All About Traveling in Serene Sikkim

Sikkim is the second smallest state of India which is situated between Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Sikkim is full of cultural, historical, and natural wonders and a perfect travel destination for the people who want to find the peace of mother nature. Sikkim is one of the least explored and lucrative gems in north India which deserves more attention and appreciation. Sikkim has an unreal view to offer from the closest peak of the world’s third-highest mountain Kanchenjunga to glaciers and wildflowers.

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Sikkim is nestled at the foot of the Himalayan range. Thus, it has extremely cold winters. The summer Sikkim is wet and humid. The best time to visit Sikkim is October-November and March-May. During these times the temperatures are pleasant for every type of tourist and sky is also clear for proper view. You can visit Sikkim is winter too but due to heavy snowfall and landslides, most of the roads are closed in that period. Gangtok is the capital, life, and gateway to Sikkim. One of the most sought-after places in the town is the pedestrianized M.G (Mahatma Gandhi) Marg which is lined with shops and restaurants. There are other tourist spots like Rumtek monastery. There is Tashi viewpoint, Ban Jhakri Falls, Ridge flower park, Enchey monastery, Lhasa falls, Saramsa garden among the top-visited places.  There is also a good museum Namgyal institute of Tibetology which is worth a visit. Apart from that, Gangtok is a place to relax and plan your next travel destinations in Sikkim. Pelling is the most popular of the small mountain towns. From Pelling town, you can walk to two lovely monasteries and a helipad and enjoy amazing views. SanghakChoeling monastery is a steep 45-minute walk from the town. On the other hand, 300 years old Pemayangtsi monastery is an easy 40-minute walk and is a bit more of a tourist attraction. Visitors need to pay to enter (50 INR for foreigners). The place is intricately decorated and there is also a small museum.

Lachungis rated as one of the most picturesque and culturally thriving little towns in Sikkim for its snow-covered peaks, sparkling waterfalls and gurgling streams. Lachung Gompa is a must visit during your vacation in North Sikkim. Located on a hill top amidst serene settings of apple and peach orchards with a stunning view of towering Himalayan peaks. Yumthang Valley is mostly known as the ‘Valley of Flowers’.This picturesque valley lies at an elevation of around 11,600 ft. above sea level. This valley is full of lush slopes and stretches of colourful mountain flowers. The breath-taking panoramic view of vibrant flowers spread across wide stretches of the valley with a mountain river flowing through its middle and snow-capped peaks of ‘Pauhunri’ and ‘ShunduTsenpa’ overlooking the valley from a distance. The valley is also home to the ‘Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary’ which is renowned for its numerous species of Rhododendrons. The valley and sanctuary get painted in hues of red during April-May when all these varieties of Rhododendrons are in full bloom; it really is a sight to behold. Zero Point remains covered in snow throughout the year. It is likely that you can experience fresh snowfall even in the month of June. Snow everywhere in the region is the major draw for tourists visiting this place. Tourists need to take the inner line permit from the Army authorities before visiting the Zero Point. Yuksom an ideal holiday destination for people seeking extreme quiet and peace of mind. To witness numerous glaciers, huge variety of flora and fauna, rare varieties of birds and many wild animals like snow leopards, musk deer, red panda and Himalayan black bear; a visit to the Kanchenjunga National Park is a must. To enter in the park, it requires special permissions from the State Tourism Department or the Wildlife Education and Interpretation Centre in Yuksom.

How to go:

At present, the only means of communication in the whole country with Sikkim is National Highway No.10. The mountain road takes three and a half hours to reach Gangtok. That road is also closed due to landslides at many times of the year. Although air travel was introduced a few years ago, it is still uncertain due to weather and environmental factors. Moreover, the convenience of flight is beyond the reach of many ordinary people.

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Written by, Sabbir Ahmed Seam References (Information Collected)

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