Sikkim – The Last Shangri-La
The quaint land of Sikkim appears to be always under the magic spell of nature. Skirted just on the foothills of the Himalayas, Sikkim is an amazing land to behold. Intense greenery and clouds seem to be enjoying their hide and seek game in Sikkim . Another treasure that makes Sikkim even more charming is its Buddhist heritage. Dotted with a number of monasteries and gompas (nunneries), Sikkim is a unique land to discover.
Sikkim Climate
Sikkim flaunts a cold and humid climate with rainfall occurring at almost every month. The normal temperature varies with altitude and slope of the region. July and August are the hottest months in Sikkim and December and January are the coldest time. From May to September, Sikkim experiences a heavy of fog.
Getting There
By Air: The nearest airport to Sikkim is located at Bagdogra (West Bengal) at a distance of 124 km from Gangtok, the capital city. Bagdogra is well connected with regular flight services to and from Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi.
Helicopter Service: There is a regular helicopter service available at Bagdogra airport connecting to Gangtok. This is a five-seater chopper and takes half an hour to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra.
By Rail : New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) is the nearest railhead at a distance of 148 km from Gangtok. New Jalpaiguri is well connected with regular train services to major Indian cities including Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata. Frequent taxi and jeep services are available from the station to Gangtok.
By Road: Gangtok is well connected by roads with cities like Siliguri (West Bengal) – 110 km, Darjeeling (4 hrs) and Phuntsholing (6 hrs).
Sikkim Attractions
Fringed monasteries and little lamas clad in maroon clothe with the Himalayan valley creating excellent backdrop makes Sikkim an excellent destination to visit. Let’s count on its attractions here.
Buddhist Monasteries
Studded with a number of monasteries, Sikkim is an ideal destination if you are really fascinated by the holiness of the Buddha. Rumtek Monastery is the most famous among the all and is considered to be a must see here, which is situated 24 km from Gangtok.
Enchay Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Phodang Monastery, Tashiding Monastery and Ralong Monastery are some of the other highly visited destinations in Sikkim.
Adventure Sport
Sikkim is a perfect destination for adventure sports too. Trekking is the most famous activity here for adventure tourists and Sikkim offers a number of trekking routes through the winding valleys of the Himalayas. White water adventure in Teesta and Rangeet River, Yak safari and Mountain biking are the other famous adventure sports enjoyed by the tourists here in Sikkim.
Hill Station
Once you plan your trip in Sikkim, you will have a chance to encounter with the virgin beauty of nature. Lustrous greenery, snow capped mountains and archaic forestry makes the entire Sikkim state a great place to relax in the lap of the nature. The beautiful Yumthang Valley covered with Rhododendron and Primula flowers, Changu Lake surrounded by Alpine forests and serene Khecheopari Lake will surely take your breath away.
Darjeeling
Situated in the northern region of West Bengal, Darjeeling is an excellent combination of natural beauty, Buddhist heritage and tranquil lifestyle making it an ideal destination to plan your trip for. A toy-train-ride from Siliguri to Darjeeling through the winding hills while watching the extremely beautiful tea gardens is sheer bliss.
The extremely cold and always covered with misty clouds, Ghoom is a magical destination. While you have a close look at the Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu and Chomolhari peaks, do not forget to make a visit to the famous Tibetan monasteries here. Tiger Hill, Sandakphu, Kalimpong and Mirik are some of the nearby attractions of Darjeeling that deserves a must visit.
Darjeeling is a famous trekking zone too. The breathtaking view of the Himalayan peaks at the backdrop makes the trekking a never forgetting experience. Shopping in Darjeeling is also fun as the Tibetan refugees offer some excellent collection of carpets, wood and leatherwork.
Getting There
By Air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport at a distance of 100 km from Darjeeling. Regular bus and taxi service is available connecting Darjeeling and Bagdogra.
By Rail: Apart from the toy train service, New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railhead of Darjeeling. It is well connected with rest of the country with regular train services.
By Road: Darjeeling is well connected by road with major tourist destinations like Kalimpong (51 km), Siliguri (90 km), Mirik (45 km) and Gangtok (115 km).
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