Sikkim offers the perfect trekking experience to its visitors and provides many opportunities for them to enjoy nature's beauty and wilderness. It comes in between Nepal and Darjeeling on one side and Bhutan on the other side with Tibet across Sikkim.
Sikkim is one of the most beautiful states in India with its lush green forests, magnificent monasteries and snow-capped peaks. The state has the highest peak in the country- Mt Kanchenjunga at 8598 meters above sea level.
The varied climate of Sikkim varies from subtropical to alpine conditions while altitude ranges from around 200 meters above sea level in South Sikkim to 8848 m high Kanchenjunga mountain in the northeast region.
Treks are ideal ways to explore the natural beauty that surrounds us with many trails ranging from easy to hard with some superb scenery throughout. There are several treks starting from both North & South Sikkim including Yuksom - Dzongri, Nathu La, Enchey-Damthang, Bhismaknagar.
Sikkim has a rich heritage in architecture and boasts around 160 monasteries and temples many built during the time of Chogyals (Kings) which were decorated with beautiful murals and paintings that tell the stories from the birth of Lord Buddha to his Enlightenment. Sikkim is also known for its wonderful thangka paintings.
Many ancient Buddhist monasteries and shrines dating back to 1642 AD when Lhatsun Chempo started building the Samdruptse fort at Yuksom are found in North Sikkim including Sanga -Choling Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Tashiding Monastery and Dubdi Monastery.
The monasteries in South Sikkim include Thongsa Gompa, Odalcholing monastery, Shanti Stupa & Phodong Monastery with the oldest built in 1740 AD by Lama Ngawang Namgyal after establishing a kingdom there.
Lepchas is the indigenous community of Sikkim and they are known as Bhutias elsewhere. They can be easily recognized as most men wear their hair long except those belonging to the warrior class who shave their heads completely.
With a population of around 30000 Lepchas live in the northern and eastern regions of Sikkim mainly practising their religion.
They have a rich cultural heritage with their own language that is different from Nepali, although they understand it quite well. They celebrate festivals like Losar (similar to New year), Shiv Ratri, Saga Dawa( birth anniversary of Lord Buddha) etc.
With an average altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, Sikkim offers excellent conditions for growing orchids which are one of its specialities; this land has 87% forest cover out of which about 31% is reserved for protection while the rest is protected through other forest laws and regulations.
Orchids and rhododendrons are Sikkim's pride and they grow in various parts of the state due to the favourable climate. They can be found throughout the year but bloom in March -April long with other flowers like primulas, honeysuckle (pat rika) and beautiful butterflies.
Many varieties of orchids are found in Sikkim during the summer months throughout which some of them are epiphytes (air plants) like Ghost orchid, Cymbidium, King Orchid (Phal Kesar), Spotted orchid (Dendrobium), Dendrobium tetragonum; while others are terrestrial like ground orchids- Gymnadenia conopsea.
Sikkim is also known for its Rhododendron flowers that bloom every spring covering the hills with snow like appearance called Laligurans. Rhododendrons can be seen in South & North Sikkim including Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary near Singtam and Maneybhanjang near Pelling.
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, located at an elevation of 1,650 metres (5,410 ft). It is a popular tourist destination and receives lots of visitors throughout the year.
Located at a distance of 120 km from the capital city, Gangtok. This place is totally covered with thick clouds throughout the year. It has a small monastery and a lake which reflects the shadow of the mountains all around it. Pelling
It is a scenic hill town located about 55 km from Gangtok. The place is known for its giant wooden Buddha statue and other attractions like waterfalls etc. Kanchenjunga National Park
The national park spreads over 777 square kilometres, making it one of India's largest national parks and offers spectacular views of the upturned prayer flags fluttering on top of Kanchenjunga – the third highest mountain peak in the world as well as picturesquely placed monasteries and Sikkimese homes. Pemayangtse Monastery
Located near the western district town of Pelling, the monastery contains a 15th-century statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and is an important religious site for Buddhists. It was built by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705.
