A Travel Blog

Gangtok is the new capital of Sikkim situated on the top of a 1850 metres high mountain. A small town but picturesque, it  takes 3 hours to travel the whole town.But its main attraction is natural scenery, which is endless.

Trekkers may visit Tashiding 19 kms.away fromYuksom. Hired jeeps ply on this road. On the top of the mountain, Tashiding Monastry  invites the tourists. It was built by 3^rd chogiyal in1716 A.D. It is a very sacred place to the Buddhists. Rangeet and Roting rivers flow by the both sides of the Monastry.

In spring Bumchu festival is organized here. From far flung areas devotees come to attend. Bumchu means Mouth of a big stone Jar. It is opened at the time of the Spring Festival. This Jar is 300 hundred years old which has unlimited volume of water. Winter is predominant here. The excellent time is Feb to May and October to December. For necessary trekking materials— sleeping bags, Jacket coolie, guide and for other informations tourist may contact Yok & Yeti Travels , Snow Lion Travels, Sikkim Himalayan Adventure.

At Tigjuk, close by Permiangshee, tourist may visit the relies of Robdentse. Second Chogiyal built his capital at Rabdentse in the latter part of the 17^th century. Visitor may end his tour at Dra Lhagang, adjacent to Rabdentse. Now he may return to his place of residence via Siliguri of West Bengal.

There are many a ‘Gumpha’ – Monastry ,the state has 140 Monastries. The city of Gantok starts with Monastry. The border of Tibbet is 50 kms from gamtok . Nathula pass 143000 feet above sea level is 59 kms from Gantok . The city has 50.000 population.

N.K. Monastry , built in 1840 , is 3 kms away from Bus stand near the Tourist Lodge beside the Jail. On the first floor ,it has a library. It  has a good collection of Masks used in Lama Dance. Lama festival is held in December every year. These is deer park beside Secretariat. Not far from , palace of Chogiyal ,Lagislative Assembly are situated Garment of cottage Industries. It remains closed on Sunday and on other holidays.The third biggest library of Tibbetology of the world named Research Institute of Tibbetology  has come up here. A three storied building attracts thousands of learners  from the different parts of the world. On the one 3^rd  floor canvas of numbers Aganta style of paintings are in good numbers in the walls. It also remains closed on Sundays and on other holidays.

Tourist Information centre is near the bus stand. From 15^th April to 15^th june and again from 15^th September to 15^th November Tourist Information centre arranges conducted tours.

At a glance:-

Capital: Gangtok  Area: 7325 scq kms.  Population: more than 4 lacs.

Density of Population: 50 per square km. 836 women against 1000 males.

Rate of Literacy: 40% . Main Languages: Sikkimese and Gorkhali.

Proper Tavelling Time: March to May and October to December.

Clothing: Heavy woolen Garments are needed during traveling .

Temperature:-- In summer from 21.28- 23.03 celseus and in winter 0.4 to 12.5 celseus .

Tour In Seven Days.

There are two routes to enter Sikkim – ance from Kalimpong of West Bengal and the other from Siliguri via Geging by bus.

The Himalayan beauty spot Sikkim is the second smallest state of India. Gangtok is the capital. Whole state is hilly. Its width is 100 kms from North to South and 60 kms from East to West . From sea level it is 244 to 8540 metres above. To the south is Darjeeling. To the east are Tibbet and Bhutan and to the west is Napal. The river Tista flows though its valleys. Sikkim is the jewel in the crown of India.

In the 15^th and 16^th century, these was a tussle in Lamaism in Tibbet. At that time Ning-pa Buddhism was powerful in Sikkim. So, Ning–Pa Buddhist left Tibbet for Bhutan in a large scale.

They started to settle in Sikkim as immigrant. They started to build “Sukkim” that is new houses . The Tibbetan word “sukkim” became Sikkim.

Sikkim was a protectorate of India for a long time. The chief was the King, but India used to appoint her Prime-Minister who was called Dewan. This system was abolished on the 26^th April 1975 with the annexation of Sikkim into India. Foreigners need permit to tour Sikkim. A team of 4 to 20 can get permission for trekking in the West Sikkim.

One fourth of Sikkim is covered by forest. A variety of 650 flowers are seen in Sikkim. A variety of 550 birds and butterflies are found in Sikkim. The beautiful valley attracts all the tourists . 75% of total population is Nepalese, 18% is Lepcha, Bhutanese is 6% and 1% is from the other provinces of India. Lepchas were the first to settle in Sikkim migrating from Assam Dalai Lama of LASA appointed first Buddhist King in Sikkim in 1641 in the political history of Sikkim.

Important Information For Tourists:

Deputy Director ,Sikkim Tourism 14 Panchasheet Marg,Chankyapuri,New Delhi—110021,

or

Assistant Director, Sikkim tourism, Pradhan Nagar, Siliguri

or

Assistant Resident Commissioner , Govt. of Sikkim , 4-c Poonam ,5/2 Russel st. Kolkata—700017

or

Immigration officer in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,Chennai airport issue permit for 15 days’ tour. No foreigner can proceed to acces to Rongli and Fodong in east and north Sikkim respectively.

Few warnings about the food for western travelers visiting south Asia:

SAFE foods and drinks:

• bottled water, carbonated water, hot tea, bear and other alcohol beverages, pasteurized milk 
• cooked food, if served hot
• caned food 
• fruits, which may be peeled by the user 

 NOT safe:

• tap water (not even for teeth brushing),  ice cubs , fruit juices in general, unpasteurized milk, cold tea;
• raw vegetables, raw meat or any unpacked food bought on the street.

It’s really important to always wash hands with the soap after shopping, using toilets and especially before eating.  

Travelers are usually not resistant to microbes which occur in South Asia, so diarrhea may develop quickly without knowing from what exact reason. Diarrhea may appear suddenly and can be dramatic, but it is mild in most cases and it goes away in few days without any treatment. It is important to drink enough fluid to prevent dehydration though.

Doctor should be visited in prolonged (>3 days), heavy or bloody diarrhea, fever, strong abdominal pain, or profound weakness. 

Read how to prevent traveler’s diarrhea with medications and how to treat it if necessary.