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Discover the Pearl of the Eastern Himalayas
Between snow and fairytale forests rich in orchids Sikkim’s lush, green hills and snow-capped peaks spread below Mt. Kangchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. The gigantic mountain is revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. For a long time the former kingdom of Sikkim was difficult to access and considered the last Shangri-la. While modernity with all its comforts and side-effects is quickly grasping India’s second smallest and one of its youngest states. Yet its profound shamanist and Buddhist roots and agrarian heritage is still very much mirrored in mystic sights, natural riches and idyllic landscapes.
Within a matter of hours it is possible to move from the sub-tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the perpetual snow of the Himalayan giants. These enormous differences in altitude have resulted in a tremendous biodiversity that is unequaled on as small an area as Sikkim.
This marvelous, tiny and picturesque land offers a wealth of opportunities to its visitors - a never-dwindling spring for all senses. Whether you are interested in Himalayan cultures, Buddhism, botany, ornithology, tea or mountaineering – the charm and gentleness of the Sikkimese and their unique land is bound to enchant you forever.
Best Time to Travel
Spring to March to beginning of June
Spring is ideal to experience Sikkim’s flowers, especially rhododendron and orchids. Dense fragrant forests with multi-colored blooming rhododendron- and magnolia-trees adorn the mountain-slopes. Primula, orchids and bougainvillea are in full bloom and from April onwards the landscape is painted in a lush green. Terraced fields on the sloped land alongside rivers are ploughed by ox and rice-seedlings are raised. Country folk is engaged in sowing and livestock is grazing on the fresh grass.
Summer to mid-June to September
Monsoon bestows Sikkim with intense rains along with high humidity and warm temperatures. The terraced paddy-fields are flooded, rice-seedlings are planted and allowed to grow strong roots in the submerged soil. Many exotic flowers and orchids are in bloom. The north is less affected by monsoon and the high-altitude meadows now display a colorful spectacle with an amazing variety of alpine flora including Sikkim’s state flower, the blue poppy.
Autumn – October to December
Monsoon is over, the valleys are green and the sky often blue. This is Sikkim’s prime harvest-season. Rice-fields are turning from green to golden, a variety of vegetable crops are sown and many religious festivals take place. In the north farmers and herdsmen move down to lower altitudes. Mountain-views are clear and the sun shines frequently making this the most popular time for trekking in Sikkim.
Winter - December to March
Mild temperatures and clear sky are ideal for hiking in lower altitudes. The sikkimese- and Tibetan New Year are celebrated during this time and many religious mask-dances take place in the courtyards of the monasteries and archery-competitions are organized in various parts of the state.
Sikkim Itineraries
Culture & Nature Travel
- Grande Sikkim Cultural Tour -
18 days with optional easy to moderate optional hikes
- Sikkim, Darjeeling & Kalimpong -
14 days with optional easy hikes
Tea Travel
- Tea Travel Darjeeling & Sikkim -
14 days in the world of tea-gardens
Bike-Adventure
- Sikkim Bike Adventure -
16 days with 10 days of easy to moderate or challenging biking
Trekking
Westsikkim
- Sikkim Kanchenjunga Trek: Dzongri & Göchela -
16 days with 7-days Trekking up to max 4950 m (16’200 ft)
- Sikkim Kanchenjunga Trek: Singelela & Göchela via Uttarey or Nambu -
18 – 19 days with 11 – 12-days Trekking up to max 4950 m (16’200 ft)
South-westsikkim -
- Sikkim Singelela-Rhododendron Trek Varsey -
10 days with 5-days trekking up to max. approx. 3530 m (11’600 ft)
Northsikkim -
- Yumthang – Lachen Passage -
15 days with 6-days trekking up to max. 4750 m (15’600 ft)
- Dzongu: To the remote land of the Lepchas -
16 days with 6-days trekking up to max. 2900 m (9500 ft)
Expeditions
- Mt. Chogyal, 5830 m
- Mt. Burumkhangtse, 5635 m
- Mt. Thinchenkhan, 6050 m
Sikkim in Brief
Location |
Sikkim shares her borders with Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the East, Nepal in the West and the Indian State of West Bengal in the South. |
Area |
7096 qkm |
Population |
Approx. 540’000 as per 2001 census with a density of 76 persons per km².
The population of Sikkim has grown by more than 33 % over the period 1991 – 2001, much of it through immigration from Nepal and the Indian state of West Bengal.
