Sikkim India: Amazing places to explore

Sikkim is a small, hilly state perched at the entryway to the exotic seven sisters, the untouched jewels of Northeast India. This place is surrounded by Nepal on the west, Tibet Autonomous Region and China to the north, and Bhutan to the east with the state of West Bengal to the south of it. The entire region is divided into four districts and the Himalayas pass through nearly the entirety of Sikkim. The hilly terrain and high elevation, interspersed with lush vegetation and exotic fauna make Sikkim such a beautiful and attractive place to visit. Presently, Sikkim has become all the more attractive because of the outright ban on the use of plastic and Styrofoam products making it one of the eco-friendliest and cleanest paces that you will ever visit.

Sikkim is a land filled with exceptional places and amazing people. The food, the culture, the mystic mountains, and so on combine to give you a magical experience that you are not likely to forget. There are different parts to travel through in Sikkim and you should take some time in hand before you go exploring this place of abundant beauty.

• Gangtok

Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim and could easily be the starting point for many a great adventure throughout different corners of the state. The best times to visit Gangtok would be around the spring and autumn months of March to April or October to November. You may also visit this beautiful place in the winter months but be sure to avoid the monsoon season. The only reason for this is that there are landslides and roadblocks which will hinder your adventure and the cloud cover will limit sight-seeing opportunities. However, if you happen to visit Gangtok around May, be sure to check out the International Flower Festival hosted every year which brings around an amazing display of orchids, seasonal flowers, roses, alpine creepers, and so on!
Airport and railway station are not in city. The nearest airport is Bagdogra or you could even get down at the railway stations at Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri. All these spots are in the northern fringes of West Bengal and you have to travel via road using bus or cab services which will take you about 3 to 5 hours to reach your destination.
The best thing about Gangtok is that it has a lot to offer in the form of adventure activities, cuisines, lush forests, the hustle of a hilly city, and so on. If you like to indulge in crowds, living close to the MG Marg road is a great idea. You get the entire Mall Road at your disposal with all kinds of shops selling all kinds of wares. However, if you are looking for peace, you will find accommodation away from the crowd. There are monasteries like Rumtek and Enchey near Gangtok that you can visit to get a slice of the Buddhist lifestyle.

• Pelling

If you want to go around Gangtok and find yourself exactly in the laps of the Himalayas, then Pelling is the place for you. About 152 km from Bagdogra Airport and 160 km from New Jalpaiguri Station in Siliguri, the place can be reached via road using bus or cab services. Pelling, situated at a height of 7200 ft above sea level, is one of the most picturesque locations that you will find in Sikkim. You will be very near to the base of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world, and this will give you one of the clearest, most mesmerizing views of the peak.
Pelling is surrounded by lush vegetation that also exhibits a variety of fauna. The clear blue skies, the waterfalls, and the overall pristine beauty of the place will cast a luxurious charm on you that you can never forget. Although you can visit Pelling all year round, the best time to visit the place would be the summer months of May to June. The winter months can surprise you with the occasional snowfall. Some of the oldest monasteries that were built in Sikkim such as the Pemayangtse Monastery are located in this place. Khacheopalri Lake and Kanchenjunga Falls are also excellent places that you have to go to when you are in Pelling. You can also find many offbeat trekking routes emanating out of Pelling for the adventurer in you.

• Yuksom

Are you free-spirited with a longing for adventure? Do you like to go to places not much frequented and preserving some untouched exotic locations? If you checked right in either of the two boxes, then Yuksom is the place for you. This is the first capital of Sikkim and is also home to the oldest Buddhist Monastery, the Dudbi Monastery that was built way back in 1701 by Chogyal Namgyal. This village town is the perfect place to be if you want to delve into the history and culture of Sikkim.
Yuksom finds many young and adventurous travelers treading through the place. This is because the hilly area is filled with all kinds of trails and is also the perfect gateway into Mt. Kanchenjunga! The moderate altitude of Yuksom ensures that you can visit the place at any time, though the best time would be between March to June and September to October.

• Yumthang Valley

Yumthang Valley is one of the most colorful, most vibrant locations that you will come across in Sikkim. The altitude of this place is 3500M above sea level.. What sets Yumthang Valley apart from the rest of Sikkim is the brilliant bloom of flowers just after the first monsoon showers. The flowers most commonly blooming in this picturesque valley are primroses, louseworts, cinquefoils, and cobra-lilies.
Yumthang Valley receives very heavy snowfall in the winter months and thus generally remains closed between December to March. The best time to visit the place would be between the end of April to mid-June to immerse yourself in the brightest of blooms. Even in these months, the valley can get very cold and thus it is recommended that you carry proper clothes. You will also need to be prepared since you need to get a permit to enter the valley which is very easy to obtain. This is because the valley is located very close to the international borders that India shares with China!

• Tsomgo Lake

If you travel northwards from Gangtok towards the border regions, you will come across one of the highest and most beautiful high mountain lakes in India. The Tsomgo Lake or the Changu Lake, situated about 38 km from the capital, lies at a whopping altitude of 3753 m from mean sea level. Though the lake remains frozen in the winter months, it has a magical kind of appeal throughout the year. The best thing about the lake is that it shows different colors at different seasons throughout the year giving it the mystical appeal.
Since Tsomgo Lake is also very near to the border areas, you need to carry a permit that you could easily get from the tourism department in MG Marg. Though the lake is accessible to tourists even in winters, there is a chance of facing roadblocks for long hours due to heavy snowfall. This lake is considered to be a sacred spot by the locals so be sure to protect the sanctity of the place. You can hike along the banks, go on yak-back rides, and even skate through the frozen lake in the winter months. The Guro Poornima festival is hosted along the banks of the Tsomgo Lake every year and is a sight to behold! The lake could also be a special spot to bird watchers as native birds are seen in plenty in the lakes around October.

