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About Bhutan |
A paradise of natural beauty, Sikkim lies nestled – and
almost hidden – between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and
Darjeeling in the Eastern Himalayas. This small but
beautiful land is dominated by Mount Kanchenjunga, the
third highest mountain in the world. Religion forms an
integral part of the daily lives of the Sikkimese, and
Kanchenjunga is revered as their protective deity. With
200 Buddhist monasteries dotted across the tiny land,
the influence of Buddhism is everywhere. Even in the
remotest hamlet, the fluttering of prayer flags are a
constant reminder of the teachings of Lord Buddha. Until
1975, Sikkim was an independent kingdom ruled by
Chogyals (kings). The history of Sikkim's Chogyals dates
back to the sixteenth century, when the first Chogyal
was consecrated by three holy men at Yoksom, in West
Sikkim. In 1975, following a popular movement to abolish
the monarchy, Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian
Union.
Sikkim's botanical and geological affluence is truly
impressive. The variety of birds and butterflies in
Sikkim is matched only by incredible diversity in the
animal and botanical world, nourished by unique dramatic
geographical features. The lower altitudes are
sub-tropical and abound in some of Sikkim's more than
600 hundred Orchid varieties, sprays of Cardamom, fruits
orchards and terraced rice paddies. To the Lepchas -
this was "Nye Mae-El" (Paradise), and to the Bhutias it
is , "Beymul Denzong" (The Hidden Valley of Rice).
Sikkim is commonly attributed to the Tsong word "Sukhim"
meaning (New or Happy Home).
Various explorers and mountaineers have claimed to have
seen YETI or its foot prints in the vicinity of the
mountain and its glacier, - "The Abominable Snowman" has
its place in folklore. The best known peaks are Pauhnuri
(7125m) , Pandim (6691 m), Talung (7349m), Tent Peak
(7365 m), Jongsang (7459 m), Rathong (6679 m), Koktang
(6147m) and Sinioulchu (6887m) regarded by the
mountaineers as the most beautiful peak in the World.
In such a small area, nowhere in the world one can find
flora and fauna of all varieties - tropical to the
alpines. Sikkim's botanical and zoological richness is
awe-inspiring, boasting of more than 4,000 species of
plants and 30% of all the birds found in the Indian
sub-continent. Which could be truly a naturalist's
delight. The hillsides and mountain slopes of Sikkim are
strewn with bright patches of myriad colours. The lower
mountain slopes are abundant with many species of lush
green bamboos and ferns. And the northern valleys are
draped with wild cherry, oaks, chestnuts, pines and
white magnolia. Higher altitudes are abloom with a
carpet of many species (varieties) of rhododendrons with
a splendor of their own. Sikkim's 600 varieties of
orchids are a feast for the eye.
Sikkim offers her visitors a rare and singular
experience. Within a matter of hour one can move from
its sub-tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold
of the rigged mountains slopes that reach up to the
areas of perpetual snow.
Long a restricted area, Sikkim now welcomes a few
visitors from around the world to share its rich
heritage and natural bounty.
Gangtok (Capital City of Sikkim) : Altitude 5,800ft /
1769m.
Area : 7,300 sq.km
Population : 406,000.
People : Nepalis (75%), Lepchas (20%), and smaller
proportions of Bhutias and Limbus.
Language : Hindi is the official language, with English
as the working language of the government; Nepali,
Lepcha, Bhutia and Limbu are also spoken.
Religion : Hinduism, Buddhism. The people have faith in
the Buddha, the dharma (Buddhas teachings), and the
sangha (assembly of monks).
Economy : The economy of Sikkim is basically farming.
Maize, rice, wheat, potato, large cardamom, ginger and
orange are the principal crops. Ginger, potato, orange
and off season vegetables are the other cash crops.
Sikkim is one of the world's main producers of cardamom.
Sikkim having an average type temperature due to its
extreme altitude, there is an immense variation in
climate and vegetation.
Climate : Gangtok Registers an average of 325cm of rain /
annum. Where as Muguthang in the extreme North
experience 60cm of rain Per Annum.
Summer Temperature: Max. 20.7° Celsius. / Min. 13.1°
Celsius.
Winter Temperature: Max. 12.5° Celsius. / Min. 7.7°
Celsius.
Best Season: March - May & October - Mid December.
Clothing Required: Light clothing During Summers & Heavy
wollens during winters.
Getting There and Away :
Air: Bagdogra Airport is 125 Km from Sikkims capita,
Gangtok. There are several flights by Indian Airlines to
Bagdogra from Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati.
Rail: Siliguri (114 Km), New Jalpaiguri (125 Km) are the
railheads nearest to Gangtok. NJP is well connected with
Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati and other major city of India.
Road: Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) runs special
snow lion bus services from Bagdogra to Gangtok (124 Km)
Private taxis and busses also operate from Bagdogra,
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, to Gangtok. The SNT at Siliguri
has a number of cars, Lusury coaches and jeeps for hire
to Gangtok.
Entry Formalities : Foreigners can now visit Gangtok,
Rumtek, Phodang, Pemayangtse and the Yuksom- Dzongri
Trek on the basis of restricted area permits which can
be obtained from any one of the following offices :
1. Deputy Director,
Sikkim Tourism, 14 Panchsheel Marg,
Chanakyapuri,New Delhi-110021.
2. Assitant Director,
Sikkim Tourism, S.N.T. Colony,
Pradhan Nagar, Siliguri.
3. Assitant Resident Commissioner,
Government of Sikkim, 4C-Poonam,
5/2 Russel Street, kolkatta - 17.
4. All India Missions and Posts abroad.
5. F.F.R.O. offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta & C.T.O,
Chennai.
6. Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai.
7. Immigration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta &
Chennai Airports.
8. Chief Secretary,
Government of Sikkim, Gangtok.
9. Home Secretary,
Government of Sikkim, Gangtok.
10. Inspector General of Police,
Government of Sikkim, Gangtok.
11. Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling.
12. Deputy Secretary, Home Department,
Government of West Bengal, Kolkatta.
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Picture of Sikkim |
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Current Tourism News |
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Nepal trekking /
travel related business was booming until 1999. After that, the
incessant conflict scared off tourists from visiting
Nepal and we are feeling the pinch of the fall in
tourist arrivals. There was a time when we recorded such
a huge flow of tourists that we used to turn back some.
As a professional Nepal tour operator we did not have sufficient
staff and equipment to handle all of them...
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