Sikkim
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Sikkim, Nepali: सिक्किम, is a state in East India in the Himalayan foot hills also bordering the nations of Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.
[edit] Regions
[edit] Towns
- Gangtok – the district in the east and the capital of Sikkim.
- Geyzing – the district in West Sikkim
- Mangan – the district in North Sikkim
- Namchi – the district in South Sikkim
- Pelling
- Ravangla
- Yuksom
- Dzongu - In North Sikkim, region reserved for the Lepcha People.
[edit] Understand
The state official language of Sikkim is Nepali, which is also the primary language of most locals. Many other languages such as Dzongkha and Tibetan are also spoken by smaller numbers. However, Hindi is also widely spoken as a second language, and all educated people are able to speak English.
[edit] Get in
There are no airports or railway stations in Sikkim. The only way to enter Sikkim from rest of India is by road using bus or jeep from West Bengal.
[edit] By plane
Nearest airport for Sikkim is Bagdogra, near Siliguri in North Bengal, which is 124 km and approximately four hours drive from Gangtok. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, SpiceJet, etc. service Bagdogra linking it with other major airport in India (including Guwahati). You can also take a helicopter from Bagdogra to Gangtok.
Next to the Bagdogra airport exit, is a government operated pre-paid taxi stand. You can get a four seater (Maruti Omni) or a ten seater (Tata Sumo, Mahindra Maxx, etc) for fixed rates to various destinations in Sikkim. The standard fare for Bagdogra-Gangtok is Rs 1,100 for a four seater and Rs 1,500 for a ten seater (as of April, 2009). Try to get hold of fellow tourists to share the fare.
An alternative could be to take a pre-paid taxi to Siliguri (about 10 kms from Bagdogra airport) and hop into a ten-seater shared taxi for Rs 130 per person (as of April, 2009).
[edit] By train
Construction of a 50-km rail link from Sevoke, West Bengal to Rangpo, Sikkim started in 2009, but is not expected to be ready until 2015, and it'll take another few years after that until it reaches another 40 km up to Gangtok.
In the meantime, the nearest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. Both of them have a number of trains connecting them to Kolkata. You should be able to get pre-paid taxis to Gangtok outside the railway stations easily.
[edit] By bus
The Sikkim government has fixed rate (and fixed schedule) buses plying between Siliguri and Gangtok.
After 44 years of closure, the Nathu La pass to Tibet, China – a part of the historic Silk Road – opened again in July 2006. There are plans for a Gangtok-Lhasa bus service.
[edit] Get around
Most travel in Sikkim is done by bus or jeep on road. Trekking is also a popular option.
[edit][add listing] See
- Rumtek Monastery [1] – 24 km from Gangtok in East Sikkim – the main seat of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. Originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in 1740, but fell into disrepair. The current structure dates from 1959.
- Tsongmo Lake [2] – 40 km from Gangtok in East Sikkim on Nathula route – Tsongmo Lake (also called Changu Lake or Tsomgo Lake) is a large lake in the East Sikkim district of India. It is oval-shaped, with a length of about one kilometre and has an average depth of fifteen metres.It is also a home of Brahminy Ducks besides being a stopover for various migratory birds. Etymologically "Tso" means lake and "Mgo" means head, thus literally meaning "source of the lake" in the Bhutia language. Tsongmo lake is declared a sacred lake by the local Buddhist and Hindu population. The lake remains hidden in the rich forest cover. It is believed that the birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface. There is a motorable road from Pemayangtse right up to the lake area. It falls in the restricted area and hence an inner line permit is required by Indians to visit this place. Foreign nationals are not permitted to visit this lake without special permission. A little distance from the lake is a beautiful natural three storied cave, the Tseten Tashi Cave is a worth to visit.
- Nathu la pass - The Nathu la pass lies on the Indo-Chinese border and is now open to tourists. People who wish to visit Nathu la should get special permission one day in advance. Please note, however, that the pass is not open on Mondays & Tuesdays every week. Also, it is closed to tourists during seasons of heavy snowing. It would be better to inquire about its accessibility from local tour operators before planning any visit.
- Baba mandir - Eight kilometers from Nathu la pass is the original Harbajan Singh Baba Temple from which the Indo-Bhutan border is approximately 6 km and the India-China border is around 5 km. A must visit place for all those who like to explore places!
- Kabi Lungstok - Kabi Lungtsok is a historic place, located on North Sikkim Highway, 17 kms away from Gangtok. This is the same place where the historic treaty between Lepcha Chief Te-Kung-Tek and the Bhutia Chief Khey-Bum-Sar was signed ritually.
