Travel to Sikkim

Sikkim is one of the most beautiful states in India.

In the past decade the state has worked hard for the promotion of tourism and as a result, today it receives the largest number of international tourists after Goa and Kerala.

The chief attractions of Sikkim are the pine and cedar covered mountains, the roaring streams and the rich Buddhist culture.

Travel to Sikkim
How to travel Sikkim
Tourist Atraction in Sikkim
Major Cities in Sikkim
Places to stay in Sikkim

Any time of the year is ideal for travel to Sikkim except the rainy season (May-September). It is connected to the rest of India only by road.

The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal. The nearest airport is Baghdogra near Siliguri. Travelers should reach Siliguri town either by air or by rail and then travel to Sikkim by bus or hired taxi or jeep.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is a beautiful little town nestling over 7000 feet up in the Himalayas. The drive from Siliguri to Gangtok is a treat by itself, with the river Teesta in her gorge hugging the winding road most of the way. Legend has it that Teesta had once entered into a race with Rungeet, the other major river in the state.

The wily Rungeet coursed straight ahead but Teesta, taking guidance from a crow, meandered along, thereby losing the race. Furious on realizing her defeat, she wreaked havoc on the plains she descended into. Even today, the sudden transformation of Teesta, from a frolicking mountain stream into a wide, fearsome river as soon as she reaches the plains, is a terrific sight.

Gangtok itself is a center of Buddhist culture with three monasteries –the Rumtek, The Enchey and the Tsuklakang, having bright frescoes depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology. The Enchey monastery is also famous for the prayer wheels the form a girdle around it. These are placed in such a way that turning one sets scores of them rolling! For the more intellectual tourist, Gangtok also has an Institute of Tibetology where one can delve into the intricacies of Mahayana Buddhist mythology and philosophy.

Pemeyangtse is a place located near the town of Ghyalshing in West Sikkim, a panoramic six-hour drive from Gangtok. It has an ancient monastery with beautiful statues of the Buddha.

Sikkim is also famous for its delicious Tibetan cuisine, especially the momos (steam cooked dumplings) that are typically eaten with a fiery red-chilly sauce. Another gastronomic delight is the Tibetan tea flavored with salt, Yak’s butter and pieces of cottage cheese made from Yak’s milk. The cheese, cubes of which are dried and strung like beads, is available for sale and keeps for a long period. Sikkimese cherry wine is another recommended takeaway, apart fro statuettes of laughing Buddhas, Feng shui figures, prayer wheels and silken wall hangings.

Travel to Sikkim is very famous among trekkers and Gangtok is famous for it’s Buddhist culture, Buddhism is a major part of their culture and travel to Sikkim helps you to unwind in the mountainous terrain and enjoy mountainous sports like trekking, hiking, mountain climbing etc.