There are THREE reasons why you should go to Sikkim, a tiny state in the North East of India with Gangtok as its capital. But once here, you will easily find a hundred reasons to stay. Plenty of Sikkim Tour Packages are available for the first time traveler as well.
1. Adventure: It is a land of mountains. Well, Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world is located in the state. That naturally translates into some serious adventure, if you are up for it. Then there is Yak safari, rafting and plenty of trekking trails.
2. Food: Delicious momos, thupkas and wontons…who hasn’t enjoyed digging into these? Beer, whiskey and run are widely consumed, not to mention certain home-made brew.
3. Peace and Calm: Yes, Sikkim is well known for its spiritualism. Not surprisingly, seekers of peace and calm throng this state and its monasteries looking for inner peace. Rumtek Monastery – the most popular of them all, is where you learn of Tibetan Buddhist culture. The most unusual birds are also present inside the monastery complex.
Did you that Sikkim is India’s cleanest state and is also completely organic! Sikkim is also the least populated state in India and the people and their hospitality will make you weep with joy. Tourists swear that Sikkim is a home away from home – or at least, you’ll be made to feel like it. There are 11 official languages here.
Flora and Fauna: Sikkim has it all – from tropical to the alpines. The state’s botanical and zoological richness is awe- inspiring, with over 4,000 species of plants and 30% of all the birds found in the Indian sub-continent. Guess which is the state animal? The Red Panda!
Things to know
Foreign nationals: Sikkim has certain entry restrictions. In fact the entire state is under restricted area regime due to its proximity to neighboring countries like China. And therefore all foreign nationals require Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any part of Sikkim including Gangtok. This permit is also popularly known as Inner Line Permit (ILP). Indians however do not require this.
Transport: The closest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport, near Siliguri in West Bengal, about 125 km (77 miles) from Gangtok. Buses run frequently between the two states. Alternatively, you can hop on a helicopter (run by the Sikkim Helicopter Service) that connects Gangtok to Bagdogra for a thirty minute flight. Book in advance.
Things to do in Sikkim
There is a lot to do in this tiny state blessed with natural beauty, soaring mountains, rivers, monasteries, historic monuments. Lately, it has become even more popular among tourists looking for something different. The sheer diversity of its geography is mind boggling – you can go from tropical to alpine in a matter of hours – which means, whatever be your choice of activity, this place has it all.
While you are here, why not visit the following.
- Rafting in Teesta River
- Paragliding in Gangtok
- Cable car ride
- Visit Tsomgo Lake (special permits required even for Indian citizens)
- Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
- Yak Safari
- Bungee Jump at Singshore Bridge.
Sikkim darjeeling unforgettable trip. The pic are awsome