Small but beautiful Sikkim situated in eastern Himalayas spread below Mt Khanchendzonga (8534 mts)3rd highest mountain in world&revered by Sikkimese as protective deity area of 7,300 sq kms & (114 kms north-south&64 kms from east-west, elevation ranges300 mts-over 8540 mts above sea level amidst grandeur of mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers, hills, Sikkim offers her visitors a rare&singular experience. Within a matter of hours one can move from sub tropical heat of lower valleys-cold of rugged mountain slopes that reach up to area of perpetual snow. THE LAND OF MYSTIC SPLENDOUR, Flora & Fauna : cause of altitude vary (sea-summits)naturally covers a wide spectrum Tropical-Alpines's awe- inspiring, boast4000 species of plants&30% of all birds found in Indian sub-continent. Plants : lowlands in south 800-5000'tropical climate; lush vegetation (figs, laurel, Sal trees & bamboos) temperate forest of oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia&silver fir dominates between 5000-13000. Above 13000 alpine zone where juniper, cypresses&rhododendrons grow perpetual snowline lies at 16000'. Luxuriant forests cover 36% of land, more than 4000 species of plant have been recorded in Sikkim. Over 600 species of orchids grow in Sikkim, Epiphytal & terresterial types, in tropical&temperate zones. 35 species rhododendrons grow in temperate&alpine regions (flowering May-Aug colours hillsides. Animals : mammals of Sikkim are rare Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red panda, Musk Deer&Blue Sheep. Birdlife's abundant with Giant Lammergeier, Vultures, Eagles, Whistling Thursh, Minivets, Bulbuls&Pheasants among the 550 species to be seen in Sikkim.|

SIKKIM - AN ADVENTURE ODYSSEY, PERFECT DESTINATION FOR VACATIONERS IN QUEST OF ENCHANTMENT, TRANQUILLITY /ADVENTURE JEWEL EMBEDDED IN SNOW CLAD MOUNTAINS, SIKKIM's PRIMEVAL LAND's UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE WHERE ONE DREAMY DAY BLENDS INTO NEXT A LAND SO RICH IN CULTURE, TRADITION& STEEPED IN RELIGION .CAN WANDER UP LUSH GREEN MOUNTAIN TRAILS, IN VERY FOOTSTEPS OF THOSE EARLY TRAVELLERS. MARVEL AT STUPAS, MONASTERIES/TEMPLES. ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH A CULTURE THAT IS AT ONCE BIZARRE&FASCINATING. WITH ITS ENDLESS INTRIGUING RITUALS&FESTIVALS/FESTIVITIES. A HOLIDAY THAT's MORE THAN A DREAM - A VOYAGE OF ADVENTURE& DISCOVERY.

MOUNTAINEERING IN SIKKIM Trekkers hut along trek routes Pemayangtse, Khechopalri, Yuksum, Tsokha, Dzongri, Thangshing, Zemathang, Chaurigang, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang & Sikip.

MONASTIC TREK March - May / Oct - Dec:Pemayangtse - Sangacholing - Khecheopalri - Dubdi - Sinon - Tashiding - Ralang .

RHODODENDRON TREK March - May:Naya bazar - Hilley / Soreng - Varsey - Dentam - Pemayangtse .

KHANGCHENDZONGA Mid March - mid June/Oct-DEc:Yuksum - Bakhim - Tsokha - Dzongri - Thanghing / Bikbari - Zemathang / Chaurigang - Goecha la / Rathong glacier&back .

CORONATION TREK OCT-DEC :Rumtek - Sang - Yangang - Rabongla - Tashiding - Yuksum .

RIVER RAFTING enthusiasts haveTeesta&Rangit.Teesta experience takes you rafting from Makha-Sirwani&Sirwani to Rangpo.Rangit expedition Sikip-Nayabazar-Melli.

Teesta Experience:Makha - Sirwani - Bardang - Rongpo
Rangeet Experience :Sikip - Jorethang - Majitar - Melli
Kayaking's undertaken onTeesta&'s arranged for special groups. Some experience in kayaking'srequired. Kayaks are available.

YAK SAFARI:safari with a difference's organized from Dzongri onwards on prior booking,unforgettable experience.

