Escape into an icy cold region of the Himalayas

In the blistering heat of the hot Indian summers an escape into an icy cold region of the Himalayas would be blissful to both body and soul. Travelling to a place like this would also provide a much needed break from the busy and hectic schedules that most people have throughout the year. It pumps in the much needed zeal and enthusiasm in which provides people the energy to go back to their daily jobs.

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Rohtang-Pass

Rohtang Pass located in the Himalayas provides all this along with an action packed adventure holiday. Located at a distance of 51 kms from Manali, it lies between Lahaul, Spiti and Leh sectors. Traffic is open from May/June to October/November every year and during rest of the year the roads are eaten up due to the heavy snowfall in the area. The snow cover makes it impossible to cross the mountain pass because of the heavy debris of snow that is deposited.

The pass has the heritage of being an important trade route connecting Kulu valley to Lahaul Spiti and it further goes upto Tibet. This route has been in existence for a long period of time. Rohtang Pass is also significant because it lies at the crossroads of Kulu valley/district to Lahaul and Spiti district.

History

The pass has been a historic trade route for the people residing on both sides of the Pir Panjal. The local name for Rohtang pass can be called to be generic name by which a pass is known. There are many other passes which have particular names. This suggests that this pass is one of the oldest and most significant passes of the region with a major historical and geographical significance.

Pir-Panjal

Location

Rohtang Pass lies at an altitude of 3,978 mts or 13,051 ft. The view of the mountain range offered from this pass is panoramic and breathtaking. There are beautiful sights of glaciers, peaks of mountains and the Chandra River flowing down the Lahaul valley. Just at the left of Rohtang pass are the twin peaks of Geypan. Located at a distance of 51 kms from Manali it lies between Lahaul, Spiti and Leh sectors. During the summers (mid June to October) there is regular bus service between Manali to Keylong/Darcha, Udaipur, Spiti and Leh. The best time to visit Rohtang is between May/June to October/November.

Chandra-River

Rohtang can be easily reached by the roads of Kulu and Manali valleys. Car rental vehicles are also available to cover the entire trip from Manali to Rohtang. Bus tours are also available which ply on a daily basis. It is roughly 2-3 hours drive from Manali to Rohtang Pass due to the sloping terrain and narrow mountain roads.

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Jallori-Manali-Rohtang

Where To Stay

There is no such hotel at Rohtang due to the arid and harsh climates. But a variety of accommodation options are available at Manali ranging from traditional hotels to amazing homestay properties. There are also several reputed hotel chains available at Manali. It is pretty easy to find quality accommodation at Manali at affordable prices. The hotels in Manali are not as expensive as that in most metro cities. But for affordable prices one can get quality accommodation, good food and hygienic arrangements.

Green-Manali-Cottage

Government hotels owned by HPDTC are also present in Manali. There are some very good Homestays in Manali that offers good service at value for money. Apart from this there are also several Eco-resorts in Manali that offer good service and proper arrangements.

Religious Significance

Rohtang Pass is of religious significance to both Hindus and Buddhists because of “Beas Kund” origin of the Beas River. It is denoted by an Igloo shaped temple. However this “Beas Kund” should not be confused with another a 4-6 hours trek from Palchan “Beas Kund” where it is found in a Lake. Two streams rise from these two sources which gives rise to the Beas River. This place is also of deep religious significance to Buddhists. Moving further along the road one can find a Buddhist shrine with many colourful flags adorning its structure.

Beas-Kund

Landscape

The landscape at Rohtang Pass comprises of rocky terrain or smooth snowy landscapes. It all depends on which time of the year one decides to visits this Pass. It is probably one of the few Passes in the world where people love going to rather than going through! The snowy landscapes Rohtang presents are one to watch out for as it makes for a breathtaking sight.

Landscape-Rothang

Route (Manali – 12 kms – Palchn – 5 kms – Kothi – 20 kms – Marhi – 10 kms – Rohtang Top)

Palchn is 12 kms from Manali.From Palchn it is 5 kms to Kothi and a further 20 kms Marhi and finally 10 kms to the top of Rohtang. The ascending starts soon after leaving Manali and the road is quite smooth and even till Marhi. Kothi is the last place on this route where people can stay. The only guest houses available are that of PWD or the Forest department. One should try to move from Manali as early in the morning possible as there are traffic congestion problems during the day and the cars move at snail’s pace at daytime.

