Sikkim
Sikkim is a state in northeast India. It borders Tibet in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest among the Indian states. Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kanchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest in the world.
Sikkim being a part of inner mountain ranges of Himalayas is hilly having varied elevation ranging from 300 to 8540 meters. But the habitable areas are only up to the altitude of 2100 mtrs. Constituting only 20% of the total area. The highest portion of Sikkim lies in its north west direction. A large number of mountains having altitudes of about seven thousand meters stands here with – Kanchenjunga (8598 m.), The third highest peak in the world. The high serrated, snow capped spurs and peaks of Kanchenjunga look attractive consisting of Kumbha Karna (7711 m.), Pandim (6706 m.), Narsingh (5825 m.), Kabru Dome (6545 m.), etc. A number of glaciers descends from eastern slopes of Kanchenjunga into Sikkim where snow clad line is found above 5300 mtrs. The biggest of them is Zemu, from whose snout above Lachen monastery rises the river Teesta. Teesta is the main river and its main tributaries are Zemu, Lachung, Rangyong, Dikchu, Rongli, Rangpo and Rangit which form the main channel of drainage from the north to the south.
The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded on the Silk Road by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. It was ruled by a Buddhist priest king known as the Chogyal. It became a princely state of British India in 1890. After 1947, Sikkim continued its protectorate status with the republic of India until 1975. In 1975 the Sikkimese monarchy was deposed off and Sikkim became the 22nd state of the republic of India
Modern Sikkim is a multiethnic and multilingual Indian state with diverse ethnic communities like the Bhutia, Lepcha, Tamang, Limbu, Newar, Rai, Gurung, Magar, Sunwar etc. living together in peace and harmony. The official language is Nepali along with English and some other regional languages. English is taught in schools and used in government documents. The predominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism. Sikkim’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism. Sikkim has the highest share of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming in India and has achieved to become the first organic state in India. In recent years, the government of Sikkim has extensively promoted tourism. As a result the state revenue has increased 14 folds than in the 90’s
Places in and around Sikkim
Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.
Sights and attractions in Sikkim
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Baba Mandir
Baba Memorial, popularly known as the Baba Mandir is located on the way to Nathula Pass.
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Borong and Ralang Cha Chu
Borong and Ralong Cha Chu are hot water springs that are located along the banks of the Rangit river. These springs are said to have medicinal properties.
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Char Dham
Char Dham is a huge pilgrimage cum cultural complex which covers an area of 29 hectares on Solophok hill in Namchi.
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Darap village
Darap village situated about 8 Kms from Pelling is one of the few places that offers a refuge from the noise and the crowd of the city.
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Doling Gompa
Doling Gompa is situated on a small hillock in Barfung village. The monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi monastery which is also known as the Yuksom monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Gangtok
Gangtok situated at an altitude of 1650m is the capital and the largest town of Sikkim.
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Gurudongmar lake
Located at about 5400mts, Gurudongmar lake is one of the highest lake in the world, surrounded by snow clad mountains makes it strikingly beautiful.
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Kewzing
Kewzing(Land of wheat fields) village is located about 76 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 1700mts against the backdrop of magnificent view of mountains like Mt Narsing…
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Khecheopalri Lake
Khecheopalri (wish fulfilling lake) is a small tranquil Lake, surrounded by prayers flags and forested hills. It is located about 34kms away from Pelling.
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Lachen monastery
Lachen monastery also known as the Nogdrub Choling Gonpa is situated at an altitude of 2750m on the top of the village commanding a panoramic view of the…
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Lachung
Lachung is a small town situated at an elevation of about 2900m at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung chu.
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Maenam Hill
Situated at an altitude of 3140m, it is about 12 kms uphill trek from Ravangla The route winds through a thick forest of oak, chestnut, rhododendron and magnolia.
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Mangan and Singhik
Mangan is the district headquarter of the North Sikkim district, it is located about 55kms from the capital Gangtok.
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Martam Village
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Martam village offers a calm and quite refuge with excellent mountain view.