MOUNTAIN BIKING's recently introduced in Sikkim roads in Sikkim are negotiable by mountainbikes promoted in most parts of North Sikkim & West Sikkim
Communities, Cultures, Religions&Customs of different hues intermingle freely in Sikkim to constitute a homogeneous blend predominant communities are LEPCHAS, BHUTIAS& NEPALESE hv 200 monasteries/Gompas belong Nyingma&Kagyu order have not only been influencing cultural heritage &lifestyle of people, but also demonstrates ancient rituals in practice devoted Lamas robed in red, chant ancient mantras to rhythm of drums&trumpets while soft lights flicker from decorative lamps placed before statues of Padmasambhava feel peace& quiet of being one with nature&close to almighty as sacred words mingle with whirring prayer wheels gompas are adorned with life-like frescoes of hoary Buddhist legends, rare silk& and brocade Thangkas are ancient Tibetan manuscripts, exquisitely carved wood work&icons of silver&gold.PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY's situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing (140 kms. from Gangtok)impressive view of Mount khanchendzonga belongs Nyingma order &all other Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it.RUMTEK MONASTERY 24 Kms. from Gangtok drive through beautiful countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra centre built in 1960'S by his holiness GYALWA KARMAPA when he took refuge in Sikkim after Chinese attack houses some of worlds most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts & icons.ENCHEY MONASTERY's situated in Gangtok on a hill top built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal PHENSANG MONASTERY built in 1721 of Jigme Pawo. In 1947 it was completely gutted by a devastating fire. However it was rebuilt in 1948. It is present in North Sikkim. PHODANG MONASTERY's North Sikkim 28 kms. from Gangtok original monastery's rebuilt &'s today one of most beautiful monasteries in Sikkim.TASHIDING MONASTERY belonging toNyingmapa order &'s 40 Kms from Gyalshing by road via Legship (West Sikkim lies nestled on top of a hill that looms up between Rathong river &Rangit river's surrounded by a profusion of Prayer flags that flutter in air.SANGA CHELLING MONASTERY' island of esoteric teaching'was built in 1697&'s situated about 7 kms. from Pemayangste said to be oldest monastery in Sikkim DUBDI MONASTERY 'retreat' & built in 1700 located near Yuksum on a hill top. One has to travel by foot to reach it. KHECHOPARI MONASTEREY 's located just above famous near Yukusm.MELLI MONASTERY 'a lepcha village' located near Yuksum.SINON MONASTERY 'suppressor of intense fear' was built in 1716& located about 10 kms. from Tashiding on a hill top.

DALLING MONASTERY 'thunderbolt' was built in 1840&'s situated near kwezing in .

YANGYANG MONASTERY'ridge of fortune' was built in 1840 &'s situated at a place called Yangyang 10 kms. downhill from Rabongla.

NAMCHI MONASTERY located in Namchi(district headquarters of south district)& 's constructed during reign of Chogyal Gurmed Namgyal.

KWEZING MONASTERY located near Kwezing in South Sikkim built during reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal.

SIMIK MONASTERYsituated in near Singtam town built during reign of Chogyal Tsudphud Namgyal.

HEE GYATHANG MONASTERYlocated in& follows Nyingma sect of Buddhism.

LINGTEM MONASTERY located in Zongu area of North Sikkim.

CHAWANG ANI MONASTERY located near Phensang which is on highway between Gangtok&Mangan built during reign of Chogyal Tshudphud Namgyal .

RHENOCK MONASTERY located 63 kms. from Gangtok.

KHATOK MONASTERY located in East Sikkim Pakyong built during reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal.

BERMOIK MONASTERY constructed in 1952 &follows Nyingma sect of Buddhism situated in South Sikkim above Singtam.

LACHEN MONASTERY North Sikkim built in 1806&follows Nyingma sec of Buddhism.

LACHUNG MONASTERY North Sikkim built in Sikkim 1880 & Nyingma sect of Buddhism.

SANG MONASTERY situated near Rumtek built in 1912.

RALONG MONASTERY situated near Rabongla in South Sikkim.
MONASTIC SPLENDOUR TOUR : Suggested Tour Itinera r :DAY
NewJalpaigurh /Bagdora/ Gangtok.
Gangtok/Tsomgo & back.
Enchey-Rumtek & back.
Phodong - Labrang & back.
Leisure rest/shopping
Gangtok-Tashiding.
Tashiding-Pemayangtse.
Pemayangtse Day at rest
Pemayantse-NewJalpaigurhi/Bagdora/or Darjeeling/Kalimpong.

INFORMATION OF FOREIGN TOURIST INTEREST: view to promote tourism in Sikkim, restrictions on entry for foreigners into restricted areas of Sikkim have been relaxed. visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodong, Pemayangtse&Yuksom -Zongri trekking route on basis of restricted area permits which can be obtained from any one of ollowing offices: *All Indian missions and posts abroad. *F.F.R.O s Delhi/Bombay/Calcutta&C.T.O. Madras. *Immigrations officers at airports Bombay/Calcutta/Madras/New Delhi. *Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok. *Home Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok. *Inspector General of Police, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok. *Asst Director (Tourism),Government of Sikkim, Siliguri. *Deputy Director (Tourism), Government of Sikkim, New Delhi. *Resident Commissioner, Government of Sikkim, New Sikkim House, 14 Panchseel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. *Asst. Resident Commissioner, Government of Sikkim, 4c, Poonam, 5, Russel Street, Calcutta. *Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling. * Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Government of West Bengal, Calcutta

After obtaining restricted area permit foreign tourists(individual/groups) visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodong&Pemayangtse for 15 days visiting Pemayangtse, Zongri, Changu& Yumthang valley rules are slightly tight. Organized foreign tourist groups 4 sponsored by recognized Indian travel agency'll be issued permits 15 days trekking in Zongri area West Sikkim. Permits for visiting Zongri'll issued only by representatives of Sikkim government,New Delhi. Foreigners should follow following routes for Zongri:Pemayangtse - Yoksum - Zongri Rangpo - Gangtok - Yoksum - Zongri return journey can be performed by either of above routes groups would be accompanied by a liaison officer provided by government of Sikkim visiting Changu lake&Yumthang valley foreigners have to be in a group 4/more Areas other than those mentioned above can also be visited, for which a special permit, which is relatively difficult to get, has to be obtained from ministry of home affairs, New Delhi.