Sikkim Travelogue

Pelling  is considered to be Kachenjunga's lap. If you are looking for a serene atmosphere to spend the rest of your vacations, head to Pelling.  The town is located at a distance of 10 km from the district headquarters of  Geyzing   and 131km from Gangtok. A regular bus service connects the two towns. However, with the influx of tourists, the region is undergoing a metamorphosis, with the roads being repaired and hotels being set up. The Himalayas   and the   Kanchenjanga   may be viewed at close quarters from Pelling. Pelling also forms the base from where trekkers and other peripatetic adventurers undertake the strenuous and arduous treks in West Sikkim. In the months of winter, Pelling is sometimes covered with a blanket of snow. Places to visit in and around Pelling include the local monasteries, rock garden, waterfall, the holy rock of Rani Dhunga, the imposing double-pronged Kanchenjungha Falls, the archaic quaint S...

Nathu La Pass is the popular mountain pass that connects Sikkim with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. You can easily see the Chinese soldiers on the other side of the fence from here. Only Indians are allowed to travel to this point and that too on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. So, visiting this place will give you a thrilling experience. After experiencing this, and coming back to Gangtok, you can stop at the Bakthang waterfalls. Here, you can watch the pleasant sunset and drink a hot cup of tea.

The reason why Sikkim is considered to be the best place for meditation is the presence of 200 monasteries in the state. The best time to visit these monasteries is February, July and December when special festivals are held with grand celebrations. The calmness of Buddhism in Sikkim however hasn’t come in the way of the architectural splendour of their temples. Here, all the monasteries are colourful and vibrant with intricate detailing adorning the statues and pillars. At a few monasteries, there is a provision to buy souvenirs, with beads being the speciality. Monastries like Dubdi monastry and Enchey monastry will give your eyes a treat. Further on your itinerary you can visit Tashi View Point, from where you apparently get “the best view” of the Kanchenjunga. Even from afar, a glimpse of the third-highest mountain that stands at an elevation of 28,169 ft is spellbinding. You can end  your sightseeing by taking a ride in ropeways.

Reach Gangtok by your preferable means of transport. It is a 4-5 hours drive, in case you are travelling by a taxi or SUV. Travelling over the mountaineous region may not be as comfortable as you think but in the midst of the travel, you'll witness the breathtaking view of the Teesta river which is a treat to eyes. After reaching Gangtok, you can relax and then head to Tsomgo lake. As it's an restricted area,  mandatory clearances are to be taken in advance. While experiencing this beautiful sight, you can pacify your hunger by buying food from the shacks. You may opt for a yak ride here.

There are no railway stations in Sikkim. The ways to enter Sikkim from rest of India is by road using bus or jeep from West Bengal, or by flight at Sikkim's only airport at Pakyong which is around 33 kms from Gangtok. The nearest Railway Station to Sikkim is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Buses ply in sikkim between Siliguri and Gangtok. You can also reach Gangtok from New Jalpaiguri in 4 hours by taking a shared taxi or an Individual Taxi. If you want to experience the serenic beauty of Sikkim, then i would suggest you to take a taxi.

It is often said that good things come in small packages. And while I say that, a place that instantly strikes my mind is the beautiful land of Sikkim. The aesthetic mural and spiritual aura of this place, glorify Sikkim as the “Land of mystic splendour”. Beautiful valleys, mesmerising landscapes, swirling rivers, high mountains, lush greenery and a peaceful environment- the majestic divinity of Sikkim is beyond imagination. Culturally, the state of Sikkim is like a homogeneous blend of different cultures, religions and communities.The people of Sikkim are extremely warm and friendly in the hospitality of the tourists. This is also one of the reasons behind Sikkim being one of the most visited tourist destinations. Sikkim has all the reasons to be considered as the ideal spot for a vacation. Whether you are looking for adventure activities or want to rejuvenate yourself spiritually or simply want to relax your mind amidst natural beauty, Sikkim has everything you desire.