Nestled in the cold region of Himalayas, Sikkim draws tourists from all over for its enchanting and ecstatic view. With its perfect and unspoiled beauty, Sikkim offers its visitors an experience of life long.
Amidst the splendor of cool hills, green valleys, pristine rivers, and mountain slopes, Sikkim has everything you would wish for on a tour. Now that makes Sikkim a dream destination for every tourist to holiday at!
Places of Attraction
Gangtok
Gangtok - the capital city of Sikkim is one of the highest visited tourist places in India. Named after its geographical location – hilltop- Sikkim is an enchanting hill-station situated in the lower Himalayas. The Deer Park, Namgyal Institute, Dul Dul Chortena, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Labrang Monastery, Tasuk - la- khang, Keochalpari Lake, Tashi Viewpoint and Phurchachu Hot Springs are some of the destinations that are sure to get you ecstatic.
Phodong Monastery
Phodong Monastery – Built in the early eighteenth century, Phodong Monastery is among the six important Buddhist Monasteries in India. Ornamented with old mural paintings, this beautiful Monastery is the home of around 250 monks. The Monastery organizes a famous annual festival in the tenth month of the Tibetian calendar, where the Chaam Dance is performed by the monks. Other sacred rituals also form part of the festival. No trip to Sikkim can be complete without a visit to the Phodong Monastery.
Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery – This undoubtedly is a place worth visiting by anyone who goes to Sikkim. Inside the Monastery, the Golden Stupa includes the relics of the 16th Karmapa and the prayer hall is adorned with murals and statues. The Monastery holds several festivals throughout the year and like Phodong Monastery, this too arranges for a dance performance- Tse Chu Chaam- on the tenth day of the fifth month of the year. The Monastery could also be visited to understand its cultural and religious roots of Sikkim.
Himalayan Zoological Park
Himalayan Zoological Park - This Zoo is a perfect point for nature’s lover. Covered with forests those are home to Musk deer, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Bear, Barking Deer and Red Panda. There are enclosures that embrace Red Pandas, Barking Deer, Panther, Himalayan Palm Civet, Leopard Cat, Tibetan Wolf, Barking Deer, Common Langur, Bears and Goral spotted Deer. In the months between February to May and September to December, the atmosphere in the park is at its best.
Chungthang
Chungthang - Chungthang is located at a distance of 95 kilometers from the capital Gangtok, at an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,600 ft). The valley is believed to have been blessed by the patron Saint. This place is rich in bio-diversity with a large variety of orchids, plants and wildlife.
Yumthang
Yumthang - At an elevation of 11,800 ft. and 140 kms from Gangtok, Yumthang is popularly known as Switzerland of Sikkim or Valley of flower. It is paradise for natural lovers with a fascinating blend of flora and fauna and breath taking scenic grandeur. In winter it is all covered with snow and in spring and summer, it is covered with different types of flower. This is one of the booming tourist destinations.
Namtse
Namtse - If one wants to see the panoramic view of the snow capped mountains and vast stretches of valley, this is the palce to be. Sky High - this is what Namtse means and is among the hills at an elevation of 5500 ft.About 78 km from Gangtok and 100 from Siliguri because of its natural charm it is developing into a one of the potential tourist destination.
Tendong Hill
Tendong Hill - The literal meaning of 'Tendong' in Lepcha language is 'the upraised horn'. Tendong Hill is a renowned landmark and a vantage point that provides a spectacular view of the valley in Sikkim. At an altitude of 8530 ft and encircled by dense forests at times Tendong hill is claimed as God's perfect creation. Scenic beauty has sprinkle of spirituality in the place as it had been the hermit of Buddhist Lamas, who had spent years in meditation amidst the quiet scenic opulence.
Ravangla
Ravangla - Ravangla -l ocated at an altitude of 8,000 ft, is a major trekking start-off point. From here you can get view of snow-covered mountains of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Sinialchu and Mt. It won't be wrong to call it poet's dream destination with air of romance, when myriad flowers envelop the whole town in a colorful sheet during the months of April to May.
Maenam Hill
Maenam Hill - If you looking for striking Sight Scenes such as lush green landscape besides snow-cloaked mountains visit Maenam. At an astonishing height of 3,235 meters, Maenam Hill is a favorable point to view some of the enchanting sights. In the north of Maenam, you can see the majestic Himalayas, while the plains of Bengal rest in the south.
Borong
Borong- Borong is a picturesque village. It has beautiful landscape and magnificent view which is host to the hot spring. For your adventure side it has trek trail, one of the most interesting trials scaling all the hill tops along the route.
