Remote, wild and beautiful, the small state tucked in the eastern Himalayas is an experience simply out of the world.
Catch the sunrise atop the mighty Kanchenjunga; visit ancient Buddhist monasteries and tea gardens; enjoy a nature walk; or relax amidst peaceful environs of emerald green Lake. The last of the Shangrilas, Sikkim offers the magical feel of a Himalayan fairytale land. It is an amazing place of hidden valleys, mystical monasteries, and snow fed mountains covered with rare flora and fauna. A collage of three distinct ethnic groups – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese – this former kingdom offers a colorful melange of distinctively flavored cultures.
Entry Formalities
Apart from the Indian Visa a foreigner must also obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. The permit can be obtained from all the Indian missions, Tourism Office (New Delhi), Sikkim Tourism Office (Calcutta and Siliguri), on the basis of the Indian visa. The 15 days duration permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of passport and visa details along with two passport photos of the applicants are made available then and there.
Access
By air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra in North Bengal located 124 kilometers away and approximately 4 hours drive from Gangtok. Indian Airlines and other link Bagdogra to other India cities like Calcutta, Guwahati and Delhi. Sikkim Tourism operates five-seater helicopter services to Gangtok daily.
Rail: The two closest railway stations, Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri connect Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Lucknow and other important cities in India.
Road: Gangtok is connected by road to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Silguri and also to all the district headquarters within Sikkim.
Trekking
It is difficult to envision Sikkim without mountains. The unspoiled natural beauty of the countryside makes trekking in Sikkim an experience of many dimensions. The mountains that reach up to the skies form an intrinsic part of Sikkim. Listen to the sound of the wind among the trees, make your way across snow covered pastures and immerse yourself in the snow covered peaks that dwarf the mountain ramparts.
Religion
Religion forms the main thread in the fabric of Sikkimese life. With hundreds of monasteries and lamasaries, the influence of Buddhism is ever so evident. Even in the remote mountain regions prayer flags fluttering in the wind and monasteries clinging to ridge lines are a common sight. The Sikkimese Nepali is also the inheritor of the legacy of Hindu traditions. Colorful Hindu festivals awe the visitor to Sikkim which is celebrated with great pomp and show.
People
The people of Sikkim are warm, simple and friendly. The customs and rituals of the land are as diverse as the people who inhabit the land. Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese make up the populace.
Climate
June - September is generally considered as summer / monsoon season when the precipitation is maximum between 130 cms – 430 cms. The maximum temperature range between 21 degrees – 37 degree C and the minimum between 13 degrees – 23 degree C. October and November loosely form the autumn season with clear blue skies with plenty of greenery around. Winter stretches from December to February with the minimum temperature falling between 0- 9 degrees and the maximum from 13 – 28 degrees C. March to May is the spring season with warm days and cool nights. Spring and autumn season are the best seasons to visit Sikkim especially if one is interested in trekking. The snow in the higher reaches makes high altitude trekking difficult during winter but low altitude treks are as good as it is in spring and autumn.