- Chungthang - Chungthang is located in the northern part of Sikkim. It is located at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung Chu and is the starting point of the river teesta. It is believed that Chungthang is blessed by a guru Rimpoche.
- Gurudongmar Lake [3] - Gurudongmar lake is at an altitude of 17,000 ft. The lake is both sacred and pristine. It has crystal clear waters and and the way leading to it is a cold desert. The lake remains completely frozen during the Winters, except for a small part which is considered to be touched by Guru Padmasambhava. Visits to the lake are allowed after obtaining a permit from the Government. Foreign nationals are not allowed to go there. The whole area is controlled by Army, due to it's proximity to China. Some people may experience high altitude sickness. There is relatively less oxygen in the air here which may cause problems to some people. It is advisable to not to run or speak loudly. Just sit by the lake enjoying it's beauty and the surrounding mountains. Tourists are generally asked to leave the place by 1 - 2 PM, after which the wind speeds picks up and is enough to carry small stones with it! A night halt at Lachen is advised for acclimatizing to the altitude.
- Dzongri trek: Dzongri trek is possible in the west part of the Sikkim. This trek is suitable for those trekkers who wish to go for a short and easy trek. This trek provides beautiful view of unique landscape, which permanently gets printed on the trekkers mind. [4]
[edit][add listing] Do
There are many adventure activities possible to do in Sikkim. Tourists can go for Trekking, Rafting and Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Yak Safari and many more.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Sikkimese relish Tibetan food. You must eat delicious momos stuffed with meat. For vegeterians, veg momos are also available. Noodles, locally called Thupkas, are also good.
- Allen's Kitchen, Gangtok (Accross the Fire station, down from the foot bridge to MG Road). Great place for non-vegetarian delicacies. Try the very tasty chicken momos (dumplings) and beef chilli. Very reasonable. Tandoori chicken was not that good. edit
[edit][add listing] Drink
- Chhang/ Thumba/ Chee - Locally brewed millet beer, sometimes served in bamboo glass with a wooden straw. A must try. Available almost everywhere in Sikkim.
- HIT Beer - This local favorite is manufactured by a brewery owned by the Bollywood Actor Danny Denzongpa. This brand is available almost everywhere in Sikkim.
- Liquor - Liquor like whiskey, brandy, rum etc is very cheap in Sikkim as compared to other parts of India.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Bamboo Grove Retreat, Kazi Road, Gangtok (Above tibet Road), ☎ +91-3592-208816, [5]. Located at the heart of city, this 2 star boutique hotel offers ample of hospitality and comfort. It boasts of having its own garden and also an open badminton court. It is surrounded by lush bamboo groves and provides a peaceful and homely environment. It has 19 clean and well decorated rooms providing a breathtaking view of the mountains and a friendly staff. 3000. edit
- Hotel Superview Himalchuli, Zero Point. Run by the Sikkimese family. It is ideal for families. This hotel offers a panoramic views of the Gangtok town, valleys and mountains. It has room top garden and private parking. The rooms are reasonably priced and offers multi cuisine.
- Teen Taley, Rumtek (Near Rumtek Monastery), ☎ 03592 252256 09832014867, [6]. An Eco Garden Resort spread over an area of seven acres, this resort provides breathtaking view of the mountain ranges.The resort has been envisaged on the idea of promoting the local. It has its own organic garden and farm animals which provide for healthy and organic local food. What it offers to the visitors is a place free from the crowded city, service that is based on care with each guest being regarded as god. Furthermore the resort is a thing of beauty in itself, a place for nature lovers, and for those seeking that elusive thing called inner peace.... the perfect getaway. edit
- Mayal Lyang Homestay, 1. Passingdang, Upper Dzongu, Sikkim (30 minutes from Mangan Bazaar), ☎ +91-9434446088, [7]. An eco-tourism initiative, this homestay is located in the heart of Lepcha land - Dzongu. One can experience the warmth and hospitality of Lepchas, the aborginal inhabitants of Sikkim. The hosts, Gyatso and his wife, are very nice people and have great tales to tell. The village is set amongst dense vegetation, on the side of a hill, with the Rongyung Chu River flowing at the hill's base. This place is far from the tourist hustle bustle. Visit here if you like to stray from the beaten path. The whole area is picturesque and unspoiled. Possible things to do here include visiting pristine places in Dzongu, trekking, angling, watching butterflies and birds, eating organic food grown here etc. (27.5290093,88.5141045) edit
[edit] Get out
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