About Sikkim

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. It shares its borders with Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and west Bengal. In the Hindu religious texts Sikkis has been called 'Indrakil' or garden of Indra, the king-god of heaven. Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim.The official languages of the state are Nepali, Lepcha Bhutia, Limbu and English.The main religions folowed in Sikkim are Hinduism and Buddhism. The mighty Kangchenjunga, the world's third highest peak overlooks the beautiful Sikkim. The magnificent mountains, lush green vegetation and beautiful rivers make Sikkim a popular tourist destination. You will be amazed at its rich flora and fauna. Species of birds are found in abundance here. The history of Sikkim can be traced back to the 8th century when a buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche came to this land.He introduced Buddhisn to Sikkim.

Cuisine:

Every generation and traditions in Sikkim contributed a great deal to its cuisine culture. The traditional food of the state is gaining popularity at a fast pace. The main food are rice, meat, dairy products, fermented food and beverages. 'Chang' is an important drink of Sikkimese which is made from fermented millet.It is served in a bamboo container with a bamboo pipe.

How To Reach:

Air: The nearest airport is Bagdora in north Bengal, 124 km from Sikkim.It connects Sikkim with the major cities of India.
Rail: The nearby railway stations are Siliguri(144 km) and New Jalpaiguri(125 km). It connects Sikkim to Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and other main cities of the country.
Road: Sikkim is well connected to all its cities and cities around it by road.

Shopping:

Go on a shopping spree in the Gangtok city of Sikkim. It is lined with shops selling a wide variety of arts and crafts. You can buy the famous paintings called 'Thangkas' which are made on cotton canvas and framed with silk. Other handicrafts are wood crafts, especially Choksee table; woollen carpets and blankets, jewellery, tea, cardamom and much more.

Accommodation:

Several accommodation options are available in Gangtok and other places offering great hospitality. Some of the known hotels are the Tashi Delek hotel, Norkhill Heritage hotel, Himalayan Height hotel, Chumbi Residency, Dho-Tapu Guest House and Hidden Forest Retreat.

Climate:

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.