I’ve been in Sikkim before, but this time something different happened to me. Possibly, this time I was experiencing this place through my camera.
Hey, this is Supriya, I’m sharing my experience of Sikkim. My first footstep in the North-East region of India was through Sikkim. When I planned for this trip, it was on my mind that I’m going to do something different from usual, I’m going to cover the offbeat places of Paradise! So I chalked out my itinerary and discussed it with some of my friends, they showed up interest, then here we go!!!
The most nearby railway/airport is NJP (New Jalpaiguri)/Bagdogra or Pakyong. We took a train🚆 from Shealdah, Kolkata to NJP, which took around 12 hours to reach there. Then we took a car🚗 on rental to reach our first destination. It takes about a half-day to reach any destination of Sikkim.
Hey, this is Supriya, I’m sharing my experience of Sikkim. My first footstep in the North-East region of India was through Sikkim. When I planned for this trip, it was on my mind that I’m going to do something different from usual, I’m going to cover the offbeat places of Paradise! So I chalked out my itinerary and discussed it with some of my friends, they showed up interest, then here we go!!!
The most nearby railway/airport is NJP (New Jalpaiguri)/Bagdogra or Pakyong. We took a train🚆 from Shealdah, Kolkata to NJP, which took around 12 hours to reach there. Then we took a car🚗 on rental to reach our first destination. It takes about a half-day to reach any destination of Sikkim.
Day1-PELLING!
Our first destination was PELLING! Pelling is located in the West zone of Sikkim, approx. 5 hour to 5 hours 30 mins by road. So we arrived there by 5 pm approx. and after checking in to our hotel room, we were the witness of the beauty that mother nature has gifted us. We were blessed that we got a clearer vision of the majestic Sleeping Buddha from our hotel veranda. If you want this same magnificent view of sleeping Buddha, stay at Hotel The Naamsaaling Residency.
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| Sleeping Buddha Kanchenjunga |
Without wasting more
time, we jumped out of our happiness, got out to hike towards the famous
Helipad. The helipad is about 10 minutes walking distance from upper Pelling, via
Pelling Football Ground. It was somewhat dark outside, and we had the astounding sunset
view from the helipad. We were so exhausted but our excitement gave us so energy to
be the witness of this beautiful sunset over the mountains.
Day2- Pelling Sightseeing!
Next morning one of my friends woke me up and made me see the
wonderful sunrise view from Kanchenjunga peak through our window. Trust me guys
it was unbelievable, the real beauty! I gazed to this sight of Kanchenjunga
hill. I’ve never ever seen anything like this before. Here it is!
Then we went to our whole day sightseeing as per itinerary!
- Rimbi Waterfalls:
This majestic waterfall is worth watching. You can get close to the
waterfall and enjoy clicking amazing pictures of it or selfies with it.
- Rimbi-Orange River Garden:
Then we went to our next location, the popular Orange garden along
with the Rimbi River. We spent a lot of time over there. This place helps to
rejuvenate yourself with the fragrance of various mountain flowers and little
orangey smell of the garden. Of course, if you visit this place in season then
you’ll get to see the oranges hanging in trees. You can have an exhaling view of Rimbi
River. You need to buy a ticket to enter the garden (Rs.10 per person).
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| Rimbi Orange River Garden |
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| Rimbi Rock Garden |
- Khecheopalri Lake:
We headed out to hit our next place, which was Khecheopalri or Kha-Chot-Palri as locally known. This holy lake is
known as Buddhist as well as Hindu pilgrim. The lake is surrounded by huge
forest and uncountable fishes in it. This lake is an ideal place of adventure lovers, as this place has a viewpoint, which is called Khecheopalri View Point and people have to trek to reach that point. The viewpoint is
around 700-800 meters up trekking distance from the lake, and your foot is the only option you will left! 😉 After all the hovering, we finally reached our targeted viewpoint, I was stunned with its majestic view from the top. You
can see the whole lake from the top. And please do try the Egg Maggi and Chai
from the stall on the viewpoint, it was awesome! | |
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- Kanchenjunga
Falls:
Another waterfall was waiting to welcome us with its mesmerizing scene. We were
drifted away by its beauty. It was so cold there and we have gone all wet by its
stream water, and it was so freezing that I wasn’t able to hold my camera on my
own. 😰Many people fooled themselves by the roadside waterfall, thinking it to be Kanchenjunga waterfall. But the actual waterfall is in the upstairs and you need to purchase a ticket (Rs.20 per person) to visit that.
- Pemayangtse Monastery:
Our last visit of the day was Pemayangtse Monastery. This old Buddhist monastery
was popular for its calm ambiance. When I reached there, I noticed some of the young children’s/lamas were making something with one kind of flower petals for
their biggest Buddhist festival, it was the festival time there. I’m not so
religious person, but I would suggest you to visit the monastery.  |
| Pemayangtse Monastery |
Day3- Pelling to Ravangla via YUKSOM!
In our 3rd day, we all were going to be amazed by the beautiful scenario of YUKSOM. Checked out from our hotel in the early morning and we were on our way to RAVANGLA via. Yuksom.
YUKSOM was the first capital of Sikkim and I wonder why not still? God! This place is just amazing and so peaceful that one can spend a full day there doing nothing. Yuksom is the gateway to meet Kanchenjunga. Some trekkers select Yuksom as their starting point to Kanchenjunga.