Rothang-Pass-Road

Also the scenic view offered during this road-trip is quite majestic and one can observe the gradual change of flora from a greenish outlook to a more barren form somewhere before Marhi. Marhi is the last and largest outpost that lies on this stretch of road. There are quite a few dhabas and roadside teashops available here.

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Top Tourist Places In Rohtang

Jagat Sukh

It is located at a distance of 6 kms from Manali and lies on the road to Naggar on the left bank of the Beas River. This place is well known for the ancient temples of Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri built in the Shukhara style. These are a major tourist attraction.

Jagatsukh-nala-and-Dam-construction

Arjun Gufa

It lies 4kms from Naggar toward Manali. This village is located near Prini village. This has an appealing view and high mountains.

Arjun-Gufa-kullu-Manali

Solang Valley

It is a valley between Solan village and Beas Kund. It offers sceneries of glaciers, ice topped mountains and peaks. There is also a mountaineering school present in this part. In this school training on trekking, mountain climbing and skiing is imparted. An annual winter skiing festival is also held here.

Solang-Valley

Vashist

Hot water springs are found here in Vashist with sulphur and hot water springs. Vashist is a small village that lies here. It is located on the left side of the river Beas towards Rohtang Pass. There is also a stone temple in the form of a pyramid that is dedicated primarily to Vashist Muni an ancient Hindu saint. A nearby temple of Lord Ram is also located here.

Vashist-Hot-water-springs

Things To Do

One can try a host of activities ranging from skiing, paragliding and other mountain sports offered in the surrounding areas. Paragliding tours are offered at Marhi which can enable one to fly in the skies and kiss the clouds. Besides the road-trip on this rocky terrain is quite an adventure in itself. The car ride can get really bumpy at times so one should be prepared to a jerky ride. One could for shopping at Manali with all sorts of articles and merchandise up for grabs. One of the specialties at Manali is the Tibetan food which should be a delight for anyone with taste buds. The local Himachali wine shops are also worth a try as the wines sold here are pretty delightful and refreshing after a long day of sightseeing. If one goes a few kilometers extra beyond Rohtang the view that is available is mind blowing.

View-of-Rohtang-Pass

All in all Rohtang provides an excellent getaway from the daily hassles of day to day life. The scenic view along with the quality of living is amazing. It is a perfect holiday destination for someone looking for a quiet yet adventurous holiday. For the people interested in trekking it offers sloppy mountain a lot of which is often covered in ice. For others who like to be in peaceful environment the streets of Manali are perfect for a lazy evening walk or an early morning stroll.

Rohtang has a bit for everyone and anyone who visits here is bound to fall in love with this place. The sprawling greens in contrast to the snowy white mountains are bound to make people feel closer to heaven. Quite startling is the sudden change in scenery from green pastures to the arid barren lands is startling to the human eye. The mystic beauty of this place is surely a photographer’s delight. So if anyone wants to escape to a weekend of bliss then Rohtang is surely the place to go to.

Indian Festivals: Ladakh Festival

With the Himalayan wonder, Ladakh, becoming more accessible to visitors from across the country, it is a great opportunity to get an intimate view of the unique festivals of the region.

One of the most exciting cultural extravaganzas, the Ladakh Festival, is celebrated between every 1st to 15th September. Great weather and fewer tourists make this a great time to enjoy the region’s heritage, depicted in dances, music and local food.

About the Festival

The Ladakh festival was the brainchild of the state tourism ministry and local communities to bring forth the rich cultural heritage of the region for everyone to enjoy. Leh, Kargil and the farway Zanskar valley participate in this festival.

Lamas-dancing-during-Festival

The festival starts with parades of local dance and music troupes which slowly go past the main Leh market to finally end in the Polo Ground. The most important part of the Ladakh Festival is the polo match. The winners are conferred with the Ladakh Festival Cup. This was introduced to take forward the lineage of this traditional sport of the Western Himalayas. Some of the other events include archery, singing contests and dance competitions.

Ladakh-Festival-Cup-Polo

The most exhilarating performance is that of the Lamas, who dance to haunting tunes in traditional colourful masks. These monks are chosen from a handful of monasteries and their performance is one of the highlights of the festival.