• Lachung

To the northern regions of Sikkim lies the splendid land of Lachung at an elevation of 2624 m from the average sea level. This is a stunning place and a photographer’s paradise because of all the amazing views that you are likely to get here. The raised altitude means that Lachung is likely to receive heavy snowfall in winters and thus the roads often remain closed. The monsoons are a dreaded time to go to Lachung because of bad roadways, landslides, roadblocks, and so on. Though it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Sikkim attracting tourists from all over the world, Lachung has a tremendous power to easily preserve the natural, raw beauty of the place from all the intruders. Whenever you go to Lachung, this quaint north Sikkimese village will always be welcoming you with freshness and striking beauty.
Lachung is a place to while away your time and serves as an escape from the cacophony of everyday life. Wild alpine forests and rivers are originating from glaciers in plenty all around Lachung. There are also many fruit orchards throughout Lachung which is maintained by the locals. Being a high altitude hilly terrain, you will also come across many waterfalls throughout Lachung.

• Nathu La

Nathu La is a high mountain pass with the Tibetan word “La” literally meaning a pass. This pass connects Sikkim to Tibet and serves as a connection between India and China. The pass is located at the end of one of the highest motorable roads in India at an elevation of 4302 m. you can enter the pass from Gangtok, Lachung, Yumthang, and most other places in Sikkim. However, you will need to get a permit from the tourism department before you can make your way into the pass. If you are not an Indian citizen, then you will not be allowed entry into the pass.
Nathu La itself is a beautiful location and gets you an unhindered view of the Chumbi Valley in Tibet. The old and famed Silk Route, the road that connected eastern, southern, and western Asia and southern parts of Europe passes through Lachung and was used to connect the Bengal plains to Lhasa in Tibet. The drive to Lachung is a splendid one and you will be charmed by all the vistas and views that you will come across.

• Old Silk Route

If you are looking for a destination that is not even frequented by travelers and tourists, then the Old Silk Road is the one for you. The route will take you through some of the most impressive and undiscovered places in Sikkim. Starting from Sillery Gaon, you will travel up to Padamchen, Morang, Zuluk, and all the way up to Nathu La from a different and untouched side of Sikkim.
The trip through the Old Silk Road is a breath-taking one with some of the most astounding views you will ever come across. Zuluk is a place that gets the most attention among all other places on this route because of the 32 hairpin bends that give you some of the most stunning views on and rides through the Himalayan ranges. The snaking road along with a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga is what awaits you at the end of Zuluk at Thambi View Point. The Elephant Lake, shaped like an elephant is also an attractive sight to behold. You will also find yourself riding above the clouds with the setting sun to one of your sides as you travel through this amazing road.
This place is so unexplored that you will not find any hotels to stay here and homestays are the only options for you. The locals are amazing and make your time all the more enjoyable with their stories and food. The serenity and peaceful place offers the best scenic beauty that you could ever ask for. You should also take a driver with you especially because of the utterly bizarre zig-zag of roads that you will come across over this area.

• Namchi

The Tibetan word Namchi means “top of the world” and you will see why once you step into this place. Located about 92 km away from the capital city of Gangtok, you can come to Namchi via road using the bus or cab services. The place is located in the southern Sikkim district and is also easily accessible from Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri railway station by road. Namchi is at a relatively lower altitude of only 1675 m but that does not prevent you from getting some of the best views from one of the most gorgeous cities in Sikkim.
In essence, Namchi is similar to Gangtok, being a big hilly city. However, the vies that Namchi has to offer are far superior to the ones you will find at Gangtok. Any time between the months of March to October is great to visit this stunning place. The monsoon season makes the place muddy and thus you have to be cautious while traveling during such time. The Namchi Monastery and Ralang Monastery are notable places to visit in Namchi. This place also boasts of a 118 feet tall statue of the holy saint Padmasambhava and attracts lots of Buddhist pilgrims all year round. The place also attracts Hindu pilgrims because of the 108 feet tall Shiva statue. The locals are interactive and approachable and will welcome you with open arms. There are lots of hotels and homestays to choose from and there are even decent markets to shop for souvenirs in Namchi! It is a good place to either start or ends your trip through Sikkim.

• Gurudongmar Lake

This is one of the highest freshwater lake in the world. Set amidst the Himalayas, legend has it that the waters of this lake were blessed by the holy saint Padmasambhava and a part of this lake thus never freezes. Even if the temperature goes down to as low as -20 degrees, this part will never freeze. In fact, the waters are also said to have medicinal and magical properties, and drinking from the lake particularly aids women with fertility issues.
The spectacular lake is situated 5425 m above sea level. At such an incredible height the atmosphere is sparse and thus you should consult a doctor before going. Also, it is recommended that you do not smoke or drink before or whole going to the lake, as this can cause you to get fatally ill. The months of April and May are the best times to go to the lake as the weather remains bright and the flowers blossom giving you astounding views to immerse yourself in.
            The north-eastern states are beautiful and the best thing about them is that they are mostly untouched. The best thing about Sikkim is that it is very easily accessible unlike the other north-eastern states in India. You should make it a point to visit Sikkim at least once in your life because the kind of raw, mesmerizing Himalayan beauty that you will find at Sikkim is unparalleled. You have to come to this place to understand the charm that this place can cast on you! Welcoming locals and unique culture combined with stunning views are what sets Sikkim apart.