Sikkim is a state in northeast India, bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Part of the Himalayas, the area has a dramatic landscape that includes India’s highest mountain, 8,586m Kangchenjunga. Today, tourists embarking on a journey of Sikkim discover a mystical wonderland of spectacular natural beauty. Sikkim is one of the most politically stable and peaceful place in India. Sikkims geographical location with its altitudinal variation allows it to have tropical, temperate and alpine climatic conditions within its small area of about 7,000 kms. Sikkim is also home to glaciers, alpine meadows and thousands of varieties of wildflowers. Steep paths lead to hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, which dates to the early 1700. Sikkim has been given many names. The Lepchas, original inhabitants of the land called it Nye-mae-el `paradise'. The Limbus named it Su Khim or `new house' while to the Bhutias it was Beymul Demazong `the hidden valley of rice'. There are many different communities living in Sikkim and all have their own folk dances to celebrate their festival and joy. Most of the folk dances are performed as per their religious and historical belief of the festival. Hence, most of the dances are either ritualistic or simply celebrative. The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups that is Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha. Sikkim has many beautiful lakes dotting its landscape. Most of the lakes in Sikkim are considered sacred and are very beautiful. Some of the mesmerizing lakes in Sikkim are Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake), Khecheopalri Lake, Lampokari Lake, Menmecho Lake, Gurudongmar Lake. Wreathed in clouds, Gangtok, the capital city and the largest town of Sikkim is located at an elevation of 1650 meters, with a spectacular view of the Khangchendzonga. Established as a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the 1840, the city became capital of an independent monarchy after British rule ended, but joined India in 1975. Today, it remains a Tibetan Buddhist center and a base for hikers organizing permits and transport for treks through Sikkim’s Himalayan mountain ranges. Our Gangtok tour packages has lots to offer a discerning traveller, please also have a look at our Sikkim tour packages so that you can cover other destination apart from Gangtok in your tour to Sikkim. Gangtok has maximum number of monasteries in the world and is also known as the land of monasteries. For a complete view of Gangtok and all its surrounding places, you can go to Ganest Tok located on a ridge at a distance of 7 kms from Gangtok, from this place you can get a view of whole Gangtok city, while across the hills Mt. Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon.
