Flavorful Asia

Planning a Trip to Sikkim? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Although Sikkim is the second smallest state in India in terms of area, it is a very popular tourist destination for nature lovers. Sikkim is located in the northeast of India and is surrounded by West Bengal, Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet. The total population of Sikkim, with an area of 7000 square kilometers, is about 6.5 lakh. Gangtok is the largest city and the capital of Sikkim.

Consisting of the four districts of North Sikkim, East Sikkim, South Sikkim, and West Sikkim, Sikkim is full of magnificent mountain springs, deep valleys, medicinal forests, and rich biodiversity. With alpine pastures, mountains, glaciers, and thousands of wildflowers, Sikkim’s suburbs like Gangtok and Lachung enthrall tourists everywhere. Another special attraction of this city is the Tsomgo Lake, which holds the immense beauty of East Sikkim.

Places to visit in Sikkim

Sikkim has numerous attractions to visit. However, most of the tourist spots are located in Gangtok, Lachung, and Pelling cities. Gangtok is the main transit point for all the cities of Sikkim.

Gangtok

The capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok, originally belonging to East Sikkim, is now known as a Tibetan Buddhist center and a base camp for trekkers trekking from the Himalayan peaks of Sikkim. Among the various sightseeing places here, Kanchanjungkha and Ase Hills can be seen from Tashi View Point. Traditional clothes are also available for rent for taking photos for just Rs.50. The Museum of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which focuses on Tibetan culture, has various Buddhist statues, monastic items, religious rituals, a library, and a research center. The “Hanuman Tak Mandir,” dedicated to Hanuman under the control of the Indian Army, offers a beautiful view of the mountain valley and Pahar. Also, experience the adventure along with seeing the beautiful waterfall at Ban Jhakri Falls. Also, Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park with various animals, Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Nathu La, Ridge Flower Park, Saramsa Garden, Lhasa Falls, and places of interest like Gandhi statue can be visited. Gangtok’s camping, ropeway, rafting, trekking, and hiking opportunities are another special attraction for tourists.

Pelling

Pelling is a small town in West Sikkim. Visiting the temple on a 50-meter-long bridge hanging over the hill at Sky Walk Pelling is nothing short of an adventure. At the Rimbi Orange Garden next to the Rimbi River, you can see cardamom, orange, nutmeg, and orange trees; the entry fee here is 10 rupees per person. Many people come here to see the natural scenery of Kanchenjunga Falls. Again, you can trekking in historical places like Rabdentse Ruins for 25 rupees. The architecture of Pemayangtse Monastery, which is almost 300 years old in West Sikkim, also attracts tourists.

Lachung

Located near the Tibetan border in North Sikkim, Lachung village is divided by rivers. It takes about 5 and a half hours to reach this village located at a distance of 110 km from Gangtok. The strangely beautiful surroundings the clear blue waters of the Teesta River and two wonderful waterfalls on the way to the Yamthang Valley bring peace to the mind. From the Yamthang Valley, you will find snow in the mountains far away. Surrounded by apple orchards is the 19th-century Buddhist Lachung Monastery. Also known as the Switzerland of Sikkim, Katao Middle Point offers a beautiful view of snow-capped mountains. There are also BhimNala Falls, Khanda Water Falls, and Snow Point for trekking.

Changu Lake

Changu Lake, also known as “Tsomgo Lake,” is located in East Sikkim, 40 km from Gangtok. Located at a height of 3,753 meters above the ground, this glacial lake is one of the tourist spots in Sikkim. The true beauty of this lake cannot be expressed in words or in writing; it can only be felt. Especially the road from Gangtok to Changu Lake is very beautiful. The weather here is very cold; the higher you go, the colder it gets. The real fun of playing with ice in the snow fruit can never be understood without being here.

Yuksom

Yuksom is a traditional town in West Sikkim with Kanjanjungkha springs, small lakes, and Buddhist temples. Hiking is also available here.

Yumthang

Yamthang Valley is also commonly known as the Valley of Flowers. From late February to mid-June, the entire valley is covered in colorful flowers.

Besides Lachen Monastery, Ravangla Buddhist Park, Ralang Monastery, Sunrise View Point, Namchi Hilltop Monastery, Char Dham Temple, Khanchendzonga National Park, at an altitude of 8,000-12,000 feet. Located in Singalila National Park, Arita Lake, and Rishi Khola Falls are tourist attractions.

Sikkim travel time

The best time to visit Sikkim is from the end of February to May and from the end of September to November. Road closures are likely in winter. Besides, North Sikkim experiences landslides throughout the year, and many places in Sikkim are inaccessible during monsoons. South and West Sikkim and Gangtok can be visited throughout the year.

