Mt.Pandim

                                                                     Mt.Pandim

picture source: Sikkim Darjeeling Tour Trek and Expedition

Mt.Kanchendzonga

Panoramic view of Mt.Kanchendzonga from Tashi View Point,Gangtok,Sikkim.Tashi view point is only 7km from gangtok.Regular taxi on sharing basis can find from childern park to phatak,from there it is only 500 mt.Best time to visit this place is morning.Good cafetaria is also there for you to serve you great coffee with mountain view.

First snowfall

 

First snowfall of this season

Mt. jopuno

                                                                         Mt. Jopuno

picture source:   Sikkim Darjeeling Tour Trek and Expedition

Lachen To Green Lake Trek Route

 

source :  http://www.sikkim.nic.in/sws/poi_nor.htm

sikkim on eclectic times magazine

Nathula Calling

By ET

If you love snow, head for Nathula, Sikkim’s snowy destination! Sitting pretty at a height of 14,200ft, you’ll be charmed by her scenic beauty too!

The Old Silk Route to Nathula happens to be one stretch of the Indo-China border where you will not find anything but tranquility: here Chinese army personnel are huddled together with their Indian counterparts sharing cups of tea. Yes, Nathula’s significance is underlined by the fact that the much-hyped war practices by the Chinese army or Chinese administration are totally absent here; rather you get to view peaceful and serene hillocks and memoirs depicting Indian and Chinese heroics. In order to reach Nathula, one needs to traverse the historic Old Silk Route which connects Lhasa in Tibet, via the Jelep La Pass, to India and onwards to the rest of the world. In the travel circuit, this territory is marked as East Sikkim and has been opened to tourists relatively recently in July, 2006. Most part of the route is forbidden area due to its international boundary with China and is under watchful vigil of the Indian Army.

 The salient part of going to the Nathula Pass is the travel itself. Once you start your journey from Gangtok, it is virtually a journey through heaven. On the way, you can also see Tsongo or Changu Lake; a picturesque place, sitting in solitude on the banks of which, it is enough to uplift and rejuvenate your mood. The mist and snow-cloaked peaks, the zigzag roads, boisterous waterfalls – yes, everything will accompany you on the way! As you get closer to Nathula Pass, the area becomes dotted with Army settlements and you have to leave your vehicle a few hundred meters away from the exact border post. From there you have to climb several steps to reach Nathula Pass. The notice at the entrance warns people to not rush up these steps as, at 14,200 ft, there is less oxygen to breathe; heart patients and people with high blood pressure should think twice before making a trip to Nathula. You will be surprised to see that both Indian and Chinese soldiers greet you, so don’t forget to get a photo clicked with them. If you fancy conversing with the Chinese soldiers, there is a board on which common Chinese phrases and their translations in English are printed. Don’t forget to keep a memoir of your visit to Nathula by purchasing a certificate of your visit by paying a mere 50 bucks, an initiative by the Army Wives’ Association.

Another reason awaiting you to visit Nathula is the Baba Mandir. Built in the memory of Late Harbhajan Singh, a sepoy in the 23rd Punjab Regiment, this temple lies between the Nathula and the Jelep La Pass. According to the legend, Baba Harbhajan Singhji,  as he is known, appeared in a dream of one of his colleagues a few days after he went missing after slipping into the waters while patrolling the border. In the dream, he expressed a desire that a samadhi be built in his memory. So, all the ranks of 23 Punjab decided to build a monument that has, over the years, acquired the status of a pilgrimage centre.

Believers leave a bottle to be collected a week later and then consume it for 21 days, without taking non-veg food; this is used for its healing powers. The belief in Babaji is so real that the food served to him at 5 pm is supposed to be consumed by him wholeheartedly. Another astounding belief is that Babaji is said to go for a vacation during heavy snowfall days, so seats get booked for him in AC 2 tier in Railways and what’s more, a pickup car moves to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to drop and bring him back. Even the Chinese keep a chair for him during their timely meetings with their Indian counterparts. In hindsight, Nathula is a wonderful place to behold nature’s splendour and an opportunity to admire the armed forces who stoically stand without the fear of sun or rain or snow to safeguard their country.

The author is Nodal & Regulatory Head of Idea Cellular Ltd for Assam & NE circles

Backpack to Gangtok

Backpack to Gangtok
If you are planning  to spend your vacation in one of the hill station of India then why not backpack to Gangtok,Sikkim.The nearest railway station  to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri station,Siliguri and the nearest airport is Bagdogra,Siliguri which is 110 km from Gangtok,Sikkim.Taxi from N.J.P to Gangtok is available from N.J.P and the fare is around Rs.150/- and if you are coming by plane then you should catch taxi to Gangtok from S.N.T(Sikkim National Transport),Pradhan Nagar,Siliguri.The tempo fare from Bagdogra to S.N.T,siliguri is Rs.15/- and the taxi fare from Siliguri to Gangtok is Rs.130/- and the bus fare is Rs.75/-.Journey from Siliguri to Gangtok would take approx.3hours and once you  reach Siliguri taxi stand,Gangtok,you would get plenty of taxi to Lal bazaar or Bansilal petrol pump(below M.G Marg) from nearby Siliguri taxi stand.
Accomodation here in gangtok range from luxury to budget and if you are looking for budget hotel then you should look out for hotel   in and around Siliguri stand,Deorali and Tibet road.

