Breath-taking Sikkim
Sikkim is one of North East India’s most well-known tourist destinations. High altitude lakes, rolling green slopes, colorful rhododendron gardens, turquoise rivers, milky waterfalls, stunning monasteries, and unsurpassed vistas surround Mt. Kanchenjunga/Khangchendzonga, the world’s third-largest mountain.
The four districts that make up the state are North Sikkim, South Sikkim, East Sikkim, and West Sikkim. Gangtok (East Sikkim), Mangan (North Sikkim), Namchi (South Sikkim), and Gyalshing (West Sikkim) are the four district capitals of Sikkim. Gangtok is the state’s capital. Visitors can enjoy something different in each of these districts.
Monasteries, Cable Cars, and Gangtok await you in East Sikkim!
East Sikkim’s most popular tourist spots include Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathu La Pass, and Zuluk. Gangtok is a famous honeymoon location. With a vast choice of activities to choose from, it is both beautiful and thrilling. Mt. Khangchendzonga offers breath-taking vistas. A sightseeing tour may include visits to Buddhist monasteries, art and craft centers, and cable car excursions.
North Sikkim's sightseeing is overwhelmed!
North Sikkim is just as attractive as East Sikkim when it comes to tourism. It is also ideal for a family trip due to the abundance of tourist sites. You might visit Lachung, a lovely town on the Lachung River’s banks. Yumthang is famed for its hot springs and rhododendron-filled valleys.
North Sikkim welcomes a lot of snow in December. Because of the snow, today is a fantastic time to visit. The temperature is usually below zero. The entire countryside has been buried with snow. Everything is made of white!
West Sikkim exemplifies Sikkim's natural splendor!
There are numerous tourism sites in West Sikkim that are just waiting to be found. Pelling, a little hill village, is one of the tourist attractions. Monasteries, lakes, and waterfalls dot the landscape. Mt. Khangchendzonga offers amazing vistas.
Pelling is also home to Asia’s second-highest suspension bridge and a holy lake. Other tourist spots include Kaluk and Rinchenpong, both of which are recognized for their dreamy beauty. Yuksom is located in West Sikkim and is the starting point for the Dzongri and Goecha La treks.
Culture, natural beauty, and adventure abound in South Sikkim
South Sikkim is a must-see for anybody visiting Sikkim. Its surreal splendor ensures that it will be included in any Sikkim tourist guide. Namchi, Sikkim’s cultural and religious capital, is located here. Two notable tourist attractions are Lord Shiva’s 108-foot statue and Guru Padmasambhava’s 118-foot statue. Ornithologists and bird lovers should visit Ravangla in South Sikkim.
The dark-throated thrush, babblers, and cuckoos are among the unusual bird species seen. This is where Sikkim’s only tea estate, Temi Tea Garden, is located. Travel through Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary while seeing wildlife, visit a holy cave in Rabong, go camping in Sikip, and visit a holy cave in Rabong.
Best places to visit in Sikkim
Gangtok
Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital, is one of the country’s most popular hill stations. It’s cloud-wrapped, very seductive, and wonderfully raucous. On clear days, the town, which sits at a height of 1650 meters above sea level, offers spectacular views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. For trekkers and campers visiting the Himalayan mountain ranges, Gangtok is a popular location. From March to May, wild Rhododendrons bloom, transforming the surrounding regions into enormous fields of colorful carpets.
Gangtok, which literally means “high top,” is without a doubt one of the country’s most stunning hill settlements. Gangtok is a vibrant and busy slice of north-eastern heaven, with exactly the right balance of everything from ethnic fusion to urbanization. In Gangtok and the surrounding areas, natural beauty abounds.
- Time required to visit the site- 2 to 4 days
- Best time to visit the site- Throughout the year
Nathula Pass
Nathula is a mountain pass that connects Sikkim and China in the Himalayan ranges. It is one of the world’s highest motorable roads. One of the country’s most important Himalayan crossings, Nathu La, is positioned 14450 feet above sea level on the Indo-Tibetan border. The meaning of Nathu is ‘listening ears,’ whereas the meaning of La is ‘pass.’ Nathula is one of India’s three open trading border checkpoints with China, and it’s noted for its picturesque beauty. The weather remains cool for the bulk of the year during the summer, making it a popular tourist destination.