One of the famous picnic spots in Sikkim, located at an altitude of 11,726 feet above sea level, Tashi viewpoint offers a panoramic view of Gangtok town to Nathula pass, other hilltops like Tholungtse peak, Dzongri Peak etc., including breathtaking views of nearby Kanchenjunga Mountain Range. The mountain ranges are covered with lush green forests and alpine meadows. It takes about an hour to reach the Tashi viewpoint from Gangtok.
Situated in East Sikkim near the Indo-China border at an altitude of 1,975 m (6,480 ft), this place is popular among tourists for its historical connections. The place has hot springs and a Buddhist monastery which is believed to have been established in 1641 by Lama Lhatsun Chempo.
This monastery, located at an altitude of 1,305 m (4,270 ft) above sea level near the town of Ravangla has images and wall paintings depicting important events from the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. The monastery was re-established here by Lama Lhawang Lodoe Dorjee in 1717. "Lhabab Dinchu" – fire prayer ceremony is performed annually on 28 February and marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava who introduced Vajrayana Buddhism to Sikkim and Bhutan. Indian Military Academy
Situated at Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand, this institution is one of the oldest military academies. It was established on 15 January 1932 and offers diploma courses to Indian Army officers.
Located about 81 km (50 mi) east of Gangtok, it spreads over 777 square kilometres (300 sq mi). This national park has flora like rhododendron, magnolia and orchids; fauna like Himalayan tahr, serow goral and red panda; as well as rich biodiversity including more than 200 bird species. Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir & Museum
This temple is located at Jalesh in the Sikkim district in the village of Barkhola. It has a museum that displays artefacts that belonged to Guru Harbhajan Singh, who was known as Babaji or father by all. The exhibits in the museum include his photographs in yogic postures and life-sized replicas of his bedroom & meditation room at his native place in Jammu.
At an altitude of close to 3400 meters, this place is known for the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary with rich flora and fauna. The valley is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall.
Ugyen Menjong Choling Monastery at Pelling in Sikkim House near Jorethang in South district houses a life-sized statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) consecrated by Dudjom Rimpoche in the presence of Trulshik Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
It was built during the reign of the Namgyal dynasty's King Tshugphud Namgyal (1856–63), has a golden roof and contains valuable paintings of the Zhabdrung dynasty. It is located in Sikkim's capital Gangtok.
Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, this stadium hosts traditional sports events like archery and yak races during the Losar festival in February every year.
The gateway to East Sikkim, Zuluk is a small hamlet in the East district of Sikkim, popular for its scenic beauty and close proximity with Tibet. The town is surrounded by imposing mountains and offers views of the Kanchenjunga Mountain Range. The place situated at an altitude of 10, 000 feet above sea level looks like another Ladakh. You can take up trekking here; however, you require permission from the Tourism Department in Gangtok.
Pelling another important place in Sikkim, is a small hill station that lies at an altitude of 5160 feet. It is also known as the 'queen of hills' and famous for its several interesting places to visit like Rumtek Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Enchey Monastery and its monastery which is believed to be built by Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo. The Gangtok zoo close to Pelling is also worth visiting. Other Places To Be In Sikkim These are but a few places that should be visited while on a tour to Sikkim.
Pelling attracts thousands of tourists every year for its lakes and rivers, waterfalls, temples and other interesting structures. There are many hotels available here to provide you with all sorts of basic amenities during your visit. It lies close to Geyzing and Gangtok and has quite a few shops and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine which is known for its diversity and richness. One can also see several species of orchids here that adds to the charm of the place.
It is a small mountain town in West Sikkim which lies at a height of 1050 meters above sea level. It has several shops and restaurants that offer a variety of local delicacies to visitors, as well as several hotels to provide comfortable accommodation options. Tourists also visit the nearby places like Ralang Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Kumar temple and many others en route to Kewzing from Geyzing or Gangtok.