Sikkim Tour Plan

Day 1: From anywhere, you will come to Siliguri or Gangtok. Arranging a car for sightseeing the next day with a hotel booking. It takes 2500 to 3000 rupees to reserve a full car for Gangtok sightseeing. The rental amount varies depending on the season.

Day 2: Leave for Gangtok sightseeing at 8 am. One can visit 7 to 11 places including Hanuman Talk, a few Monasteries, Ropeway, a Museum, Tassi View Point, Banjhakari Waterfall, etc. Come back and take the package to tour North Sikkim. The North Sikkim 2-day 1-night tour route will be Gangtok-Lachung-Yumthang Valley-Gangtok.

Day 3: Leave for Lachung, 122 km from Gangtok by 7 am.

Day 4: Morning return to Gangtok from Lachung via Yamthang Valley.

Day 5: Sangu/Sangu Lake excursion and return to Gangtok.

Day 6: Morning from Gangtok to Siliguri, and then you drive to your destination.

Sikkim travel expenses

Sikkim is a restricted trade area, so you have to travel here through a travel agency. Taking the package of North Sikkim will reduce the cost and also facilitate travel. If you take the package through a travel agency instead of taking the package from the hotel, the cost will be less. Lachung and Yamthang Valley tours through various North Sikkim packages will cost Rs 11,000-14,000. 16,000-20,000 rupees per person for 6 days and 7-night stay in Sikkim for food, travel, and sightseeing. However, if you travel in a group of 6/7 people to Sikkim and share a hotel room, the cost will be much less.

Where to stay in Sikkim

Sikkim has numerous hotels, motels, and homestays to stay in Gangtok, Pelling, Lachung, and MG Marg. According to the hotel, the rent for two beds will be 1500 to 5000 rupees. However, the hotel rent doubles during the tourist season. If you do a little research, you will get a room for two people between 500 and 1000 rupees. Information about some hotels in Gangtok –

Hotel Priyadarshini: In this hotel, double bedroom rent is 1600-2000 rupees, 4-bedroom rent is 2400 rupees, and 6-bedroom rent is 3500 rupees. Phone: 9836556139, 9433067673.

Hotel Willis: Double bedroom rent in Hotel Willis is Tk 2000-3500. Phone 81700-67952, 75570-86652.

Swang Hotel: A double bedroom here will cost 1800-2500 rupees. Phone 8250893315.

New Hotel Sikkim: Double bedroom rent in this hotel is Tk 1500-2500. Phone 9051166693.

Where to eat

Sikkim is called the “Land of Organic“; here everything is very clean and fresh, so you can be sure that you can eat good and fresh food when you visit Sikkim. At MG Market, Lal Bazar Road in Gangtok, you can enjoy delicious street food at affordable prices. And at restaurants like Nimth, Mama’s Kitchen, Crumbs n Whips, Cafe Royale, Gupta Restaurant, Local Cafe, and Kabur, you can try dishes like Thukpa, Mom, Gundruk Soup, Sha Faley, Tibetan Bread, and Lachi.

Where to buy what?

One can find several local shops to shop for gift items in Gangtok. You can buy various winter clothes, handicrafts, gift items, and souvenirs from various shops in Sikkim.

Essential tips for traveling to Sikkim

  • Carry at least 10 to 12 photocopies of your passport, visa, and Sikkim travel permit along with passport-size photographs.
  • Be aware of the harassment of brokers at various stages of travel to Sikkim. Avoid taking any travel packages, especially from Siliguri brokers.
  • Photography is prohibited in most of the temples and museums in Sikkim, so keep these things in mind.
  • Take good grip shoes or sneakers if you want to do trekking.
  • In the case of Sikkim travel, you must carry winter woolen clothes, a jacket, an umbrella, hand and foot socks, a muffler, an ear hat, and gum boots for walking on snow-covered roads. You can also rent gum boots from the hotel in Sikkim.
  • In Gangtok, shops and restaurants close after 9 pm.
  • Know the exact information about the food and hotel while taking the package through the travel agency.
  • During winter, wooden hotels are comparatively colder.
  • To visit North Sikkim, you must go through a traveling agency. If you want to go to a group, make a group in advance. Agencies will not help you with groups.
  • Permission is required every time to go to various tourist spots from Gangtok. It is the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle. But definitely carry a passport, visa, many copies of ILP, and passport-size photos.
  • Gangtok Ropeway operates from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
  • Nathula can be visited from Wednesday to Sunday.
  • Smoking, littering, and spitting in public places are punishable by law in Gangtok.
  • Sikkim has restrictions on free entry for foreign tourists. So tourists need a Protected Area Permit or RAP. have to take