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Sikkim
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| Small but
beautiful. Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas . Spread below the Mount
Khanchendzonga (8534 mts), the third highest mountain in the world,
and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. With an area of
7,300 sq kms and measuring approx. 114 kms from the north to south and 64
kms from east to west, the elevation ranges from 300 mts to over 8540 mts
above sea level. |
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| Amidst the grandeur
of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers, hills, Sikkim
offers her visitors a rare and singular experience. Within a matter of
hours one can move from the sub tropical heat of the lower valleys to the
cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the area of perpetual
snow . |
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General
Information |
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Area
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7300 sq.
kms.
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Population
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4,21,500
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Climate
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Summer: Max. 20.7°C;
Min. 13.1°C Winter : Max. 14.9°C; Min. 7.7°C
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Best
Season :
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March to late
May/October to December
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Clothing
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Summer: Light
Woollens Winter: Heavy Woollens
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Language
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Nepali,
Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, Spoken English, Hindi
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Tourist Places
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Gangtok
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| The Capital of
Sikkim situated at an altitude of 5,800 feet straddling a ridge is a place
where the journey into Sikkim begins. All amenities are available at
Gangtok like post and telegraph office, e-mail & internet, PCOs,
Railway reservation counter and Airlines booking office, cinema halls and
good hotels and restaurants. |
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Research Institute of Tibetology
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About one kilometer downhill from the main market of Gangtok, amidst a
small forest of Oak, Magnolia and Birch trees stands the Research
Institute of Tibetology built in 1958, promoting research into Mahayana
Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the
world's largest collection of books and rare manuscripts on Buddhism and
many religious works of art and a collection of beautiful silk embroidered
Tibetan paintings called Thangkas. |
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Phurba Chorten
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Just adjacent to the institute of Tibetology perched on a hilltop is a
huge towering monument called 'Stupa' with a gold apex surrounded by
prayer-wheels, 113 in number with the mystic mantra "OM MANE PADME
HUM'' (Hail jewel in a lotus) inscribed on them. A little ahead of the
chorten is a shrine containing huge images of Guru Padmasambhava and his
reincarnation Guru Song Zisil Gnon. |
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Ravangla
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| RAVANGLA At the
base of Maenam Hill is Ravangla, a small township and
transit to various tourist destinations in South Sikkim and West Sikkim .
It is also an upcoming tourist spot, and transit point for trekkers to Maenam
Hill and Borong. There are accommodation facilities and
numerous short nature trails. A trek down to the sacred cave "Shar
Chok Bephu", one of the holiest caves in Sikkim. |
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Cottage Industries
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Located at about one kilometer uphill from the main market near the Zero
Point, is a Government Organisation established in 1957 for promoting the
manufacture and sale of local handicrafts, carpets and furniture. It also
sells Thankas and Choksees (carved wooden folding tables). Masks and hand
made paper are a speciality of this center. |
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Tsuk La Khang
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This is the royal Chapel and the principal place of worship for the
Sikkimese people. It is a beautiful Sikkimese structure with its interior
covered with murals and the lavishly decorated altars hold images of
Buddha and Tantric deities surrounded by fine wood carvings. The Only time
it is open to the public is during the Loosar festival which usually falls
in the month of February when the famous Mask Dances are performed
portraying the triumph of Good over Evil. |
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Pelling
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| Pelling is fast
growing to be an urban settlement due to tourist influx. Situated at an
altitude of 6,800 ft, it offers a good view of entire mountain ranges and
due to this locational advantages, many hotels and lodges have mushroomed
in and around Pelling offering various categories of accommodation
facilities. There is a bus service which links Pelling to west district
headquarter town of Gyalshing , situated at a distance of 10 kms. from
Pelling. |
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Rinchenpong
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A sleepy old village where it seems that time stood still for hundreds of
years. This is the historical place where the first battle between the
British and the Sikkimese was fought in 1863. The Sikkimese, unable to
overpower the strong British army, tactfully poisoned them to death. Later
the British came back and took possession of the entire village and made
it their base. The Bungalow built by them still exists and is a
masterpiece, within the beautiful setting of a pinetum forest. A 3 kms.
trek from here takes one to Ressium hill, from where the sunrise over
Kanchendzonga is a breathtaking sight. 20 Kms. away there is a famous hot
spring called the Purchachu Reshi Hot Spring. The water of this spring is
said to have great medicinal values because of the high sulphur content.
During the winter months people come from all over and take long dips in
the water for therauptic effects. The renowned Kahdosangphu cave or the
Cave of Fairness is also situated here. |
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Tendong Hill
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- Above Damthang, overlooking South
District Headquarter town Namtse, there is a small flat stretch
of land at an altitude of 8530 ft.,surrounded by lush green ancient
forest which is popularly known as the Tendong Hill.
Historically, this has been a place of recluse for Buddhist Lamas who
spend years in meditation amidst the silent scenic grandeur. The view
from the top of the Tendong Hill is something to be cherished
and enjoyed as it spans across plains of Bengal to the majestic
heights of the Himalayan Ranges. One can also proceed to Namtse
by trekking
via Tendong Hill following the traditional route used in the
old days. Such trekking is also possible throughout the year except
during monsoons, that is if one is scared of ubiquitous leaches.
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Kabi Lungchuk
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| This historical
place is 17 Kms. from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway. This is where
the historic treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepcha Chief Te-Kung-Tek
and the Bhutia Chief Khey- Bum-Sar was signed ritually. The place where
the ceremony took place is marked by a memorial stone pillar amidst the
cover of dense forest.
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Chungthang
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| Chungthang, on the
confluence of Lachen and Lachung Chu and the starting point of River
Teesta, has emerged as a major sub-division settlement in North Sikkim. It
is the nodal junction of the two passes, Lachen and Lachung. The valley is
said to have been blessed by Guru Guru Rimpoche and one can visit the Holu
Guru Lhedo to see the foot and palm prints left behind by the Patron
Saint. The place, rich in bio-diversity with large variety of orchids,
plants & wild-life, is 95 Kms. from Lachen. |
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Lachung
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| A Bhutia village in
the north at a height of 8,600 feet and at a distance of 117 Kms. from
Gangtok is a stop-over place for people visiting Yumthang. The way up to
the village and the village itself is adorned with gigantic and
breathtakingly beautiful water-falls and scenic landscape. The people of
this place are called Lachungpas. |
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Yumthang
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| The playground of
the Gods as the people threre say, a valley in North Sikkim, 23 Kms. away
from Lachung and at an elevation of 11,800 feet, is a paradise for Nature
lovers. Besides having a fascinating blend of flora and fauna, the valley
also has a very pretty and vivid range of scenic sights. In summers it is
the grazing ground of the yaks and turns into a valley of flowers with
Premulas, Daisies and Rhododendrons dotting the entire landscape. In the
winters it is a different world altogether, with snow-capped mountains and
snow covered landscape. There is a hot spring worth taking a dip in. |
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Lachen
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| A
picturesque village situated at a distance
of 47 Kms. from Lachung & 26 Kms.
form Chungthang, at an elevation of
9200ft. The Lachen River flows through
the village forming a beautiful landscape
with snow capped, razor edged peaks
jutting out in the far horizon. The
people of this place are called lachenpas. |
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Sikkim
Travel Reservation Form
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