Adventures & Sports

Sikkim is a paradise for adventure sports lovers. Its fabulous topography offers a dazzling variety of adventure options. Go climbing, trekking, enjoy river rafting, try mountain biking, take a yak safari or thrill to the joy of hang-gliding.

There are more staid options such as special interest tours like exploring the world of orchids, wildlife and butterflies ....... or just meandering leisurely down sylvan trails, not far from snowy peaks ......

The captivating landscape, with an incomparable diversity of flora and fauna, Sikkim is a refreshing treat to the trekkers. Sikkim is the ultimate destination for a trekking holiday, offering everything from easy and short excursions to the long challenges of the snowy peaks, invoking visions of the spectacular Himalayas, the lush meadows, green woodland and fragrant orchards.

Technical climbing experience is not necessary as most of the trek routes are between 6000 and 14,000 feet. Camping & trekking equipment is available on hire from the tourism department and from reputed travel agents. The ideal time to go trekking is mid February to late May and between October and mid December.

Trekking in Sikkim:
Sikkim has to offer a number of fascinating trekking routes to enterprising trek enthusiasts. The best time to trek in these parts of the Eastern Himalayas is between mid- February to May and again from October to December. The treks pass by beautiful gompas, simple but colourful hamlets and through so fascinating alpine forests full of a rich variety of flora and fauna. Yuksom is an ideal take-off point for trekking. This point is invariably used as a centre of climbing and trekking expeditions by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. The trek to Bakhim is an unforgettable B experience. Dzongri at an altitude of 3,962 metres, offers the visitor an excellent and unobstructed view of the Khangchendzonga Massif. It also provides a trekker with superb views of sunrise and sunset.

Treks offered in and around Sikkim:
Dzongri Trek
Goechala Trek
Singalila Trek
Greenlake Trek
Greenlake/ Yumesamdong
North Sikkim Trek

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Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking is another adventure that has been recently introduced in Sikkim. Most of the roads in Sikkim are negotiable by mountain bikes. This sport is definitely poised to become popular in Sikkim in the near future. This sport is being promoted in most parts of North Sikkim & West Sikkim.

The popular routes for Bikers starting from Gangtok are:
Phodong - Rangrang - Dikchu - Makha - Singtam or
Gangtok - Lingdum - Rumtek - Martam - Sang - Makha - Singtam - Singchuthang - Temi Tea Garden - Ravangla - Dentam - Sombarey.

Another popular desired route in East Sikkim is :
Gangtok - Bhusuk - Assam Lingzey - Pakyong - Rorathang - Rhenock - Rongli - Aritar.

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Mountaineering
The Sikkim Himalayas, the epitome of the world's mountains, encompass a wonderland, which for sheer beauty and magnificence remains unbeaten elsewhere in the globe. In the southwestern part of Sikkim, in the main Himalayan range, lies the majestic Khangchendzonga or Kanchenjunga, rising to a staggering height of 8,585 m (28,169 ft) above sea level. Beside this third largest peaks, other famous mountaineering peaks in (7,365 m) and Sinolchu (6,887 m). Mountaineering expeditions, unlike trekking, require more planning and paperwork as clearance is required from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi. Besides these the local governments also impose royalties on certain peaks.

Essentials:
The best season to climb in Sikkim is from May to October. Foreign expeditions have to book a peak along with a peak fee. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation(IMF) is the country's apex body that helps in organising/ sponsoring mountaineering expeditions. It is mandatory for Expeditions in Sikkim to take a liason officer from the Sikkim Mountaineering Association along with the liason officer from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. IMF functions as a clearing house for foreign expeditions and deputes a liasion officer to accompany foreign climbers. All requests have to be forwarded to IMF for clearance.

It is advisable to give atleast a six month's notice before embarking on an expedition. All emergencies and accidents are looked after by the liasion officer who helps to get rescue from the Indian Air Force.

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River Rafting
White water rafting is a later entrant of adventure sport in Sikkim. Only the Teesta and Rangit rivers offer long stretches which are ideal for safe rafting. Teesta has been graded on the International scale at Grade 4. The icy cold waters of the rugged Teesta have a series of rapids with varying intensity and character. It offers one of the finest rafting stretches in the world. Rangit, a tributary of the Teesta, has more turbulent experienced rafters.

Kayaking: Kayaking is undertaken on the River Teesta and is arranged for special groups. Some experience in kayaking is required. Kayaks are available with Sikkim Tourism.

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Yak Safari
Yak Safari is an unforgettable and unique experience organized in different areas of Sikkim. Popular trails are Dzongri area and Tsongmo lake. You will get to ride the yak in Tsomgo Lake and in various trekking points like Dzongri in West Sikkim onwards.

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