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Sikkim, which is one of the smallest states in India, is famous for Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world at 8586 meters. Historically a Buddhist kingdom, Sikkim has close links with Tibet. It's the home of over 250 monasteries of mostly the Nyingma-pa sect. Sikkim is also rich in flora and fauna. About 450 varieties of orchids, over 600 species of butterflies, 500 species of birds along with red pandas, snow leopards and other animals are found here. The largest collection can be seen at the Kanchenjunga National Park.
What to do:
If you have a week, I would suggest Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and a farm stay at Yangsum farm in west Sikkim.
The first place to start your holiday would be from Gangtok. The capital of Sikkim is also the largest city in the state. It’s a melting pot of different cultures. Being on the lower Himalayas, it offers some breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga. While there are many places to stay in Gangtok, Hidden Forest Retreat is a good choice. It is spread over three acres of lush green garden with all kinds of trees, bamboos, ferns, flowers, shrubs, lilies and orchids with a variety of birds and butterflies making this their home. The retreat is an extension of the flower nursery which specializes in Tissue Culture, breeding Orchids, Lilies, and Azaleas for over two decades.
You can start your Gangtok sojourn with Do-Drul Chorten. Built in 1945 by Trulshi Rimpoche, Do-drul Chorten is one of the most important attractions in Gangtok. The beautiful milky white stupa has a revered golden Shikhara containing 108 prayer wheels which makes a highly religious place. Do-drul chorten contains the complete mandala set of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics (Holy books), and many other holy objects including complete Zung (mantras).
The flower exhibition centre is worth a visit. A variety of multi-colored orchids, seasonal flowers as well as bonsai are on display. The entire exhibition is in a well-planned, enclosed greenhouse and is an excellent place to observe the flora or take photos.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is another interesting place to visit. The Institute is located in Deorali, to the south of central Gangtok. It promotes research in Buddhism, art, culture and history of Tibetan cultural region. The verandah inside is adorned with a magnificent painting of four celestial guardians kings located in the four directions of Mount Meru. The museum has a precious repository of ancient manuscripts and books on Mahayana Buddhism. The star attraction here is a silver image of Manjushri - the Bodisattva of knowledge.
After Gangtok, I would suggest a visit to the mystical Tsomgo Lake on the ancient silk route. It is at a height of 12000 feet and on the Gangtok-Nathula highway which forms a part of the old trade route from India to China. During the winters the lake becomes frozen. A temple of Lord Shiva is constructed on the Lakeside. It is said that in olden times, lamas used to study the color of the water of the lake and forecast the future. If the water of the lake had a dark tinge, it foreshadowed a year of trouble and unrest in the State. The most fun way of spending time at the lake is to take a Yak ride. Visit the nearby village and have a sumptuous meal of traditional steamed dumplings or “Momo” as they are popularly known as.
A farm stay in rural Sikkim is a fabulous way to experience the land. I would suggest 3-4 days stay at Yangsum farm, located in west Sikkim. The 135 km ride from Gangtok will take you 5 hours. . The farm is managed by Thendup Tashi Bhutia, first cousin of the ace footballer Baichung. The farmhouse was built in 1833 and remodeled in 1966. The organic farm consists of open mixed forest of pine, Himalayan alder, chestnut, magnolia, rhododendrons, cherry and others. Cardamom, avocados, oranges, bananas, pears, apricots, mangoes, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes and peas are also grown. During the cultivating season maize, paddy, millet, potatoes, ginger, turmeric, and sweet potatoes are produced.
You can start the first day with a lovely outdoor breakfast facing Kanchenjunga. Go for a long countryside walk. Thendup is a great guide and will ensure you an informative as well as enjoyable trip. During the walk, you will encounter walls in some villages with intricate paintings. These are ancient prayer walls and worth a look at.
A full day sightseeing tour of nearby places is suggested for the second day. Thendup will be gracious enough to pack a nice picnic lunch and you can have it on a helipad! The helipad is situated at Pelling. You get spectacular views of the Mount Kanchendzonga, the Guardian Deity of Sikkim.
After lunch at the helipad, proceed towards Pemayangtse Monastery. It is the most important monastery of the Nyingmapa order and was built in the late seventeenth century by Lama Lhatsum Chenpo one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal (religious monarch) of Sikkim. The monastery houses numerous religious idols & other objects of worship. Donot miss visiting the top floor which houses a wooden structure depicting the Maha Guru’s heavenly palace (Sang-tok-palri), considered a masterpiece created by Late Dungzin Rimpoche.
The final destination for the day can be Rabdentse ruins. Rabdentse was the second capital of Sikkim & was established in the late seventeenth century by the second Chogyal of Sikkim. It was abandoned towards the end of the eighteenth century because of the threat posed by Nepal & the capital was shifted to Tumlong. You need to trek about 2 kms from the main road near Pemayangtse monastery through a nature reserve to reach it. The reserve is a sanctuary for 106 species of birds like the Steppe eagle, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Black-eared Shrike Babbler and Dark-breasted Rosefinch. At Rabdentse, you can have a look at the king’s bed room, assembly hall and kitchen, public courtyard and other palace guards’ rooms.
How to get there
Sikkim doesn’t have any airports or railway stations. The best way to reach Gangtok is from New Jalpaiguri railway station or Bagdogra airport in West Bengal. You can engage a jeep or van from either of these places for Gangtok. The road journey will take around 4 hours. You can book your road transport through your hotel in Gangtok to save time and energy. Hidden Forest Retreat can be contacted on 0359-2205197. Travel agents in Gangtok can arrange for the visit to Tsomgo Lake. However, you will need to send across your photographs and identity proof a week in advance so the necessary permits can be arranged. Galaxy tours did a good job for me . You can contact Tenzing Bhutia at Galaxy Tours on 0359-2201290. For Yangsum Farm, contact Thendup at 03595245322 or +919434179029 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . As regards the journey from Gangtok to Yangsum, a jeep can be arranged by Thendup
Precautions
Sikkim is a mountainous region and all trips are by road. Some people can feel dizzy and uneasy during the hairpin bends up the hills! The best way to handle this is by carrying some chewing gum and pop corn.
Don't forget to read a travelogue in the next page with a personal account of this itenarary.