Enchey Monastery sits on a forested ridge above Gangtok at an elevation of about 1,900 metres, a steep climb from the main town but worth every step. The monastery belongs to the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism and was established in 1909 on a site considered sacred for much longer. On clear mornings, the views from the compound take in the full sweep of the Himalayan foothills and, if you are lucky, the distant summit of Kangchenjunga.
The monastery houses around ninety monks. The prayer hall is richly decorated with thangkas, butter lamps, and statues, and you are welcome to sit quietly while monks conduct their morning rituals. The walk up from MG Road takes about thirty minutes and passes through pleasant forest; taxis can also take you most of the way.