Sikkim

Just Heaven
Gleaming like a lost jewel in the folds of the Eastern Himalayas between West Bengal and Nepal, Sikkim is one of India's hottest holiday destinations today. Imbued with history and mysticism, obscured by thick forests and guarded by a cavalcade of holy peaks, the remote state of Sikkim is luring visitors by leaps and bounds recently.

Its dramatic topography - ever-changing..... ever-enduring, is a feast for the senses. Sikkim's vast unspoiled mountain ranges are a trekker's delight and the rivers an unforgettable experience for rafters. Its forest riches include stunning varieties of orchids and rhododendron, bamboo groves and cardamom. Adventure tourism activities are one of its biggest attractions, as more and more new places are opened up for discovery. Standing sentinel over this ancient kingdom is the magnificent and much revered Mt. Khangchendzonga, an intrinsic part of the Sikkimese pantheon, and said to be home of the state's guardian deity.

Bounded by Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet, this "lost horizon" is home to over 4000 species of plants, almost all of them rare. Its great trekking trails leading to hidden lakes and ancient monasteries are the ideal routes to discovery for its vast wealth of natural beauty. An eco-tourism haven, it is still one of the last frontiers of ecological splendour largely unframinelled by the ills of over-development.

The Nepalese called it Sukhim - 'The New Place'; for the Bhutias seeing those endless tracts of paddy fields it was Demazong, 'The Valley of Rice'. But its original inhabitants - the Lepchas understood this land best - for them it was simply 'Nye-mae-el lang'abode of the Gods.

Spread over 7096 sq km, it enfolds the upper valley of the Teesta River, the major tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River. Its southern borders with West Bengal are shared with the Rangit and Rangpo Rivers; the Singhalila Range acts as a natural barrier with Nepal in the west and the Dongkhya Range runs along the borders from the north to the north east. Elevations range from 270 m above sea level in the south to over 8589 m in the north and north western region.

This land of intense natural beauty, imbued with a mystic aura, is steeped in legends and history. The profusion of lofty peaks, holy lakes, ancient monasteries, orchid nurseries, heli-tours and stunning trekking routes make Sikkim a multidimensional holiday destination.

Gangtok (1572 m), the capital city in the east district, is the seat of governance and the primary hub of commercial activity. The drive up the Teesta gorge to this prettily located first town of Sikkim is spectacular. The pile of white water rafting equipment near the river bank, at one point, reminds you how popular this tumultuous waterway is becoming for adventure sports enthusiasts. Situated a short distance from it is the ancient Rurntek Monastery. The town is a convenient base for trips to the ethereal environs of the mystical Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La.

Flower-filled meadows and hot springs, splendid vistas and tribal culture lure travellers to the north district just perfect for cultural tours and tribal village visits.

The stunning environs of the west district are adventure sports country. There's white water rafting down the Teesta and Rangit Rivers and trekking through rhododendron forests amongst the mountainous tracts. The misty, fairytale-like village of Pelling, the great tourist attraction, has sensational views of Mt Kanchendzonga. Close by is the sacred, prayer-flag encircled Khecheopairi (wishing) Lake. Some of the oldest monasteries in Sikkirn are located in its south district, which is the starting point for treks to Maenam and Tendong Hill. This is mountain biking country and a haven for naturalists.

Top