Trip Overview

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SIKKIM

Sikkim, a small Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom, in later years became the twenty second state to join India in 1975. It is also on the southern slope of Himalaya and bounded on the north and northeast by Tibet Autonomous region of China, on the south by West Bengal state of India, on the east by Bhutan and on the west by Nepal. One of the highest regions of India, It also traversed by the main range of the Himalayas and by several spur ranges.

It also lies between 27° 04’ 46” and 28° 07’ 48” North of Latitude and between 88° 55’ 25 “and 88° 00’ 58” East of Longitude. It is also entirely mountainous area i.e. 7,096 sq km. Out of this 5,765 Sq km i.e. 81 % area is also forest and out of forest 2091 sq. km also snow covered area. The main rivers are also Teesta and Rangit which originates from the eastern and southern parts of Mt. Khangchendzonga.

        Sikkim also offers diverse cultural activities due to its geographical location and is the centre for many Himalayan languages and cultures from where all can avail facilities and encouragements.

FACTS & FIGURES ABOUT SIKKIM

State Capital –

GANGTOK which is also well connected by daily services of Jeeps, Buses and helicopter services to Bagdogra Airport and other places of this area & neighboring areas by road.

Nearest Airport –

Bagdogra Airport, 124 km, 4-5 hrs drive and is also connected by daily flight services to Delhi, Kolkata, Gauhati, Mumbai, Chennai, etc. Nearest Railway Station – New Jalpaiguri, 123 km, 4-5 hrs which also connect to all parts of India. Sikkim Visit Permit, Trekking & Protected Area Visit Permits Acquiring Places and Procedures for foreign nationals are also mentioned in map section.

Facts - *

Population–540,493 – Census 2001 [(Males-2,88,217 & Females-2,52,276), - North : 41,030 ( Males-23,414 & Females- 17,616 ), West : 1,23,256 ( Males-63,912 & Females-59,344), - South : 1,31,525 (Males-68,241 & Females-63,284) & East : 2,45,040 (Males-1,32,917 & Females-1,12,123) ], * Temperature – Summer : Max 21 C / Min. 13 C & Winter : Max 13 C / Min. 05 C., * Clothing – Summer : Light woolens & Winter : Heavy woolens, * Annual Rainfall – varies between 2200 mm to 5000 mm, * Orchid - 550 species (95 Genera ),           * Rhododendron– 36 Species (45 varieties ), * Bamboo – 20 Species, * Plants- 4000 Species, * Ferns & Allies – 300 Species, * Conifers– 9 Species,* Mammals – 81 Species, * Birds – 550 Species, * Butterflies - 650 Species, * Reptiles 33 Species, * Frogs– 16 Species, * Mountains and Peaks– 28, * Glaciers – 21, * Lakes – 180,  * River & Streams– 104, * Post Office– 210 nos. * State Bird - Blood Pheasant, * State Tree – Dendrobium Nobile, * State Animal-Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), * Lepcha name for Mt. Khangchendzonga: Khongchen Konglo

Important Mountain Ranges - *

Singalila, * Chorten Nyima, * Donkya, * Chola, * Pangola & * Maenam.

Spoken Languages: *

English, * Hindi, * Nepali, * Lepcha, * Bhutia, * Limbu, * Rai, * Gurung, * Tamang,  * Sherpa, * Magar, * Newari, * Sunuwar, * Tibetan, * Marwari, * Bihari, * Bengali, etc.

Festivals –

HINDU: * Dassin, * Tihar, * Saraswati Puja, * Magh Sakranti, * Maha Shivratri, * Holi, * Chaite Dassain or Ramnami, * Raksha Bandhan, * Janamastami, * Vishwa Karma Puja, * Rangey Mela, * Sakewa, etc ; BUDHIST: * Saga Dawa, * Drukpa Tseshi, * Guru Rinpoche’s Trungkar Tsechu, * Pang Lhabsol, * Lhabab Dhuechen, * Losoong, * Lossar, * Bumchu, * Tamu Lochhar, * Sonam Lochar, * Kagyad Dance, etc. CHRISTIAN: * Good Friday, * Easter,  * Christmas, * New Year, etc.  LEPCHA: * Tendong Lho Rum Faat, * Namsoong, etc. Tourism Festivals & Event: * Gangtok Flower Festival, * Winter Tourism Festival, * Namchi Flower Festival, * Namchi Maha Utsav, * Kalez Valley Heritage Festival, * Khangchendzonga Mountain Biking Championship, * Ravangla Tourism Festival, *

Sacred Peaks- *

Ghanchhen-m Zod-Nga [(Khangchendzonga) i. Khangchendzonga-Main, ii. Khangchendzonga-South & iii. Khangchendzonga - West], * Mt. Narsing, * Gabur Gangtsen (i. Kabru-North, ii. Kabru-South & iii. Kabru–Dome), * Mt Pandim, * Mt. Simvo, * Goecha Peak, * Fork Peak, * Pao Hungri   (Pauhungri) & * Mt.Siniolchu.

