Sikkim - In The Buddhist Country

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Sikkim, though a small state, is known for its immense natural beauty. Tourists from all over the world visit Sikkim to experience the exquisiteness of the snow capped mountain ranges, high mountain passes, glaciers, hot springs, high altitude lakes, rivers, waterfalls and streams.

Situated in the north eastern part of India, Sikkim is nestled in the Himalayan range and shares its borders with Nepal in the west, Tibet in the north-east, Bhutan in the south-east and West Bengal in the south. Gangtok, the capital, is also the largest city of Sikkim.

Until 1975, Sikkim was ruled by the Chogyal Kings.

The mighty Kanchenjunga (8586 meters), the highest peak in India and the third highest in the world dominates the skyline and is considered to be the protector of Sikkim.

The only open border between India and China, Nathu La, lies in Sikkim.

Though a small state, continuous land slides during rain and snow affects the quality of the road and it takes a lot of time to cover short distances. If visiting Sikkim it is always better to plan your travel and choose the most suitable Sikkim Package for ...
... you.

Sikkim Packages are divided according into, East Sikkim, West Sikkim, South Sikkim and North Sikkim.

Gangtok and its surrounding areas fall under East Sikkim. The tourist spots in East Sikkim are Rumtek Monastery, Changu Lake, Nathula, Khanchendzonga Cultural cum Village Tourism Complex at Ranka, Jurassic Park, Rakdong Tinten, Lingzey-Khedi Trek Route, and Tumin.

Soreng, Varsey, Dentam, Sombaria, Gyalshing, Legship Tashiding, Uttarey, Rinchenpong, Yuksam, Pelling, Khecheopalri, Pemayangste and Hee-Bermoik are some of the places to be visited in West Sikkim.

In the southern district, visit the monasteries, stupas and chortens at Namchi, Ravangla, Jorethang Samdrupste, Solophok and Buddha Park (Sakyamuni Project). These monasteries showcase the Buddhist religion through their Thangkas, wall paintings and old scriptures.

An ardent trekker would choose a Sikkim Package that would take you to North Sikkim where destinations like Mangan, Chungthang, Dzongu, Lachung, Singhik, Lachen, Phodong, Kabi, Gurudongmar and Yumthang can be explored. On the way visit the water falls at Lachen and Lachung, the monasteries in Phodong, and the hot springs and wild orchids in the Yumthang valley and pay reverence to the sacred Gurudongmar Lake.

Sikkim does not have an airport. Siliguri in West Bengal is the nearest airport. Helicopter service connects Gangtok to Bagdogra once a day. Sikkim does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station to Sikkim is Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. Sikkim is connected to all the neighbouring cities by road. Private vehicles can be hired to reach Sikkim from Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri and Bagdogra.

The best time to visit Sikkim is from March to June and September to December.