffee at a local tea shop | ₹30–₹60 |
| Snack (momos or thukpa) | ₹80–₹150 |
| Boat ride on Aritar Lake | ₹150–₹250 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PYG · Pakyong Airport
- ≈4 h drive to Aritar via taxi or shared jeep
Typical fares
- Gangtok → Aritar taxi
- ≈₹2,500 one way, 4 h drive (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Private taxi or shared jeep from Gangtok (≈4 h). Within Aritar walk to lake, falls and monastery; roads are narrow, no public transport.
See and do
Known for
- Aritar Lake (Ghati‑Tso)
- Aritar Gumpa monastery
- Changey waterfall
- Dak Bungalow (1895 British bungalow)
- Kali Khola (Lonely) waterfall
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gangtok | Taxi or shared jeep, about 4 h each way | ≈8 h round trip |
Sleep
- Dak Bungalow (Ari‑Bangla)
- Historic British bungalow 500 m below the lake; basic rooms, limited services.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | कितना है?kitna hai? |
| I need a taxi | मुझे टैक्सी चाहिएmujhe taxi chahiye |
| Where is the lake? | झील कहाँ है?jheel kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Roads can be slippery in monsoon; check weather before travel.
- Limited medical facilities; carry basic first‑aid.
- No ATMs; bring cash in INR.
Generally safe for tourists; watch mountain roads and keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Aritar yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Aritar Lake (Ghati‑Tso)
- Aritar Gumpa monastery
- Changey waterfall
- Dak Bungalow (1895 British bungalow)
- Kali Khola (Lonely) waterfall
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Aritar: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Aritar, revision 5263874 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5263874
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Aritar
कृपया इस पते पर ले चलें
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / ambulance112
Nearest Indian consular services are in Gangtok.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/aritar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.