- Time required to visit the site- 1 hour
- Timings to visit the site- 08:00 am to 03:30 pm (Wednesday to Sunday)
- Best time to visit the site- is from May to Mid November
- There is no entry fee but a permit is required to visit the site.
Pelling
Pelling, a picturesque town in Sikkim’s West region, has surpassed Gangtok as the second most popular tourist destination in the state. The breathtaking view of the Khangchendzonga and neighboring peaks is the main draw of the place, which is 10 kilometers from Geyzing and 130 kilometers from Gangtok.
Less than a kilometer distant, the famous Pemayangste monastery is a renowned tourist attraction. Pelling is also a starting point for a variety of regional treks, as well as a destination for mountain biking, rock climbing, village excursions, and meditation. Pelling is a lovely hamlet that is suitable for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Pelling is a well-known tourist spot in Sikkim. Pelling is also the starting point for visiting all of West Sikkim’s spectacular tourist sites.
- Best time to visit the site- Throughout the year
- Entry fees- Absolutely free
Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo Lake is one of India’s rare high-altitude lakes, set between the mountains at a stunning height of 12400 feet above sea level and located on the Gangtok – Nathu La highway. Changu Lake, commonly known as Changu Lake, is a must-see for any tourist, and for good reason: it is stunning. Tsomgo Lake will steal your breath away with its stunning beauty, encircled by majestic snow-capped mountains and tucked within a bright green carpet of alpine trees. The lake’s mesmerizing scenic beauty, mixed with its legendary significance to the locals, makes it a must-see Sikkim attraction.
Tsomgo Lake is a glacier lake fed by the melting snow of the surrounding mountains. The glacier lake’s color-changing waters are well-known. The lake appears bright blue during the monsoons, but it freezes into a translucent coating of ice during the winter. As summer approaches in mid-May, the lake’s border is dotted with a thousand blossoming flowers, giving the waters a riot of vibrant colors.
- Time required to visit the site- 1 – 2 hours
- Best time to visit the site- Between April and May
Lachen
Lachen, in the northern district of Sikkim, is one of the most attractive towns in the state and a famous tourist attraction is known for its Lachung monastery. Due to its natural beauty and tranquility, it is believed to be one of the most renowned and popular Buddhist pilgrimage and tourism places. Lachen is a beautiful, less-visited holiday destination that also serves as the entryway to the sacred Gurudongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes.
The most prominent regions in Lachen are the Nyingma order of Himalayan Buddhism, as well as the Lachen Monastery, Lachen Chu, and the alpine covers. Sikkim’s lovely town is known for its lush environment, which is mostly comprised of meadows and shrubs, as well as apple orchards.
- Time required to visit the site- 1 day
- Best time to visit the site- is July- September
Best Hotels in Sikkim
- Hotel Sonar Tori
- Mystic Bhumzang Hotel and Restobar
- The Royal Plaza, Gangtok
- Lemon Tree Hotel, Gangtok
- The Fern Hotel Denzong Hotel and Spa
ALSO READ: SIKKIM Top 10 Amazing Places To Visit
Frequently Asked Question
There are many interesting sites to visit in Sikkim.
Other notable destinations are Gangtok, Lachen, Lachun, Yumthang Valley, Nathula Pass, Gurudongmar, Namchi, Pelling, and others.
You'll need at least 8 to 9 days to see everything on this list. North Sikkim is a renowned tourist location that should be visited for at least 6 days.
The nearest functional airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport. It is 124 kilometres from Sikkim, West Bengal. There is one more airport in Sikkim, Pakyong Airport, however it does not handle regular flights.
Because the terrain is harsh, you will have difficulty travelling the roads, however the roads in large cities and tourist areas are generally in decent condition.
Visit the smallest state of India and have the largest fun!!!
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