About the State
Sal, palms, pandanus, bamboos, ferns, orchids, oak, laurel, magnolia,
alder, birch, hemlock and rhododendron- 33% of Sikkim is covered by forests.
Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is the least populous state in the
Indian subcontinent. Towering mountains, verdant valleys, meandering streams
and the virgin lakes make Sikkim a visitor's long-cherished dream. The state
has Nepal on its west, Bhutan on its east and Tibet on its north. The mighty
Mount Kanchendzonga extends a perfect backdrop to the beautiful state,
adding to the charm all the more. What is most attracting about the state is
its natural splendours- 600 bird species and 4,000 species of flowering
plants.
Climate Check
The southern Sikkim experiences a subtropical climate while the northern
part has the tundra climate. However, most of the inhabited regions of the
state enjoy a temperate climate, with temperature rarely exceeding 28
degrees during summer. During winter, the minimum temperature records 0
degree centigrade. June to September is the time of the monsoons. The state
receives a good amount of rainfall, increasing the number of landslides in
the region. Snowfall is a regular affair here. Fog during winters makes
transportation perilous.
Chief
Cities & Towns
Gangtok
Gangtok, the capital of Assam, sits on a long ridge along the Ranipul
river. The city offers phenomenal views of the Kanchendzonga range. The
typical Buddhist monastery and the Tibetology Institute are the key tourist
attractions here. Located at an altitude of 1,780 m/ 5,480 ft, Gangtok
enjoys a mild and temperate climate all the year round. Playing western rock
music in houses and restaurants is a common phenomenon here and the
residents like it a lot. Nepali, English and Hindi are the most widely
spoken languages in Gangtok. Momo is a popular snack here and what more
alcohol is cheap owing to low excise duty.
Lachung
Located in the North Sikkim, Lachung is perched at an elevation of 3,000 m/
9,600 ft. Lachung meaning small mountain is 125 km from capital Gangtok. The
Yumthan Valley and the Lachung Monastery are worth a visit. It makes a
splendid sight as the region dons the snowy attire in winters. Nepali,
Lepcha and Bhutia are the main languages spoken here.
Yuksom
Yuksom, privileged to be the first capital of Sikkim, was consecrated in
the year 1642, when three lamas from north, west and south chose Phutsong
Namgyal to be the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. Yuksum is held in high
esteem by the people of Sikkim.
Rabdentse
Rabdentse was the second capital of the Sikkim kingdom after Yuksom. It
remained the capital of the region from 1670 till 1814. Today its ruins lie
hidden from the main road that runs within walking distance from the
Pemayangtse monastery.
Adventure Sports Options
There is an abundance of adventure activities to be enjoyed once you are
here. Go for mountaineering or make up your mind to go river rafting. There
are other options like trekking and mountain biking to extract the maximum
of your holidays in Sikkim.
