Wedged between Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and the North Bengal Plains of India, this region is a tangled mass of mountains drained by the Teesta, and Rangit Rivers.From the visitors angle, Sikkim Himalayas include the geographical area of Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong.The grain of the country rises from near sea level to 8500 meters, in a short distance, forming a giant amphitheater, hewn as it were from the great mountains. This provides an arc of the most magnificent snow clad mountains as a backdrop to your holidays.This region is connected to Delhi, and Calcutta by daily air services. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. Train service from NJP railway station are avalable to all parts of India.
The capital of Sikkim, is located in the shadow of the Chola Range at an altitude of 1767 m. It has a rich cultural heritage, bustling modern bazaar, exotic handicrafts, and lovely people. The main attractions are:-§ Rumtek Monastery, for its gilded "chorten", traditional architecture, exquisite paintings, intricate woodwork, treasures of manuscripts and icons.
§ The Tibetology Institute, displaying Buddhist icons, religious paintings, and literature.
§ The Directorate of Handicrafts, where ancient skills are kept alive.
§ The old bazaar for atmosphere.
§ The holy Tsangu Lake at 3800 m altitude, on the old trade route to Tibet, with its rugged snow peaks, mountain & valley views, and the Kyangnosla Nature Park, for Alpine Flora. Buddhist monasteries at Phodong and Labarang
This most rugged and spectacular district of Sikkim, has its Headquarters at Mangan. Is 76 kms from Gangtok. It comprises the valleys of Lachen, Lachung (the valley of flowers), Dzongu and Tholung. Each of these is formed by fast flowing glacier fed rivers originating from The Great Himalayan Range and its offshoots, The Singelila Range and The Chola Range. Mighty peaks ranging between 6000 to 8500 meters, enclose it on three sides. A part of North Sikkim, even lies across the Himalayas, on the Tibet Plateau. The visitor can visit the high altitude, Yumthang Valley of Rhododendrons, the tribal villages of Lachung and Lachen, With special permits you can trek through the remote Tolung Valley to the Kishong-la or the Khangchendzonga climbers base camp at Green Lake.Western Sikkim – Monasteries & delights of trekkingThe legendary installation of the Namgyal dynasty, by three monks in 1642, introduced Buddhism in Sikkim. They came together at Yoksom, and as it had been prophesied, in sacred texts, they searched, and found Phuntsog Namgyal; anointed him with holy water, gave him the title of "chogyal" – meaning king of religion, and urged him to spread Buddhism, amongst the ethnic Lepchas. At that time the local people were animist worshipping nature spirits. On various hill tops inter- visible to each other, are located a string of holy sites. upto the Goche-la.
Rinchenpong & Vershay – Flora, great views and nature treks.
For those who want to be lost in nature, and enjoy a secluded holiday, Rinchingpong at elevation of 1500 meters offers, home-stay at a Sikkimese heritage farm, There are easy nature walks, in forests of Oak, pine, fir, Rhododendrons and many other flora, bird watching, visits to Buddhist Gompa built in 1730, and a unique heritage Lepcha tribal home. There are superb views of all the great peaks. Our five days nature trek from Rinchenpong to Utterey via the Vershay Rhododendron sanctuary reaches up to 3696 m. The Rhodedendrons bloom in March- April – but the autumn trek in Oct-Nov is equally enchanting with better views.
Darjeeling & KalimpongNestling in the lush green midranges of the Eastern Himalayas, with an incredibly stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks; Darjeeling and Kalimpong, are twin hill stations of the "Raj". Premium tea gardens, colonial bungalows and churches, Buddhist monasteries, exotic bazars, handicrafts, and orchids. The sparsely populated and least visited area around Kalimpong are your best bet. These comprise forests of , mountain streams and rivers, and the picture postcard Lepcha valleys of Samthar, where time stands still. All this and more, in a land peopled by an amazing ethenic mix, of Lepchas, Tibetans and Nepalies, forming a unique sub culture of their own. Relax and laze, raft the white waters, explore forests and flora, hike, trek and take in the breathtaking sunrise and sunset views.
Kurseong – premier biodynamic tea gardensKKurseong is a a tiny town, at an altitude of 1200 m, named after the wild white orchid. Famous for tea gardens, producing premium Darjeeling tea; it also has a forest Museum. It offers a chance to explore a tea estate producing bio-dynamic tea for the international market, You can go round the estate, and the factory, peep into methods of tea tasting and buy some premium tea, and take short walks.Whist at Kurseong, it is a good idea to take a short ride in the “Toy train”, and visit the very successful, SASAC project run by Canadian Father Abrahams. Here you can observe innovative eco friendly ideas to support local villages including diary, compost plant, solar water heating, biogas for cooking, mushroom cultivation, a children school, and a organic farming project.
