SIKKIM

Travel Guide

"The Land of Mountain Crests" Sikkim - the most beautiful nook in the Himalayas offers visitors nature in all its grandeur. The worlds 3rd highest mountain Mt.Khangchendzongna( 28,156 ft) and it’s attendant peaks - Pandim, Narsing, Kabru, Talung, Siniolchu, Pau-Hunri, Simvo, and Jopuno present a surreal vista unmatched in the world and which local legends will have you believe resembles an alter of the Gods. Come, look for yourself.

Leaving behind the sweltering plains of the Ganges, you will travel up through orchid-laced subtropical forests of the Himalayan foothills, steep gorges verdant hillsides dotted with terraced rice paddies that turn from a brilliant emerald green to a soft golden hue with the passing of the seasons. Amidst the high peaks nestle fabulous natural lakes worshipped by the people of Sikkim and about which legends abound.

Relax in one of Sikkim’s many natural hot water springs among vistas of snow clad mountains – our antidote to civilization. Come; discover Sikkim, truly the Himalayas at its best.

Crowning hilltops are fabled centers of Buddhist worship and learning, such as the monasteries at Rumtek, Enchey and Pemayangtse, to mention only a few. Awe inspiring Stupas and Chortens are set amidst fluttering prayer flags, and numerous prayer wheels spun by clear mountain streams tinkle melodiously to remind you that you are in the abode of the Gods. Come; explore the wonder that is Sikkim.

Generally Speaking

Area of Sikkim : 7,300 square Kms.

Population of Sikkim : 450, 000 ( approx.)

Commonly Spoken Languages : Sikkimese, Nepali, Hindi and English

Shopping :

Enjoy bargaining for Carpets, Carved Wooden Furniture, Handicrafts, Curios, Tapestry & Woolens, Local Attire & Costumes, Cardamom, Tea, Incense, Plants & Orchids, Sikkim Liquor, Perfumes, Wrist Watches and try your luck at lottery - you could go home a millionaire!

Climate :

Temperatures at Gangtok
Summer : Max: 20.7 C Min: 13.1^°C
Winter : Max: 14. 9 C Min: 7.7^°C

Clothing :

April to September : Light Woolen Clothes
October to March : Warm Woolen Clothes
Whichever season you do come carry some woolens and an umbrella for sun or rain

Permits :

Foreigners are required to obtain Inner Line permits which are valid for 15 days at a time and can be extended for a further 15 days once in Sikkim. These are available at all Indian Missions / Consulates abroad and Sikkim Tourism Offices at Delhi, Calcutta, Siliguri and Gangtok. While applying you must provide 2 passport size photographs and photocopies of the passport pages showing photograph and personal data and the page showing the Indian Visa. We advise you to obtain this before departing for India to avoid wasting valuable holiday time here.

Getting there :

International Airports : New Delhi & Calcutta. Once here board a flight for Bagdogra Airport, which is 124 Km. or about 5 hours away from Gangtok. You could also fly in from Kathmandu to Biratnagar, hire a taxi and proceed via Siliguri to Gangtok.

Rail Station : New Jalpaiguri is 114 Km. and about 5 hours. from Gangtok. It has regular trains from all parts of the country. If your train arrives at an odd hour take a retiring room at the station itself and await till daybreak. Soon adequate transport becomes available for Siliguri ( ½ hr.) and all upcountry destinations.

Buses & Taxies are readily available, there are no metered taxies, however the rates for all routes are fixed and drivers carry rate cards. Both Government and private bus services connect all major towns within Sikkim besides Siliguri, Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

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