Sikkim

Sikkim is a state blessed by Natures Marvels. One can find this mountainous region blooming with flowers in the spring and frozen lakes in winter. Gangtok, the capital city is a modern hill station with all amenities. The weather is pleasing most of the year and its Buddhist past has a tremendous appeal. The Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Rumtek Monastery and monasteries at Pemayangtse and Tashiding are visit worthy places. Among other places are the sacred and serene Changu Lake, Khecheopalri Lake, the quaint hamlet of Pelling, the traditional “Lepcha” village at Chungthang, the view of the magnificent Kanchenjunga peak at Singhik and the remote and flower-bedecked valley at Yumthang. There are numerous activities attracting adventure tourism enthusiasts like trekking in Tendong Hill, the Versey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Menam Hill and Dzongri Trail. Hang-gliding at Jorethan, Kayaking and River Rafting on the river Teesta, Mountaineering and Mountain biking can be thrilling experiences.
Sikkim being mountainous terrain does not have an airport or railway network. The nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal and nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri. Gangtok can be reached by road from Siliguri, Darjeeling, Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri.
Best Time to visit: March to May and then October to mid-December
Languages Spoken: Nepali, Sikkimese
Climate: Temperate climate with pleasant summers, heavy rainfall during monsoon and cold winters
Holy Places: Do-Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, monasteries at Pemayangtse and Tashiding
Places to visit: Institute of Tibetology, Pelling Hamlet
Natural Wonders: Changu Lake, Khecheopalri Lake, Singhik
Adventure tourism: Hang-gliding at Jorethan, Kayaking and River Rafting on the river Teesta, Trekking in Tendong Hill, the Versey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Menam Hill and Dzongri Trail and Mountain biking
Mountaineering Peaks: Freys Peak, Jopuno, Tinchenkhang, Byrmkhangse and Lamo Angden

Hundred in Gangtok – Part 5 (Final)

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But me and my camera was not having any desire of sleeping as I wanted to capture the beautiful Teesta river in my eyes as well in the camera lens. The views from the bus window were amazing. Early morning, cloudy weather, green high mountains and flowing Teesta; I could not ask more from the Nature. I clicked endless photographs. After some time it started raining which made the surrounding more beautiful. Around 7.30 we stopped in the middle near a small tea shop just near the banks of the Teesta. It was a great experience to have tea on the banks of Teesta while is was raining outside.

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Hundred in Gangtok – Part 4

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The very first place to visit was Tashi View Point. It was around a distance of 7 km from our hotel. It is an observation point at an altitude of 6000 ft developed be erstwhile king of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal. On clear days in early morning, this is the best place in Gangtok to view the mighty Mount Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. One final destination still remained to visit and it was Ban Jhakhri Falls. It is a theme park surrounded by lush green forest on the outskirts of Gangtok.

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Hundred in Gangtok – Part 3

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Vehicles are not allowed on MG Marg like in most Mall Roads in any hill station. A large sign board welcomed us at MG Marg. We were completely stunned after witnessing MG Marg, the feeling was kind of a European city. Gangtok administration has developed and maintained it in very good manner. It has been divided into two lanes, one lane for one side walking. And the divider is not a typical road divider. A large number of beautiful plants with flowers give the feeling of a green belt to the divider. On both sides of divider, benches have been placed so that people can sit and enjoy their time with no hurry. I didn’t have an experience of this kind of setup before.

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Hundred in Gangtok – Part 2

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Very soon we hit the Sevoke town and surroundings change dramatically. For first time we saw mighty Teesta river as it was flowing on right side of the road. On left side of the road were hills. The view was very beautiful and everybody in the bus was astonished. It was hard to believe the change of surroundings so sudden. As the bus was moving towards Gangtok on scenic NH 31A, we were enjoying the green hills, Teesta river running side by side and also the beautiful rainy weather.

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Hundred in Gangtok – Part 1

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What could be the meaning of the title of this post Hundred in Gangtok ? This is about visiting Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, in a group of around 100 persons one year back in May 2011. At sharp 2:00 the train started its journey at the right time. The mood inside the coach was like we were in some party. There were different activities happening in different compartments – people were playing cards, watching movies on laptops, senior persons were talking about politics and nation.

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सिक्किम त्रासदी : कुछ फुटकर यादें…

सिक्किम त्रासदी : कुछ फुटकर यादें…

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यही वज़ह है कि जब कोई प्राकृतिक आपदा उस प्यारी सी जगह को एक झटके में झकझोर देती है, मन बेहद उद्विग्न हो उठता है। हमारे अडमान जाने के ठीक दो महिने बाद आई सुनामी एक ऐसा ही पीड़ादायक अनुभव था। सिक्किम में आए इस भूकंप ने एक बार फिर हृदय की वही दशा कर दी है। हमारा समूह जिस रास्ते से गंगटोक फेनसाँग, मंगन, चूँगथाँग, लाचुंग और लाचेन तक गया था आज वही रास्ता भूकंप के बाद हुए भू स्खलन से बुरी तरह लहुलुहान

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सफ़र सिक्किम का भाग 8 : फूलों की तरह लब खोल कभी, खुशबू की जुबाँ में बोल कभी…

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दुनिया जहान की छोड़िए हम तो बात सिक्किम की कर रहे थे। क्या आपके लिए ये आश्चर्य की बात नहीं है कि सिक्किम जैसे अत्यंत छोटे से प्रदेश में भी इस फूल की 600 प्रजातियाँ हैं। दरअसल सिक्किम का कुछ हिस्सा समुद्र तल के करीब है तो इसके कुछ हिस्से कुछ 17000 फीट से भी ऊँचे हैं। इसलिए इस पूरे इलाके की आबो हवा इतने तरह के आर्किड्स की रचना करने में सहायक होती है।

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सफर सिक्किम का भाग 7 : बर्फ की वादियाँ , छान्गू झील और कथा बाबा हरभजन सिंह की !

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पिछली पोस्ट में आपने इस श्रृंखला में मेरे साथ यूमथांग घाटी की सैर की थी। शाम को हम गंगतोक लौट चुके थे। रात भर…

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Goecha La (Sikkim) Trek

Goecha La (Sikkim) Trek

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After spending a day in Gangtok, I proceeded to Yuksom, a small town about 150 km away from Gangtok which can be reached via Rwangla or Rangpo. This is the place from where the trek to Dzongri, Goecha La and to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga begins. The way to Yuksom is absolutely gorgeous with marvelous mountain views with green/blue watered Rangit river flowing in the middle of this Himalayn Kingdom. I started of on 27th September for Yuksam via Rumtek and Rwangla. At Rumtek, we gave lift to a couple of people from Rwangla.

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