Sikkim TourDestinations
Nestled in the beautiful Himalayas, Sikkim is a small north Eastern state of India. It is a land of geographical diversity and the least populous state in India. Sikkim is the 22nd state of India came into existence with effect from 26th April, 1975. Sikkim state being a part of inner mountain ranges of Himalayas is hilly having varied elevation ranging from 300 to 8540 meters. But the habitable areas are only up to the altitude of 2100 mtrs. Constituting only 20% of the total area of the state. Sikkim shares her borders with Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the East, Nepal in the West and State of West Bengal in the South, holding 9 sub division, 4 districts (North, South, East & West) and population of 5,70,077 people.
The original people of Sikkim were the Lepchas, which means “ravine folk”. Lepchas came to the region from the Assam and Myanmar side. During 1200's AD, the Bhutia, a Tibetan people, started moving into the region. They included the Namgyal clan, who arrived in the 1400's and steadily won political control over Sikkim. In 1642, Phuntsog Namgyal (1604-1670) became the Chogyal (king).
Sikkim is adorned with snowy mountain, fast flowing rivers, lush valleys, terraced hills, sacred lakes, medicinal hot springs, pristine waterfalls, luxuriant forests with exotic flora and fauna i.e. Rhododendron (state tree), Manolia and orchids(state flower).
Sikkim is one of the best places for adventure journey in The Indian subcontinent. One of the most famed attraction points includes Mt. Kanchenjunga, Grand Kanchenjunga glacier and excellent Valleys.The trekking paths in Sikkim will not only take a person through the most beautiful portions of this area where you will be able to find abundant green grasslands and deep alpine forests, yet will certainly also give you close to some of the greatest and most amazing monasteries present in the state.
Sikkim is a hotspot of Biodiversity of Flora and Fauna ranging from Tropical to Alpine. Sikkim has 407 varieties of Orchids, 680 types of butterflies and 550 species and sub-species of birds. The rivers have Trout, Salmon and Carp. Animals found in the dense forest of Sikkim: The Dreaded Himalayan Bear, Musk and barking Deer, Snow Leopard, Marbled Cats, Red Panda (state animal), The Blue Sheep etc.
Some of attractions in northern Sikkim are Yumthang, Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary and Kanchenjunga National Park. Kanchenjunga is third largest crest in the world is located in West Sikkim.
Major Cities in Sikkim:-
Gangtok , Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Pelling, Namchi, Pemayangtse, Phodong, Ravangla, Yuksom.
Sikkim has a pleasant climate except during rainy season. The average annual temperature is around 18°C. Best time to visit is between March-May.