Location:
Eastern End Of Himalayas
Capital:
Gangtok
Tourist
Attractions: Trekking,
White Water Rafting, Rumtek
Monastery
Best Time
To Visit: March To May &
October To December |
Tourism in
Sikkim
Famous for Kanchendzonga, the third highest
mountain in the world at 8,586m, the
mountain kingdom of Sikkim has a tremendous
variety of plant and wildlife besides a
diverse ethnic mix of peoples with rich
cultural traditions. One of the smallest
states of India, it is bounded by Nepal to
the west and Bhutan to the east; by the
Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the
north and northeast and by West Bengal to
the south.
Gangtok - The
Capital of Sikkim
Sikkimese life is centred around Gangtok.
Its Buddhist past is the root of its appeal
for visitors, and remains evident at the
impressive Institute of Tibetology, the
Enchey Monastery, Pemayengtse and the
marvellous Rumtek Monastery not far away,
the last a thriving centre of Mahayana
Buddhism. Sikkim's pride, the orchid, is
nurtured at the Orchid Sanctuary and other
sites in and around Gangtok. Among the
festive attraction of this hilly capital is
the flower show that is held over here every
spring near White Hall, the Governor's
residence on the ridge above town. Trekking
in Sikkim is another adventure sports that
attracts lot's of trekkers to visit the
state.
-Sikkim
- History &
Ethnicity
Ruled by the Namgyal (Lepcha) clan since the
15th century, Sikkim lost much land to the
British and to Nepal and Bhutan in the 18th
century. With the defeat of the Nepali army
by the British in 1817, southern Sikkim was
given back to the ruler, in exchange for the
hill that later became known as Darjeeling.
The original inhabitants of Sikkim are the
Lepchas who stay in the central and northern
areas; lower valleys are inhabited by Nepali
immigrants. Other ethnic groups are the
Magars renowned as warriors and the Bhotias,
who came to Sikkim from the Kham area of
Tibet in the 13th century.
Sikkim
-
Culture & Tradition
The state's cultural life is related to
Tibetan religious and aesthetic traditions.
The cultural climax of the year comes with
the 2-day Phanglhapsol festival, when masked
dances are performed in honour of
Kanchenjunga, presiding deity and the
mountain. There are also many secular folk
dances. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
has one of the largest collection of Tibetan
books in the world. Many Buddhist
monasteries are repositories of artistic
treasures, including wall paintings, Tankas
or Thangkas (religious paintings mounted on
brocade), and bronze images.
Way Of Living
Tourism and agriculture are the two basis of
the Sikkim's economy. Sikkim is one of the
world's main producers of Cardamom, and the
region has also become an exporter of
Mandarin Oranges, Apples, and Potatoes.
Sikkim is also rich in mineral wealth. Its
forests have great economic value in sawn
Timber and wood Pulp. Sikkim's cotton and
wool weaving, carpets, rugs, blankets, and
bamboo work is well known.
Sikkim - Climate
Information
The climate varies with elevation and ranges
from tropical in the low valley bottoms to
Arctic-like conditions of perpetual snow and
ice in the higher reaches. The annual
rainfall varies from 50-200 inches (mostly
during May-October), and snow in the upper
levels often accumulates to a thickness of
30m. The best time to visit this state is
during the months of March to late May and
from October to December.
Summer: Max. 20.7°C; Min. 13.1°C, Winter:
Max. 14.9°C; Min. 7.7°C
Monsoon In Sikkim
Southern Sikkim comes under the
influence of the North - east monsoon. In
particular, the region south of
Kangchenjunga and the main Himalayan range
is subject to heavy rainfall lasting from
early June through till the beginning of
September. During this time, the region
experiences some of the heaviest rainfall in
the Indian Himalayas, with pu to 700 mm per
month falling in July and August
Post Monsoon
The post monsoon season extends from the
beginning of October until mid-November.
Although the daytime temperatures rarely
average more than 50C, at altitudes above
3,500m at this time the settled conditions
are ideal for trekking.
Winters
The first of the winter snows fall by mid to
late November, and snowfalls continue
throughout the winter until early March.
From mid-March onwards, the snows begin to
melt on the mountain passes and the snows
begin to melt on the mountain passes and the
daytime temperatures begin to rise to
between 100C and 150C.
Visiting Season
Monsoon clouds form by early May, with
intermittent storms, which last for a day or
two, reflecting the gradual build up of the
monsoon. However, this should not preclude
trekking at this time. The mornings are
generally clear, and clouds do not build up
until mid-morning. This is also the time
when the Rhododendrons and Magnolias are in
full bloom
Tourism Offices
Sikkim Tourist Information Centre -
Department of Tourism, Gangtok
Govt of Sikkim Office, 14 Panchsheel Marg,
Chankyapuri New Delhi
Sikkim Tourism Infornation Centre, 4C Poonam,
5/2 Russel St Calcutta.
Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Benito
Juarez Road, Anand Niketan, New Delhi-21
Sikkim Tourist Information Centre, SNT
Colony, Siliguri.
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India
Travel Guide / States / Sikkim Travel Guide
