Rumtek
The Karma Kagyu seat across the valley from Gangtok
Rumtek sits on a ridge facing Gangtok across the Ranipool valley, at about 1,550 m. The village is small, a scatter of houses, shops and monks' quarters among terraced fields, but its monastery is one of the most important in the Tibetan Buddhist world. The Dharma Chakra Centre was built in the 1960s by the 16th Karmapa after he left Tibet.
The monastery follows the traditional plan of the Karmapa's old seat at Tsurphu in Tibet. A large courtyard leads to the main prayer hall, painted inside with murals and lined with long rows of seats for monks. Behind it is the Golden Stupa holding the relics of the 16th Karmapa, and above stands a college for higher Buddhist studies.
Below the main complex is the old Rumtek monastery, a much smaller and older temple that is often missed. Combine the two with a walk through the village and a stop at a tea shop, and you have a quiet morning away from Gangtok's traffic. Security is tighter than at other monasteries, so carry photo ID.
Highlights
What Rumtek does best
A tall hall with painted pillars, murals and statues, where you may hear monks chanting in the morning or afternoon.
A gilded reliquary holding the remains of the 16th Karmapa, in a shrine behind the main hall.
A small, older temple below the main complex, quieter and much less visited.
From the monastery approach you look straight across the valley to the capital spread along its ridge.
A handful of families host guests, which lets you see the monastery at dawn and dusk without crowds.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Rumtek
Shared jeeps to Rumtek leave from the Gangtok taxi stands a few times a day, mostly in the morning and early afternoon, for about ₹60–100 a seat. Return seats are fewer after 3 pm.
A reserved taxi from Gangtok for Rumtek with waiting time costs about ₹1,500–2,200 and takes an hour each way via Ranipool. Many drivers add Lingdum (Ranka) monastery for a little more.
Bagdogra is the nearest major airport, about 120 km away. Pakyong airport is closer, but flights have been irregular. Check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Most visitors stay in Gangtok and come to Rumtek for half a day. If you want a night here, there are a few simple village homestays and small guesthouses near the monastery for about ₹1,200–2,500 per person with meals. They are quiet, cheap and handy for morning prayers, but choice is limited, so book ahead in spring and autumn.
From our planners
Five things to know
- Carry a passport or Indian photo ID; it is checked at the monastery gate.
- Visit in the morning, when monks are at prayer and the light is good for photographs.
- Walk downhill to the old Rumtek monastery, which most tour groups skip.
- Dress modestly, remove hats and shoes in shrine rooms, and walk clockwise.
- Do not photograph inside the main hall unless a monk says it is allowed.
The local story
The Karmapa who rebuilt his seat in Sikkim
The first monastery at Rumtek was built in the mid-18th century under the 12th Karmapa, Changchub Dorje, one of several Karma Kagyu temples in Sikkim. By the 1950s it had fallen into disrepair. Its revival came from an unexpected direction: the Chinese takeover of Tibet.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Rumtek
How far is Rumtek from Gangtok?
Rumtek is about 24 km from Gangtok, roughly an hour by road via Ranipool. Although it looks close across the valley, the road drops to the river and climbs again. A reserved taxi with waiting time costs about ₹1,500–2,200, and shared jeeps run a few times a day for about ₹60–100 a seat.
What are Rumtek Monastery's opening hours?
The monastery is usually open to visitors from early morning until about 5 or 6 pm, with the main hall sometimes closed during rituals or at lunchtime. Morning visits are best for chanting and light. Timings are set by the monastery and can change, so check locally on the day.
Do I need ID to enter Rumtek Monastery?
Yes. There is a security checkpoint at the gate where police record visitors' details. Indian nationals should carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport, and foreigners need their passport and Sikkim Inner Line Permit. Bags may be checked. The process is quick outside peak hours.
Is it worth staying a night in Rumtek?
For most travellers a half-day trip is enough. A night is worth it if you want to hear early-morning prayers, walk the village after day-trippers leave, or simply rest somewhere quieter than Gangtok. Homestays are basic but warm, and the monastery is a short walk away.
What is the Golden Stupa at Rumtek?
The Golden Stupa is a gilded reliquary that holds the remains of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who founded the present monastery and died in 1981. It stands in a shrine behind the main prayer hall. Access is sometimes restricted, so ask a monk whether it is open on the day.
Can I combine Rumtek with other sights?
Yes. Most drivers combine Rumtek with Lingdum, also called Ranka, a newer monastery about 20 km from Gangtok, and sometimes with Banjhakri Falls park on the return. That makes a comfortable half-day trip. Avoid combining Rumtek with Tsomgo on the same day, as they are in different directions.
Is Rumtek suitable for elderly travellers?
Mostly yes. Cars stop a short walk below the gate, and the walk up to the courtyard is a gentle slope of a few hundred metres. Inside, there are steps to the main hall and more steps to the upper buildings. Go slowly and take water. The old monastery below involves more steep steps.
What should I wear at Rumtek?
Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and bring an extra layer, as halls can be cold even in summer. Remove shoes and hats before entering shrine rooms. Rumtek is a working monastery with hundreds of monks, so behave as you would in any place of worship and keep voices low.
When are the masked dances at Rumtek?
Rumtek holds masked dances at certain points in the Tibetan calendar, notably in the days before Losar in February or March and on some summer dates linked to Guru Rinpoche. Dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year, so ask the monastery office or a Gangtok travel agent for the current schedule.
Nearby
Pair it with
Sikkim's capital on a ridge above the Ranikhola valley
A glacial lake at 3,753 m on the road to Nathu La
A tall Buddha above the clouds, and Sikkim's only tea estate below
A boot-shaped lake and farm homestays below the Silk Route
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