Rumtek Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim. It was built by another Tibetan saint, Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok who pioneered the construction of many monasteries across Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh. The monastery has an impressive structure which also contains a huge Buddha statue.
Enchey Monastery
This place lies close to Pelling and offers wonderful views of Mt Khangchendzonga (Kanchenjunga). Enchey Monastery is said to be inhabited by Mechungri Dorje Rabten, a sibling of Guru Padmasambhava. This monastery is well known for its ancient statues and paintings that attracts tourists from all over the world.
This park is home to many endangered species of animals like snow leopard, musk deer and blue sheep. The best time to visit this place is between September & February when the weather is pleasant.
The monastery is believed to have been built by the Tibetan saint Lhatsun Chempo in the 17th century. The place also has a statue of Trichen Tenpai Nyima, who was one of the sons of Tashi Namgyal. The monastery has a pleasant serene environment and ancient paintings that will give you great insights into history.
These two monasteries are situated at a close distance from each other and represent old Buddhist traditions with their ancient structures and statues. They are approx. 14 km from Gangtok. Rigsum Gonpa, Rumtek Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Enchey Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Khangchendzonga National Park and Lacheng & Shing Dzong monasteries are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Sikkim.
It is one of the highest lakes in Sikkim whose water never freezes even during winter. The lake has its own legends behind it according to which it is believed that high lamas created this lake by throwing holy stones into a swampy area where parakeets (birds) lived. These birds were later transformed into little fish; however, they still remain visible as Khecheopalri Lake seemed to be different from other surrounding lakes.
One of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, Pemayangtse Monastery has its legends and history according to which it was built by Lama Lhatsun Chenpo. The monastery is located close to the Lingdum Monastery that was built during the same time as Pemayangtse.
This place is located approximately 28 km from Gangtok and is popular for its scenic beauty and the famous massif of Kabru. This place also houses a Forest Research Institute and several forest tribes who live here in harmony with nature around them.
The park spread across a 45 sq-mile area at an altitude of 4500 feet has been recognised as a Religious Sanctuary since 1983. The park houses the famous monastery of Kanchenjunga which is believed to have been built by Guru Padmasambhava himself. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sikkim.
This lake is considered to be holy and has the capacity to cure ailments of those who take a dip in its water. It is one of the highest lakes in India and is believed to be unaffected by global warming as it is located at an altitude of 16,000 feet with no human habitation around it.
It is located at an altitude of 17,000 feet and is used as the gateway to Tibet. It was built during the 14th century by Lama Lhatsun Chempo an important figure in building monasteries across Sikkim.
Located close to the Indo-China border, it is a high altitude lake with a beautiful scenic view of the Himalayan ranges. It is believed that this lake was built by Guru Padmasambhava himself as he had stayed here for weeks together during his visit to Sikkim.
A valley with a number of monasteries and highly revered by Buddhists. It also has a monastery dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava who is one of the important religious figures in Sikkim.
Ravangla is located at an altitude of 6,500 feet. It houses Lord Adinath’s statue which has been moved from Nepal to this place by its king after realizing the importance of the place. The statue was carved out of a Rock! This monolithic statue has made this village special for Jains who visit it in large numbers.
Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet, Cholamu Lake is one of the highest lakes in Sikkim. The water from this lake is supposed to have medicinal properties that will cure skin diseases.
This place is famous for its scenic beauty and Buddhist monasteries. It is located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and views of the high Himalayan range can be seen from here during the winter months.
People believe that Guru Padmasambhava himself built this monastery when he visited the state in the 8th century. Monks of this monastery are believed to be skilled in curing various ailments with the help of herbs and plants found locally.
Tashiding Monastery
Located close to the Khecheopalri Lake, the monastery is famous for its viewpoint consisting of deities on walls surrounding it. The place is said to have been visited by Guru Padmasambhava many times.
