Himalayan Zoological Park

The Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park is spread over 230 hectares over an entire hill, and is an attempt to house animals in a natural environment. The enclosures are huge with a shed for the animal to rest in and in some enclosures you really have to search to sight the animal. The zoo houses relatively few animals; most of them from this region, but it are an impressive effort, one that can be improved by better management of crowds.

Due to the size of the zoo, there is a well laid road running through it, which runs from the gate to the top of the hill, where the biggest attraction of the zoo is housed―the Snow Leopard. There is also a watch tower here, which gives you a panoramic view of the zoo and its surroundings, including a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga.

Apart from this, the zoo also houses the Himalayan black bear, the blue sheep or gharals, a pair of red pandas, Himalayan palm civets, leopards, and a variety of wild cats. Besides the animals housed here, the zoo also has a profusion of trees which grow here naturally, as well as a variety of birds.

Additional information: The Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park is located about 3 Km from Gangtok on the hill opposite Ganesh Tok.

Note: The zoo is open from 9 am to 4 pm every day except Thursday, when it is closed. Vehicles are allowed into the zoo till a point after which you have to walk. Please check with the zoo authorities at the entrance if vehicles are allowed till the watchtower.