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Namchi Guru Statue – Samdruptse
Samdruptse which translates as "The wish fulfilling hill" in local Bhutia language is a short distance uphill from Namchi town, on the hill stands a 45mts tall giant…
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Ngadak Monastery
Ngadak Monastery is located at a short distance of about 10 minutes drive from Namchi and is one of the oldest monasteries in Namchi.
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Norbughang Throne
The Norbugang Coronation Throne is of great importance to the people of Sikkim because it was here Phuntsog Namgyal, the first Chogyal (King) of Sikkim was crowned by…
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North Sikkim
North Sikkim is the most rugged and the most spectacular district of Sikkim and is the largest of the four districts in Sikkim. It has its district capital at Mangan.
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Pelling
Pelling perched on a narrow ridge at an altitude of 2150m with spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the surrounding ranges.
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Pemayangtse monastery
The Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, and the headquarters of the Nyingmapa order of the Tibetan Buddhism.
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Phodong Monastery
Phodong monastery located about 28kms from Gangtok is one of the historic monasteries belonging to the Karma Kagyu sect.
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Phur Tsa chu
Situated on the bank of River Rangeet is the hot spring 'Phur Tsa Chu'. It is about half and hour drive from Legship and one hour drive from Jorethang.
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Rabdentse Ruins
Rabdentse was the second capital of Sikkim till 1814 A.D., it was destroyed by the invading Gurkha army and only the ruins of the palace and the chortens…
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Ralang Gompa
Ralang Monastery also known as Karma Rabtenling monastery is situated at a distance of 8 kilometres from Ravangla.
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Ravangla
Also spelt Ravongla has a spectacular setting on the road between Gangtok and Pelling.
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Rayong Sunrise View Point
Rayong Sunrise View Point is situated at a distance of about 8 Kilometres from Ravangla on the way to Damthang.
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Sangachoeling monastery
Sanga Choling monastery is situated on a hill top opposite to the Pemayangtse monastery. It is about 45 minutes walk through thick forested area.
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Serdup Choling Monastery
Located against the picturesque setting of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Serdup Choling Monastery is one of the major attractions of Namchi.
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Singshore bridge
The Singshore suspension bridge is the highest bridge in Sikkim and the second highest bridge in Asia. It is an example of modern engineering marvel.
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South Sikkim
The district headquarter of south Sikkim is at Namchi. There are no additional permits required for visiting here and other places in south sikkim.
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Tashiding
Tashiding monastery is perched on a hill top with an astounding backdrop of Mt. Kanchenjunga, over the Rathong and the Rangit River.
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Temi tea Garden
Sikkim's only Tea garden established in the year 1960's by Chogyal Palden Thundop Namgyal, the tea produced here has a rare combination of liquor & flavor and fetches…
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Tendong Hill
Tendong hill is a small flat stretch of land above Damthang overlooking Namchi, situated at an altitude of 8530 Ft surrounded by lush green forest, it has become…
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Tsomgo lake
Tsomgo lake also known as Changu lake is situated at an altitude of 3700mts at a distance of about 38kms from Gangtok.
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Yuksom
Yuksam was the first capital of Sikkim, where according to the historical records, the first Chogyal of the Kingdom of Sikkim was consecrated in 1642 A.D.
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Yumthang Valley
Yumthang Valley also known as the ‘Valley of flowers' is situated at a distance of about 25kms from Lachung.
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Yung Drung Kungdrakling
The Bon Monastery is located at a distance of about 10 kms from Ravangla at Kewzing and is the only one of its kind in Sikkim.
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Trips that visit Sikkim
- Bhutan Festival & Sikkim TourDay 02-03: Gangtok, Sikkim 17 days
- Introduction of India, Bhutan & NepalDay 7: Fly to Bagdogra-Drive to Gangtok 19 days
- Darjeeling Sikkim Bhutan TourDay 3: Darjeeling – Gangtok 12 days
- Dagala TrekDay 6: Gur- Lambatama 11 days