Sikkim

Experience the panoramic perfection of the snow-capped Himalayas, where Mt. Khangchendzonga the third highest mountain in the World stands tall, the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture and joyous festivals. Precipitous slopes inhabited by high altitude exotic species of animals, some rare animals like snow leopard, clouded leopard and red panda, birds and flora. The river Teesta runs down the state where altitude range from almost sea level to over 28,000 feet, from north to south and is known as "Lifeline of Sikkim". The state has about 75 Buddhist Monasteries, dating back to the early 18th century.

General Information

Latitudes : 22°56' and 24°32' North
Longitudes : 90°09' and 92°20' East
Area : 10,492 square kilometers
Capital : Gangtok
Temperature : - 2° – 16° C in winter & 10° - 25° C in summer
Districts : 4
Population : 406,457
Official Language : Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Limbu
Male Population : 216,422
Female Population : 190,030
Population Density : 57 / square kilometers
Literacy Rate : 56.94%
Nearest Railway Station : New Jalpaiguri
Nearest Airport : Bagdogra
Major Towns : Gangtok, Pelling, Mangan, Gyalsing
Minimum Snow Fall : Thangu (82 millimeters)
Maximum Snow Fall : Gangtok (3494 millimeters)
Major Crops : Rice, Sugar cane, Cotton, Jute, Mesta
Major Peaks : Mount Khanchendzonga (8585 meters), Pandim (6691 meters), Talung (6147 meters), Jongsang (7459 meters), Rathong (6679 meters) and Sinioulchu (6887 meters)
Major Minerals : copper, iron, lime, dolomite / limestone, coal, quartzite and tale, silicate & graphite

Places to see in Sikkim

Gangtok
Botanical Garden
Pelling
Yuksom
Gezing
Jorethang - a major business center in south Sikkim
Namchi
Phodong
Chungthang
Gurudongmar Lake
Lachen
Lachung
Yumthang

Adventure Activities in Sikkim

Trekking: Monastic Trek, Rhododendron Trek, Khangchendzonga Trek, Coronation Trek, Khedi Trek, Singalila Trek, Kosturi Orar Trek, Samartek Trek , Rinchenpong/Soreng Trek, Himalayan Trek, Tendong Hill Trek
Mountain Biking: Gangtok - Rumtek -Sang - Sirwani - Temi - Damthang -Rabong - Kewzing - Tashiding -Yoksum - Geyzing - Dentam -Rinchenpong - Soreng – Sombaria - Jorthang - Namchi – Rangpo
Mountaineering: Jopuno, Tinchenkhang, Frey's Peak, Lamo Angden and Byrmkhangse
Yak Riding: Gangtok - Dzongu - Tsomgo Lake

Fairs and festivals in Sikkim

Saga Dawa
Lhabab Dhuechen
Drukpa Tshesh
Phang Lhabsol
Losoong
Losar
Bumchu
Guru Rimpoche's Trungkar Tshechu
Kalchakra Puja
Tihar orTyohar/ Diwali
Maghe Sankranti
Namsoong
Bhanu Jayanti
Nyempa Guzom

Wildlife in Sikkim

Kangchendzonga National Park
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

Pilgrimage/ Places of worship in Sikkim

Hanuman Tok (Gangtok)
Ganesh Tok (Gangtok)
Rumtek Monastery (Gangtok)
Pemayangtse Monastery (Pelling)
Enchey Monastery (Gangtok)
Tashiding Monastery (Gyalsing)
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Roman Catholic Church
Anjuman Mosque.

Heritage sites in Sikkim

Rumtek Monastery
Enchey Monastery
Kabi Lungchok
Rabdentse Ruins
Do-Drul Chorten

Art and Craft of Sikkim

Carpet Weaving
Wood Carving
Thangka Paintings (Religious scrolls)
Handicrafts
Choktse Tables
Woolen Carpets

Dance and Music of Sikkim

Zo-Mal-Lok
Chu-Faat
Tendong Lo Rum Faat
Kinchum-Chu-Bomsa
Denzong-Neh-Na
Ta-Shi-Yang-Ku
Tashi Shabdo
Guru-Chinlap
Singhi Chham
Yak Chham
Maruni
Chutkay
Jeurum Silly
Tamang
Selo
Lakhey (Mask) Dance
Dhaan Nach

Cuisine of Sikkim

Momos
Thukpa or Gya-thuk
Saelroti
Chhurpi
Ningro
Kinema
Gundruk
Sinki
Sishnu Soup
Chaang

Connectivity of Sikkim

By Air: The state does not have any airport. The nearest airport is Bagdogra (near Siliguri) in West Bengal, which lies only 125kms away from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
By Rail: The state does not have any rail network in its boundary. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (near Siliguri), which is connected to Gangtok by road.
By Road: Although the state of Sikkim lies at the foothills of the Himalayas, it has a good network of roads. The state can be entered through northern areas of West Bengal.