Varsey
Varsey- To see the exotic views of snow peaks of Khangchendzonga range, Varsey situated at an altitude of 3,300 meters is the right place. The area is surrounded by forests, hanging mosses and a wide verity of rare flora and fauna. During the time of March & April the hills are aflame with riot of colors varying from pure red to yellow, blue and white.
White Hall
White Hall- The White Hall is a two storied structure and has typical British architecture built in 1932. It is not called so because of its color but because it was built in memory of the first Political Officer of Sikkim, Claude White. White house is must visit if you happen to be in Sikkim.
Ridge Garden
Ridge Garden- The Ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road above the town of Gangtok. The Ridge is lined with plants and trees which when bloom are a riot of colors. Flower shows which attract tourists from all over the world are held just below the Ridge.
The Ridge proudly hosts the White Hall and the Chief Minister's official residence, known as the Mintogang, meaning "blossomed crowned hilltop"
Bon Appetit
The cuisines of Sikkim are the result of amalgamation of different cultures of India, Bhutan and Nepal. There is a long list of delicious and also healthy food items - Momo (steamed dumpling), Tomato Achaar, Thukpa /Gya-Thuk (Noodle soup), Kinema curry (Fermented soybean), Gundruk and Sinki Soup (Fermented vegetable soup), Gundruk ko Achaar (Pickle), Chhurpi Soup (Traditional cottage cheese), Chhurpi ka Achar (Pickle), Chhurpi-Ningro Curry (Chhurpi with wild fern), Sel Roti (Fermented rice product), Shimi ka Achar (String bean pickle), Pakku (Mutton curry) and Mesu Pickle (Fermented bamboo shoot). That seems like the longest list!
Shopping
Though not much to shop at Sikkim, there are still few items you should lay your hands on – woven woolen carpets and blankets, Choksee, Sweaters and Jackets, Thangkas, Tibetian and Sikkimese garnments, wall hangings and antics with Buddhist motifs. Uniquely designed woven woolen carpets and blankets are Sikkim’s popularity. Sikkim also is the house to traditional paintings called – Thangkas. These are made on cotton canvas and often framed with silk.
The best shopping places to shop at Sikkim are Government Emporia and regular shops in the main market on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Gantok.
Climate
Although a small place in area, Sikkim experiences all seasons of the year – summer, winter, spring, autumn and monsoon. During summer the temperature reaches too high and similarly the winters are too cold. Monsoon in Sikkim can be troublesome as rivers and roads are impassable. It is autumn that bring joy with; with skies getting bluer and flowers blossoming.
Transport
Unlike a metropolitan city, Sikkim doesn’t have yellow and black taxis running on its roads -It’s a car or cab or jeep that is going to be your travel help. These come in all types of fares (suiting your budget), comfort and convenience.
For intra city travel, small cars are good enough. However, if you are planning to travel different places of Sikkim, hiring a jeep would be advisable.
The cuisines of Sikkim are the result of amalgamation of different cultures of India, Bhutan and Nepal. There is a long list of delicious and also healthy food items - Momo (steamed dumpling), Tomato Achaar, Thukpa /Gya-Thuk (Noodle soup), Kinema curry (Fermented soybean), Gundruk and Sinki Soup (Fermented vegetable soup), Gundruk ko Achaar (Pickle), Chhurpi Soup (Traditional cottage cheese), Chhurpi ka Achar (Pickle), Chhurpi-Ningro Curry (Chhurpi with wild fern), Sel Roti (Fermented rice product), Shimi ka Achar (String bean pickle), Pakku (Mutton curry) and Mesu Pickle (Fermented bamboo shoot). That seems like the longest list!
Though not much to shop at Sikkim, there are still few items you should lay your hands on – woven woolen carpets and blankets, Choksee, Sweaters and Jackets, Thangkas, Tibetian and Sikkimese garnments, wall hangings and antics with Buddhist motifs. Uniquely designed woven woolen carpets and blankets are Sikkim’s popularity. Sikkim also is the house to traditional paintings called – Thangkas. These are made on cotton canvas and often framed with silk. 
Although a small place in area, Sikkim experiences all seasons of the year – summer, winter, spring, autumn and monsoon. During summer the temperature reaches too high and similarly the winters are too cold. Monsoon in Sikkim can be troublesome as rivers and roads are impassable. It is autumn that bring joy with; with skies getting bluer and flowers blossoming.