Day 1 and 2.
Gear up yourself to explore the beautiful Gangtok city starting with M.G Marg.Here in M.G marg you would find many beautiful restaurent ,some roof top restaurent offering you many American,Continental ,Indian and Native food.M.G Marg is the central point of city and one can witness the sikkimese culture and tradition and blending of eastern western culture and one would love the peaceful environment of M.G Marg.Apart from M.G.Marg, there are many places in Gangtok which can be explore by walking.Some of these places are Deorali Chorten,Namgyal Institute of Tibetology,Rope way ride,Ridge Park,White hall,Enchey Monastery and Lal bazaar.

Day 3:Bakthang falls,Ganjong Monastery,Tashi view point,Ganesh tok and Himalayan zoological park.

Bakthang falls is a beautiful falls which is 2km from gangtok and it is on the way to tashi view point.The best way to visit this  falls is in the morning.Go to childern park ,look for taxi  to phatak on sharing basis which cost you only Rs.20/-and it would take 15 minutes to reach there.There is a cafetaria just beside beautiful falls  and which is the best place to do breakfast .From there catch taxi to phatak(nearby Tashi view point) which cost you Rs.10/-.then you would reach Ganjung manastery ,place where one can find peace and you can see monks chanting mantras.From there, Tashi view point is 5 minute walk .From tashi view point one can see mount kanchenchendzonga and beautiful landscape of north sikkim.
Hire taxi(drop) from tashi view point which may cost you 200/- and head toward Ganesh tok and Himalayan zoological park.From Ganesh  tok,one can get bird eye view of Gangtok.  And from there while returning one can walk down to chandmari town and from there one can get taxi to gangtok on sharing basis.

Day 4.Return to airport /railway station.

south sikkim

Ravangla

Ravangla Mani Lakhang,South-Sikkim

Buddha Park -Ravangla.

Rabangla is a major tourist destination of Sikkim situated in the southern district of Sikkim well connected by road.It is located at an altitude of 7000ft and the  weather of Rabangla is most of the time cold.This place is famous not only among general tourist but among birders and trekkers also.Short trekking to Maenam Hill top is something every trekkers wants to do when they are in Rabangla.The whole trek road comes under Maenam wildlife santuary ,so bird watching  is another thing, nature lover and birders can do.Professional birdwatching  guide can also be available,so no need to worry.Worrying about the pass and charges,everything will be handle by guide but you need to contact local guide.So you must be thinking how to contact local birdwatching guide then i have suggestion for you.There is Homestay dedicated to nature lover and bird lover just 6 km from Rabangla called Kewzing Village by named Bonfarm House.You can book your room there also but i must tell you, most of the rooms are pre-booked,so book early.

          Whenever you visit Rabangla,take some warm clothes.For general tourist who loves to see place and culture,then Buddha Park is something you like it.Entry fee in Buddha Park when i visited there was Rs.50 per person.In the clear day ,one can see whole mountain range covered with snow.Doing breakfast in a cold day by just enjoying the beauty of Majestic mountain range is everybody's dream but this can be happened if you are in Rabangla.Well in my opnion, if you are planning for honeymoon then you must take the option of Ravangla,quite and beautiful close to nature is something which will make your memory last forever.

As seen in the opening day,25th march 2013.Photo source Internet.

DENTAM

Dentam,West Sikkim
This beautiful place is in the western side of sikkim.Just 45 mintues drive from Geyzing,headquater of west district is Dentam .This place is populated with Gurung communities and they are very kind people who always welcome you if you happen to be there.Far away from husle busle modern town one would love the peaceful and easy life of Dentam.This place is welconnected by road and there are many tourist spot ,singsor bridge(2nd highest bridge in Asia),Famous Hee Bermiok and Pelling nearby Dentam .If you want to experience the village life and the organic food then this the place  is where you  should go.One can go to this place either from geyzing or jorethang,south sikkim.Timing for availability of taxi from Geyzing is from 11 am-3pm and from Jorethang  is also from 11am-3pm.Once you reach Dentam bazaar,one can find plenty of  small hotels usually budget hotels for accommodation.
In Dentam, one can experience organic food,do hiking,treking,sightseen ,experience village life,learn rich culture of Gurung communities and their lifestyle.

waterscape

 

 

This falls is on the way to Dentam,nearby pelling,West Sikkim.