Located close to the Ralang Village, the monastery was built during the 11th century and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sikkim. It has an ancient Chorten which is believed to have been built during the 8th century.
A famous trekking destination and famous for its scenic beauty. The place is famous among the trekkers for its views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Cholamu Lake in the backdrop. There are several monasteries in this region that were built by Guru Padmasambhava during his visit to Sikkim.
This monastery was built by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1930 A.D. in the memory of his mother. The place is famous for its scenic beauty with pine trees adorning the backdrop of Tso Lhamo Lake.
Kabru is located at an altitude of 18,000 feet. It was this place where once the famous Kabru Trail was used to begin which facilitated trade between Sikkim and Tibet. This trail also witnessed gunfights mostly between British soldiers and the Chinese army during the early 20th century.
This place is famous for its scenic beauty and is famous for its Tashiding Gompa. The monastery was built by the Lepchas during the 17th century.
Geyzing is a town located at an altitude of 5,000 feet. This place has a number of monasteries that were built by Guru Padmasambhava during the 13th century.
The Northeastern part of Sikkim is called ‘west Sikkim'. It is the wettest region in Sikkim and experiences heavy rainfall during monsoon months. The climate here varies from semi-arid to subtropical.
Located at an altitude of 3,000 feet, this is one of the most famous valleys in west Sikkim. It is surrounded by forests and mountains on all sides with rhododendron trees lining up the forest floor.
This is the third smallest district in Sikkim and has a number of waterfalls. It also houses Singalila National Park where trekking trails are available for tourists.
The place was once famous for its hot springs which were believed to cure different kinds of diseases. The place is now known as Yumthang valley. The place is also famous for its snow-clad mountain range which attracts tourists from all over the world during the winter months.
The place is famous for its hot water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
The place is famous for its hot water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
The place is near Singalila National Park and is famed for its hot water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
The place is famous for its hot spring and has two separate hot water - one with sulphur content and the other without sulphur. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
Located towards the north, this is the second smallest district in Sikkim. It is also known as ‘karakorum’ due to its mountains and glaciers. The flora and fauna of this place are unique in themselves with rhododendron trees adorning the lush green forest floor.
The place is famous for its hot water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
Rumbak is near the Indo-China border and is very close to India’s border with Tibet. This place has a number of Buddhist monasteries and is also famous for its hot springs.
The place is famous for its hot water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
This place is famous for an ancient Buddhist monastery called ‘Ralang Monastery’. This place also houses the Namchi Monorail which was built in 1998 and is Asia's first monorail service.
This place is famous for its Gyalshing Gompa which was built by Lama Lhatsun Chembo in 1663 AD. The place is also famous for its hot springs which were believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
The place is famous for its hot spring and has two separate hot water - one with sulphur content and the other without sulphur. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
Tendong Hill is located in the West district of Sikkim. The place has a monastery called Tendong Lho Rumfaat which was built by Lama Palden Yeshi in 1852 AD. This is one of the holiest places for Buddhists and sits at an altitude of 8000 ft above sea level.
The place is famous for its hot springs which were believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
This is another ancient monastery that was founded by Lama Lhawang in 1701 AD.
This village is known for its hot springs which were believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
The place is famous for its hot springs which were believed to have medicinal properties. A natural pool of hot water has been developed here artificially by chiselling out a place for people to swim in it.
This area is known for its hot springs, which were supposed to have healing properties. By cutting out a location for swimmers, an artificial pool of scalding hot water has been created here artificially.
The park was established in 1986 due to the highest concentration of snow leopard found here. This place is also known for its beautiful orchid and rhododendron trees.
The high altitude meadow which is situated at an elevation of 20000 ft above sea level was extremely difficult to be spotted but it has been named after Ness’s son – Lhona.
This place is famous for its rhododendron flowers which can be seen from March to May.
The stupa was built in honour of Lama Yeshe Losal who died on 6th January 1984, after being stabbed by an assassin at Bodhgaya.