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Capital City |
Gangtok, 1700 m; approx. 80’000 – 100’000 |
Districts |
4: North-, East-, South- and West-Sikkim |
Topography |
Himalayan mountain ranges with altitude-differences of more than 8200 m and more than 28 mountain-peaks and 21 glaciers and 227 mountain lakes.
In the south the Tista-valley descends down to below 300 m while the land in the Northwest raises up to 8598 m (Mt. Kangchenjunga).
The state is drained by104 rivers and streams out of which Tista and Rangit are the main ones: Tista has its source at Gurudongma Lake in the Lachen-valley while Rangit’s source is found in West-Sikkim. The land’s lush valleys are covered by forests or terraced fields. |
Vegetation |
Subtropical, temperate and alpine.
The low-lands in the south has a lush sub-tropical vegetation with figs, laurel, sal-trees and bamboos. The temperate forest of oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia and silver fir dominates between 1500 m (5000 ft) and 4000 m (13000ft). Above is the alpine zone where juniper, cypresses and rhododendrons grow. Luxuriant forests cover 36% of the land. |
Flora |
Amongst Sikkim’s more than 4000 plant-species are 362 varieties of fern, 424 of medicinal plants, 448 of orchids, 37 of rhododendron, 21 of bamboo, 30 of primulas, etc.
Even though tiny Sikkim has only 0.5% of the land area of India she has over 26% of her biodiversity. The slopes of the high altitudes are covered by a a variety of alpine flowers such as primula, meconopsis (blue poppy), potentilla, rhubarbs and gentians.
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| Fauna |
Amongst the mammals of Sikkim are the rare snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda, marbled cat, musk deer and blue sheep. Birdlife is abundant with giant Lammergeier, vultures, eagles, whistling thursh, minivets, bulbuls and pheasants among the 550 species to be seen in Sikkim. There are more than approx. 400 species of butteflies and moths, some of them endemic and about 48 species of fish.
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| Climate |
Sub-tropical in the south to alpine in the northern parts. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim enjoy a temperate climate. |
| Perpetual snowline |
Approx. 6000 m (19'600 ft) |
Treeline |
Approx. 3800 m (12'500 ft) |
Temperatures |
At 1500 m (5000 ft):
April - September: + 18°C – 30°C.
October – March: + 3°C - + 18°C.
Temperatures seldom exceed 28 °C (82 °F) in summer and rarely drop below 0 °C (32 °F) in winter at altitudes between 1000 and 2000 m. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18 °C (64 °F).
The lowest temperatures are in December and January. |
Precipitation |
Gangtok: 325 cm per annum. The wettest month is July or August.
North-Sikkim: 60 cm per annum.
During the monsoon months, the state is lashed by heavy rains that increase landslides. The state record for the longest period of non-stop rain is eleven days during monsoon.
Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall in winter at altitudes above 3500 m.
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Languages |
The lingua franca today in Sikkim is Nepali.
Sikkim’s native languages Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo are also still spoken, especially in rural areas or amongst traditional families. Tibetan, Hindi, Bengali and English is also widely spoken.
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People |
Today three main groups make up the population of Sikkim: The Nepalese who migrated from Nepal (approx. 75 + %), the indigenous Lepchas and the Bhotias with Tibetan origins (approx. 12 %). There is also a sizable number of tradesmen originally from other parts of India as well as Tibetans who came as refugees. |
Literacy |
About 69 % |
Religions |
Buddhism (about. 30 %), Hindus (about. 65 %), Shamanism, Christianity (approx.. 3 + %). There is also a minority of Muslims, Sikhs and Jains. |
Economy |
Sikkim is a agrarian society with livestock and crops grown such as corn, rice, buckwheat, millet and barley for local consumption.
Black cardamom, tea, ginger and mandarins are exported to other states of India from where black cardamom and tea are exported worldwide. There are some horticulture-enterprises. Besides breweries and a watch-factory there is hardly any industry. Tourism is a major source of income. The Teesta hydroelectric power project which is currently under construction in various parts of Sikkim generates revenue for the state.
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How to reach Sikkim |
Flight to Kolkota or Delhi in India
From Delhi or Kokota by domestic flight to Bagdogra Airport in the state of West Bengal – or by train from Delhi (21 hrs) or Kolkota to NJP train-station.
From Bagdogra or NJP (New Jalpaiguri) it is a 5-hrs journey of 130 km by jeep to Sikkim or a 35-min. trip by helicopter ex Bagdogra Airport. |
| Souvenirs |
Tibetan-style wood-carvings, carpets, masks and thangkas (Buddhist holy pictures). Silver- and gold-jewellery. Black tea and black cardamom. Passion-fruit squash and pickles. |
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Himalayan Homestay
