Saramsa Garden, Gangtok - Timings, Entry Fee, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 14 km from Gangtok SNT Bus Station, Saramsa Garden is a recreational public garden located between the slopes of Gangtok and Pakyong in the north-eastern state of Sikkim. Known as Ipeca Garden, it is one of the ideal picnic places to visit in Gangtok.

Saramsa Garden was established in 1922 by the then Forest Manager Bhim Bahadur Pradhan. Covering an area of 6 acres, this garden is maintained by the Sikkim Forest Department and Tourism. Initially, the garden was introduced for growing fruits for the local colonial officers. Until1940, various fruit trees such as banana, orange, pineapple and guava were grown here. Later, the garden became known for cultivating the medicinal plant ipecacuanha and thus the garden is named as Ipeca Garden. The plant was imported from Malaysia and used for producing Emetine, a powerful alkaloid which is of great significance in medical research.

When growing of ipecacuanha was discontinued in 1970, the garden was transformed into an orchidarium and a recreational garden for picnickers. The garden has a big green house, which preserves wide range of orchids. Most of the plants that you see here today were introduced during 1975 to 1980. The scenic beauty of the place attracts the attention of many tourists and picnickers.

Numerous developments have taken place in the garden over the years. A contemporary Convention Centre has been built in the garden which can accommodate 500 persons. The garden has some sections known as blocks. One section has a mini foot bridge over a mini pool and a garden full of hedging plants that have been given different shapes. And another block has a bench under the shade of the trees to relax. The musical fountain and swimming pool are the recent additions.

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 per person