Territory capital · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (monsoon)
- Airport
- PYG
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Aritar112 ▾
- Police / ambulance112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Aritar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch mountain roads and keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPYG Pakyong Airport (≈4 h drive to Aritar via taxi or shared jeep).
- Getting aroundPrivate taxi or shared jeep from Gangtok (≈4 h).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeTea/coffee at a local tea shop₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1)
- Street or quick mealSnack (momos or thukpa)₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2)
- Budget bedHomestay room, a night, per room₹1,000 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedDak Bungalow room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedDak Bungalow room, a night, per room₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PYG Pakyong Airport (≈4 h drive to Aritar via taxi or shared jeep)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Aritar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
14 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
15 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
14 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Private taxi or shared jeep from Gangtok (≈4 h). Within Aritar walk to lake, falls and monastery; roads are narrow, no public transport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gangtok
cautionDoor to door: ≈8 h round trip
Taxi or shared jeep, about 4 h each way
Long drive; only if you have extra time.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dak Bungalow (Ari‑Bangla)
Historic British bungalow 500 m below the lake; basic rooms, limited services.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–₹1,800 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,000–₹3,000 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- High
- ₹3,500 (≈ US$40)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dak Bungalow room1 × 1 night × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Taxi Gangtok → Aritar one way1 × ₹2,500 · check | ₹2,500 |
| Boat ride on Aritar Lake1 × ₹200 · check | ₹200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹540 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,940 per person per day, bed included | ₹5,940≈ US$70 |
Historic British bungalow, basic amenities; book through local contacts.
2026 estimate in INR; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tea/coffee at a local tea shop | ₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Snack (momos or thukpa) | ₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Boat ride on Aritar Lake | ₹150–₹250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be slippery in monsoon; check weather before travel.
- Limited medical facilities; carry basic first‑aid.
- No ATMs; bring cash in INR.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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AritarAritar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
कृपया इस पते पर ले चलेंTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance112
Embassy
Nearest Indian consular services are in Gangtok.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gangtok → Aritar taxi: ≈₹2,500 one way, 4 h drive (check)
Say or show
- कितना है? — How much does it cost? (kitna hai?)
- मुझे टैक्सी चाहिए — I need a taxi (mujhe taxi chahiye)
- झील कहाँ है? — Where is the lake? (jheel kahan hai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Aritar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in the bungalow for a relaxed visit.
- Combine with a trek in Lungchok valley (overnight) if seeking hiking.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Aritar
- secondaryWikivoyage: Aritar, revision 5263874 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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