Sikkim is one of India’s smallest states, with only roughly 7096 square kilometers. This little state is a wonderland of splendor. Snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, vibrant rhododendrons, beautiful waterfalls, and a vast tea garden may all be seen here. Additionally, monasteries are a good place to look for tranquility. Traveling in the state is fantastic. Therefore, we choose to visit it to take it all that this state has to offer us. So based on our expertise, we will provide all the information you need to visit, while booking a flight and traveling in this state. East, West, North, and South are the four central regions of Sikkim. Similar divisions apply to local tourism. The central town is Gangtok, therefore no matter where you travel, you can always start from here.
Table of Contents
How to reach Sikkim?
The closest railhead is NJP, while the closest airport is Bagdogra. From NJP or Siliguri, shared jeeps may take you to Gangtok. There are shared vehicles to travel between the major cities and villages. However, because they are short in number, you must verify the shared jeeps’ schedules.
Best time to visit Sikkim:
The best times to visit Sikkim are from March through June and from September through December because of the lovely weather. Sikkim experiences snowfall in January and February. Whereas it is best to stay away from the area from July to August. This is the monsoon season and there could be a possibility of landslides. Next, Summers are consistently warm. During the winter months (Late December to February), snowfall is common.
Tips to remember:
- Don’t forget to carry some woolen clothing because Sikkim is always cold.
- When traveling, bring a bottle of mineral water or water purification pills because the tap water may not be safe to drink.
- In Sikkim, one can’t smoke in public since it’s unlawful.
- Avoid throwing the wrappers wherever on the road when you are in Sikkim since you can face consequences.
- Keep a cheque or debit/credit card on hand as an alternate payment method. Do so rather than carrying a significant amount of cash.
- Your journey to Sikkim wouldn’t be complete without going to some of the restricted areas that need official permits to access. This is because Sikkim borders Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Before beginning your trips, obtain a border permit or regular permit.
- When visiting Sikkim, it is crucial to respect the local customs and traditions. When you are in a monastery or another important religious or cultural location, act appropriately.
- Plan to stay in a clean, reasonably priced homestay or guesthouse.
- Lastly, try to organize your trip in a group so that you can avoid a lot of the extra expenses.
Food options in Sikkim:
Though tasty and fresh, Sikkimese food isn’t particularly spicy. The flavors, ingredients, styles, and other components of the dish are largely consistent with those found in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Sikkim, a region known for its rice consumption, combines everything in and around it in a subtle but natural way. This beautiful hill town is well known for its distinctive cuisine, which is mostly a blend of Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine. It provides the ideal culinary experience. Momos, Thukpa, and a local beer known as “Chang” are further staples of the cuisine. Due to the region’s unique ecosystem, fermented dishes are also popular.
Places I visited in Sikkim
1. Gangtok
The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, is one of the most well-liked hill resorts in India. It is very appealing, delightfully noisy, and shrouded in clouds. The village, which is at a height of 1650 meters above sea level, provides breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjunga on sunny days. We went on the Dzongri Trek since that was our only motivation for coming here—to have some adventure. Next, there is a wealth of natural beauty and a variety of natural attractions in Gangtok and the neighboring areas. We had the opportunity to see Tsomgo Lake, Ban Jhakri Falls, and Tashi Viewpoint.
2. Nathula
Nathula is a mountain pass in the Himalayan ranges. This highest motorable road connects Sikkim with China. Every year, a large number of people come here to go hiking in the valley and take in the natural splendor. Along the route from Gangtok to Nathu La, a lot of waterfalls burst. It also provides a chance to view the stunning snow-capped mountains that surround the region. Here, we were able to see the Himalayan animals including Tibetan wolves, yaks, snow leopards, and Tibetan gazelles. We also saw an incredible array of fauna since Nathu La Pass features a vast variety of plants too.
3. Gurudongmar Lake
Gurudongmar Lake, one of Sikkim’s fifteen tallest lakes, is at a height of 17,100 feet above sea level. We decided to catch a glimpse of it as well since the location’s magnificent and picturesque splendor is amazing and draws visitors from all over the world. Because many visitors take Gurudongmar Lake water with them on their way back, it is thought to have healing properties. Nearby is a “Sarva Dharma Sthal,” which is a well-liked site of devotion for people of all religions. We spent the night here before traveling to this magnificent lake.
4. Kanchenjunga National Park
The Kanchenjunga National Park is north of Sikkim and is named after the third-highest mountain peak in the world. It is surrounded by the powerful Himalayas. With its unique biodiversity, this location is a hiking paradise with a varied environment and spectacular vistas. The park, which is in the lovely state of Sikkim, has a sizable area of 850 sq km. We explored a variety of rare and indigenous plants and animals, including the Snow Leopard and Himalayan Tahr. Furthermore, in the national park, there are a lot of glaciers. The Zemu glacier is the largest and has an extravagant length of 26 kilometers.
5. Thangu Valley
Thangu, a picturesque town located approximately two hours’ drive from Lachen at an elevation of roughly 3900 meters, is close by. Tourists frequently stop in this cozy town to unwind before beginning their hike to Gurudongmar Lake, Muguthang, or Cho Lhamu Lake. In Thangu Valley, there are rows of trees, and as one climbs higher, a breathtaking view of the Tibetan Plateau becomes visible. This charming village is the ideal entryway for someone like me who enjoys the outdoors. The breathtaking hiking routes that lead from Thangu to destinations like Muguthang and Chopta Valley enhance the village’s charm.
6. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
At a height of 10,000 feet, Barsey is most known for its Rhododendron Sanctuary, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The sanctuary is in West Sikkim and is quite accessible by road through Hilley, Dentam/Soreng from Geyzing. There are around 600 different Rhododendron species, together with other forms of flora in the Barsey Rhododendron Refuge. The location, which covers an area of 104 sq. km, is well known for being the habitat of the endangered Red Panda and Black Bear Himalayan species. Leopards, wild dogs, deer, and Himalayan Palm civets are among the numerous creatures that we saw here.
Bottom words:
Sikkim is a beautiful state in India to visit and you must give it a try. You will love this amazing place and find it interesting too. Try each of the above places and also have a pleasant journey while you go there.