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| Yuksom |
- Karthog
Lake :
The lake, named ‘Karthog’ is also a holy lake, full of
fishes in it. The place was so calm and peaceful, the light cold breeze moving
around, comfy atmosphere with the sound of those fishes playing in the water. We
carried some food for the fishes, and trust me you will enjoy feeding them for
like hours.
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| Karthog Lake |
- Dubdi
Monastery:
Dubdi Monastery, also known
as ‘Yuksom Monastery’, is about 3 km away from Yuksom. We had our car with us, our
driver drove us approx. 2.7 km and the road was very craggy and dangerous also. Then
we walked in the steep road roughly 350-380 meters on our own to reach the monastery. The roads
are for trekking purposes only.
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| Walking Path Towards Dubdi Monastery. Thrilling, right? |
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| Dubdi Monastery |
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| Dubdi Monastery |
We reached our resort in Ravangla by the evening. We stayed at The Himalayan Resort, and definitely suggest you to stay here.
Day4- Ravangla Sightseeing
Ravangla or Ravongla, the small town of South Sikkim recently grabbing the attention of tourists. This small place is full of stunning beauties. We were on our target to explore all of them!
Ravangla or Ravongla, the small town of South Sikkim recently grabbing the attention of tourists. This small place is full of stunning beauties. We were on our target to explore all of them!
- Buddha
Park:
‘Buddha Park of Ravangla’ is very well known among
people, also known as ‘Tathagata Tsal’. The giant Buddha statue has a remarkable
beauty to catch the tourist's eyes. The 130 ft Buddha statue is the centerpiece of
the park with a Gompa itself.
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| Buddha Park Of Ravangla |
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| Giant Buddha Statue |
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| Buddha Park |
- Borong
Handmade Paper Factory:
We got a chance to see some cool handmade kinds of stuff in the handmade paper factory of Borong, Ravangla, though it was out of our itinerary. Well, traveling is all about unplanned exploration!😎
- Borong
Monastery:
This monastery is upwards 5 Min's distance from the paper
factory. This is also a nice place to visit and click amazing pictures. Lots of
eye-catchy blossoms tree on both sides of the road towards Borong Monastery.
You can have a large scenario of hills from there.
- Titanic
Viewpoint, Ralong Namlung:
This is one of the best places I’ve ever explored. I
can’t explain more, rather give you some glimpse of this spot. Here you go 😌:
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| Towards Titanic View Point |
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Mesmerizing, isn't it? |
- Ralang
Monastery:
The last spot of the day was Ralang or Ralong
Monastery. The monastery when I visited, was under construction and I got to
see the old version of Ralang Monastery.
Day5-
Ravangla to Gangtok via NAMCHI!
We came back to our resort by the early evening. So we
planned up to have some fun. Close friends, bonfire night, foods, songs, and
fun, what else you need to spend the last night on a hilltop resort!
It was time to proceed for our next location, GANGTOK via
NAMCHI. Namchi is also a magnificent spot to travel over.
The Temi Tea Garden is situated in Temi. This large tea garden is gently
laid over a slanting hill along with a breathtaking view of mountains. You
will need to buy tickets (Rs.20/person) to enter the garden.
- Temi Tea Garden:
The Temi Tea Garden is situated in Temi. This large tea garden is gently
laid over a slanting hill along with a breathtaking view of mountains. You
will need to buy tickets (Rs.20/person) to enter the garden.
This monastery is popular because of its largest statue of Guru
Padmasambhava, another name is Guru Rinpoche. This 118 ft high statue seems to
be the highest statue of Buddhist Padmasambhava in the world. The reason behind
the name Samdruptse is because it is situated in the Samdruptse hill.
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| Guru Padmasambhava |
- Char Dham (Siddhesvara Dhaam):
Char Dham, another name Siddhesvara Dhaam is located at Solophok hill,
Namchi. This pilgrimage spot has lots of temple within a vast area along with a
Lord Shiva statue, approx. 87 ft height and on sitting posture. The aura and fresh air can give you a different level of mind relaxation here.
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| Temple of Char Dhaam |
We all had to leave after having lunch there to reach Gangtok, which is
approx. 2 hours 30 minutes. We reached our hotel by 7pm, checked in to our
rooms and then went to the most popular market of Gangtok, MG Marg, to have our
dinner.
Day6- Gangtok Sightseeing
GANGTOK, the capital of Sikkim is situated at 5,410 ft high
altitude. This city is now highly urbanized and became an all-time favorite for
tourists.
- Tsomgo Lake :
Tsomgo Lake or another name Changu Lake is highly popular because of its
color of the water. This lake becomes the main attraction of tourists during winter because in winter season this lake remains frozen.
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| Tsomgo Lake/Changu Lake |
- Nathu La Pass:
The prime merchandise border post between India and China, this mountain
pass is 14,140 ft above. On your journey to Nathu La, you will be overwhelmed
with its hillside scenario. A must visit place for mountain lovers!
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| Nathu La View |
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| Way To Nathu La Pass |
- MG Marg:
Shopaholics, now this is the place of you! At Mahatma Gandhi Marg, you
can shop some amazing trendy and stylish winter wears for you and your loved
ones. You can also buy some cool, funky and traditional Tibetan showpieces. At
the end of the journey who does not want to shop! Also, this Marg has lots of restaurants
there to try mouthwatering Tibetan foods.
The next day we all went back to NJP to reach where
we all are from. So, yeah! Here our journey ends! |
| MG Marg |
