Sikkim Travel Guide
Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas. It is the second smallest state in India.Sikkim is famous for Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), the third highest mountain in the world. Sikkim is an orchid lover paradise. Sikkim is in the lap of the Himalayas, sandwiched between Nepal Bhutan and Tibet lies a small strech of rugged land just 40 miles by 70 miles, the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim - now a state of India. Sikkim provides a wide potential in tourism that has yet largely remained unexploited. The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, lies at an altitude 1600 meters. It occupies the West side of a long ridge flanking the Ranipool River. Sikkim is the second smallest state in India, only 112km long and 65km wide. It is home to over 600 species of orchids.
Sikkim offers several treks that lead through pine forests, through picturesque valleys, monasteries and to mountain lakes. It is also the base for mountaineering expeditions and the rivers Teesta and Rangeet offer excellent river rafting. Prior permission must be sought from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, by all foreigners wishing to visit Sikkim – though travel formalities are being relaxed gradually.
Cold Winters in the month of November to February with minimum temperatures dipping to 4 centigrade during January - February. It is between the month of March and early May when sunshine is quite abundant. Though summer is officially from May to October, Sikkim is almost always wet due to the heavy monsoons, with rains at times continuing for days on ends. Longest recorded nonstop rain is 11 days. September to October is Autumn.
Fair and festivals of sikkim: Saga Dawa , Lhabab Dhuechen, Drukpa Tsheshi, PhangLhabsol,Losoong,Losar, Bumch, Tshechu, Kalchakra Puja Dasain/ Dusshera, Tihar/ Diwali , Saraswati Puja, Maghe Sakranti, Janmastami, Vishwa Karma Puja, Holi, Ramnavami, Namsoong, Sakewa,Bhanu Jayti, Tendong-Lho-Rum-Faat, Teyongsi Srijunga Sawan Tognam, Christmas, Tamu Lochar, Nyempa Guzom.
The main markets for shopping are Old market, New Market and Lal market. Here one finds shops of all kind which offer good range of items to be purchased. For a tourist there are many attractive items to be bought as carved furniture, the dresses, Lepcha weave bags, Carpets & Durries with intricate designs and colourful decorations. One can also buy wooden and bamboo artifacts. A wide variety of handicrafts is available for the tourist to take back as souvenirs, showpieces and even items of daily use in the Government Institute of cottage Industry and the many curio shops in Gangtok.
Attractions: Do Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Orchid Sanctuary, Tashi Ling, Namgyal Institute, Tsuk la Khang, Weekend Trips/Excursions, Rumtek Monastery, Phodong Monastery, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary,Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary,Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
Acess: Nearest Airport is Bagdogra (124 kms). Fare:- Calcutta-Bagdogra Rs.1025. The nearest railway stations are Siliguri 114 kms, New Jalpaiguri (NJP) 125 kms. Good motorable roads connect Gangtok with Siliguri 114 kms, Calcutta 725 kms, Darjeeling 139 kms and Guwahati 589 kms. Regular bus services connect Gangtok with Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Calcutta. Fare:- Calcutta-Gangtok Rs.160. Conducted Tour: The following tours are run by the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Sikkim, starting from the tourist Information Centre, Mahatma Gandhi Road, only during the season.
India Travel Guides
Jammu and kashmir : Krimchi
KRIMCHI: Krimchi, site of three of the old¬est temples of Jammu, can be reached by taking a short detour of about 20 km along a side road that branches off from the National Highway 1 -A, about 8 km short of Udhampur.
Entertainment in Shimla
Entertainment in Shimla Indoor Games: Indira Gandhi State Sports Complex, opposite The Lifts, The Mall, offers facilities for a number of indoor games and fully equipped health centre/gymnasium. This facility is also open to visitors/tourists on hourly fee basis. Following games/facilities are represented: • Fitness Centre • Badminton • Boxing
Jammu and Kashmir : Nubra Valley
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Shopping : Kullu
Shopping : Kullu Shawls, tweeds, rugs, footwear, basi almond/olive oil and caps.
Uttar Pradesh : Bahratpur
Bahratpur An erstwhile princely, Bharatpur is also often called the 'Eastern Gateway of Rajasthan1. its forrt, renowned as Lohagarh (Iron Fort) for its interesting fortifications, was once considered invincible. However, the city drew more of its fame from the royal hunting grounds that have now been turned into a national park.
PATNITOP
PATNITOP compared to the other tourist spots in the state, Patnitop is no less beautiful or serene. If one is aiming to get away from it all for some time, this place is hard to beat. With all the beauty of a hill station, it is a charming plateau at 1,950m. The
Ajmer : Rajasthan
Ajmer : Rajasthan STD Code: 0145 Nestling in the folds of the Aravalis and situated practically in the centre of Rajasthan is the sleepy town of Ajmer located picturesequely along the shore of the Anasagar Lake. South-west of Jaipur, Ajmer is a major religious centre for both Muslims as well as Hindus,
Jabalpur: Madhya Pradesh
Jabalpur The British took over Jabalpur in 1817 and their imprint is visible in the spacious cantonment, colonial-style residences and barracks. Today, the city is an important administrative commercial centre. Provincial Jabalpur is celebrated for the ‘marble rocks’ that rise like cliffs from the river Narmada that flows through the city.
Boat Trip On The Backwaters: Lakshadweep
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Jabalpur:BY ROAD
Jabalpur:BY ROAD On the T-junction of National High¬way 10, it is connected to major centres within the region. Some road distances are Gwalior (486 km), Khajuraho (257 km), Orchha (399 km), Indore (480 km) and Ujjain (482 km). INFORMATION OFFICES M.P. Tourism Information Office, Railway Station