Sacred Lakes - *

Omechho (Omai-tsho)-West, * Sungmteng Chho (Tsho)–West , * Lamchho–West, * Tolechho (Dole–Tsho)-West Sikkim, * Kabur Lamchho (Gabur Lah-Tsho)-West Sikkim, * Khachoedpalri Pemachen Tsho (Khachoedpalri Lake)-West, * Kathongtsho at Yuksam-West Sikkim,  * Tsho-mGo Lake-East Sikkim, * Guru Domgmar Lake-North Sikkim & * Mulathingkhai Tsho (Green Lake) at Zemu Clacier-North Sikkim.

Important Glaciers - *

Zemu Glacier -359,85 Sq.km (North), * Talung Glacier 145.90 Sq. km (West–North), * North & South Lhonak Glaciers (North), * Changsang Glacier (North), *  Teesta Khangsa Glacier (North),  * Khangpup Khangsa (North), Zumthul Phuk Glacier (North),* Langbu Glacier (North),* Hidden Glacier(North), * Rathong Glacier-58.44 Sq km (West), etc.

Sacred Caves - *

Sharchhogbayphuk at Sangmo-South Sikkim, * Khadosangphuk at Sanganath-South, * Dechenphuk above Nambu - West Sikkim, * Lharinyingphuk, Kongro-Labdang-West Sikkim, * Phagmorong, West & * Tragtungrong, - West Sikkim.

Sacred Rocks - *

Yongzokdrak–West Sikkim, * Tragkar Rock, Tashiding–West Sikkim, * Gyalwa Lhatshun Chhenpo’s Footprint at Yuksam, * Coronation Throne at Yuksam, * Thegchhok Yangtse Khadoi Drora Rock–West Sikkim, * Guru Rinpoche’s Footprint Naydo at Chungthang–North Sikkim and * Kabi- longtsok stone Naydo at Kabi – North Sikkim.

Sacred Hot Springs - *

Phur Tshachhu at Khadosangphuk-South-West Sikkim, * Ralong Tshachhu at Borong–South Sikkim, * Gangyap Chhutshen– West Sikkim, * Takrum Tshachhu – North Sikkim, * Yumesamdong Tshachhu –North Sikkim, * Zee Tshachhu–North Sikkim, * Shagyong Phedok Tshachhu–North Sikkim and * Thulong Kang Tshachhu at Dzongu–North Sikkim.

Sacred Choedtens (Chorten/Stupa) *

Norbugang Chhoedten Tashi Hodber at Yuksam–built by Naljor, * Chhoedten Thongwa Rangdrol at Tashiding–built by Gyalwa Phatsun Chhenpo, * Khacheodpalri Bheyul Chhoedten–a replica of Nepal’s Boudanath Stupa, * Dhud-Tsen-Lu-Sum Chhoedten at Rabdentse–West Sikkim, * Gyalshing Mendang–built by Kyabgon Jigme Pao to avert famine–West Sikkim and * Mendang at Singhek, Tashiding-West Sikkim.

National Parks, Wildlife / Birds Sanctuaries & Conservation Zones -

* Khangchendzonga National Park-1784 Sq. km, * Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary- 34.35 Sq. km, * Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary-51.76 Sq.km, * Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary- 31 Sq km, * Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary- 43 Sq.km, * Barsay Rhododendron Sanctuary-104. sq. km, * Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary-128 Sq. km, * Kitam Birds Sanctuary, * Himalayan Zoological Park at Bulbuley- 205 Sq.Hectere (East), *Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation Zone-55 Sq.Km within KNP (North-West), * Areylungtshok Musk Deer Conservation Zone- 27 Sq.km within KNP (West), * Lampokhari Medicinal Plants Conservation Zone-15 sq. km-within KNP (West), * Singalila Eco-Tourism Promotion Zone (West), * Birds Watching Centre at Rabdentse (West  * Birds watching Centre at Khachoedpalri (West), * Birds Watching Centre at Rinchenpong (West).

History:

Sikkim was also a separate kingdom until 1975 when it became a part of India after a referendum. Prior to that, it had a monarchy. The merger with India has also brought about significant changes in the state's governance and infrastructure.

Forest Department was also constituted in the year 1893 during the reign of Maharaja Thutob Namgyal. The Department was also reorganized during 1956 and was placed under Conservator of Forest.

This is also for general information that if any action found offensive as per Notification

No: 887/FEWMD Dated :10^th Feb,2006 of its Wildlife ( Regulation of Trekking ) Rules – 2005,

Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim shall be punishable as per the Law.

Trip Highlights

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