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TravelTips24 : South Asia : India : Eastern India : Sikkim

Sikkim

Sikkim, Nepali: सिक्किम, is a state in East India in the Himalayan foot hills also bordering the nations of China, Nepal and Bhutan.

Regions

Towns

Culture and History

Nepalese, Hindi, Limbu, Bhutia, Lepcha and English

Travel to Sikkim & Visa Requirements

There are no airports or railways in Sikkim. Nearest airport for Sikkim is Bagdogra, near Siliguri in North Bengal, which is 124 km and approximately four hours drive from Gangtok. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Deccan Air, etc. service Bagdogra linking it with Kolkata, Guwahati and New Delhi. The main way to enter Sikkim from the rest of India is by road using bus or jeep from West Bengal. Darjeeling and Siliguri both have regular services into the state. You can also take a helicopter from Siliguri to Gangtok.

After 44 years of closure, the Nathu La pass to Tibet, China – a part of the historic Silk Road – opened again in July 2006. There are plans for a Gangtok-Lhasa bus service.

Nathu la pass is now open to tourists. People who wish to visit Nathu la should get special permission one day in advance.

Eight kilometers from Nathu la is the original Harbajan Singh Baba Temple from which the Indo-Bhutan border is approximately 6 km and the India-China border is around 5 km. A must visit place for all those who like to explore places.

Tours & Getting around Sikkim

Most travel in Sikkim is done by bus or jeep on road. Trekking is also a popular option.

Sikkim attractions and sightseeing

  • Rumtek Monastery [1] – 24 km from Gangtok in East Sikkim – the main seat of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. Originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in 1740, but fell into disrepair. The current structure dates from 1959.

Sikkim city tours

  • Yak and Yeti Travels, Gangtok(Zero Point), ☎ 9434117418, [2]. trekking trips, North Sikkim package tours, day visit to Tsomgo Lake, village stays, helicopter flight, tours to monasteries, mountain biking, cultural treks, camping, river rafting etc. edit
  • Navigator India: Darjeeling Sikkim tour & travel info.

Sikkim Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Sikkimese relish Tibetan food. You must eat delicious momos stuffed with meat. For vegeterians, veg momos are also available. Noodles, locally called Thupkas, are also good.

Sikkim nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Locally brewed millet beer known as "Chhang"/"Thumba" served in bamboo glass and wooden straw, and liqours like whiskey, brandy, rum etc. Booze is very cheap in Sikkim as compared to other parts of India. Also don't forget special liqueurs like orange, coffee, tea and even pan (betelnut with aromatic spices encased in a betel leaf).

Sikkim cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • Hotel Superview Himalchuli, Zero Point. Run by the Sikkimese family. It is ideal for families. This hotel offers a panoramic views of the Gangtok town, valleys and mountains. It has room top garden and private parking. The rooms are reasonably priced and offers multi cuisine.

Get out

This page was last edited at 13:29, on 11 November 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by David, Michael Kreis, paandu raam, Akshay Sureka and Nick Roux, Wikitravel user(s) Salvadors, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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