Childern-Dancing-Ladakh-Festival

Local food stalls line up at the venues so dig into some Tibetan food like Thukpa and Tsampa. Skyu is also something worth a try. This is a pasta dish with vegetables. Apart from the local food, you can also find local versions of other cuisines.

The festival marks the end of the pleasant weather as soon after the festival, the weather gets chilly and the in a month’s time, the high passes close due to snow. The Ladakh Festival leaves visitors and locals with colourful memories before the cold takes over the region.

Parade-during-festival

How and When to get there

Leh, the capital city where the festival is held, is accessible by both road (via Manali or Srinagar) and air. The road trip itself is magnificent, but if you are planning on arriving on the opening day, you should keep 2 days for road travel. You can also fly in from Delhi, but arrive at least a day or two early to acclimatise to the altitude. With much walking, participation and following the parades, it can get very exhausting.

Tips for Visitors

• Get local help beforehand to get seats in the Polo Ground if you want to watch the entire procession. Alternatively, a great vantage point from atop a building also makes a good viewing point.
• With prior permission from the Tourism office, you can also get close access to the parade to get brilliant photo-opportunities.
• If you can arrange to meet some of the troupes before or after the parade, more up-close pictures can be obtained.
• This is also a good time for shopping for handicrafts as locals bring out their best wares and the variety is incredible. Although be prepared to bargain as visitors can be over charged a little. Local help will come in handy to get a decent bargain. Silver jewellery, mementos, prayer flags and more elaborate souvenirs like shawls and rugs are in plenty.

Himachal Tourism: Things to do in Matiana

Location

It is located at about 2400 meters height above the sea level. And is about 45 kilometers from Shimla. The location falls under Tehsil Theog. 

History

Matiana is basically a small village. The local people are basically Rajputs and worship Goddess Durga (Ma Maheshwari or Bhagvati). They are devout followers of the Goddess. Many believe that people from the upper part of Himachal are the natives while the rest are migrants. 

Language

Pahari is the local language but hindi is spoken by virtually everyone. 

Cuisine

Much like everything else in the hills, even the cuisine of Matiana is simple and unadulterated. Fresh fruits are grown in many orchards around which also produce fresh jams, jellies etc. vegetables are grown locally and therefore are fresh when cooked. 

Attractions

In Matiana one must sit for a cup of tea, bite of an apple from the local orchards or click a photograph of the beautiful landscapes. Offering a view of high peaked mountains, with fresh breeze airing through the local village, Matiana offers to be one of the most mesmerizing and soul invigorating locations in the lap of nature. Trekking, horse riding, driving, picnics, golfing etc. are popular activities.

Apple orchards stretch over the length and breadth of this small town on NH 22, between Shimla and Narkhanda in Himachal Pradesh. Perpetually pleasant weather, a strong connection with the Goddess Durga and businesses rooted in apple farms, makes this a verdant and relaxed place to visit.

A small town feel and easy pace of life makes Matiana an ideal base for travellers who wish to relax and explore the region away from the tourist crowds. Matiana has a number of things to offer for those who like to walk around and soak in the atmosphere.

Here are our favourite things to do in Matiana.

1. Birdwatching 

This small town of Himachal gives a vast opportunity for birding enthusiasts to see plenty of different species. The varieties are distinctly different from that of other parts of India. Birds like Drongo, fly catcher, bar tailed tree creeper, black bulbul and Grosbeak can be spotted here.

Birdwatching-in-Matiana

2. Walking Trails 

The hills are a perfect place to explore and there are plenty of local trails to follow. Small village settlements, old-towering trees and local life are found along some of the most beautiful trails here. A good way to see the destination and get acquainted to the local culture, this is highly recommended.

Trekking-in-Matiana

3. Explore the Apple Farms

You can’t escape the importance of the apple farms in the region. Most people here have small or big farms and the conversations invariable leads to the season’s production and other issues. Visit an apple orchard and enjoy the freshness of apples right off the tree. While most of the harvest is sent to local or larger distributors, many people have diversified into small units of chutneys (Indian condiment) and juices. Perfect souvenirs to take home!

Juicy-Apples

4. Hatu Peak

A little over 15 kms from Matiana, the Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town. It takes about an hour from the town to drive up to this serene spot with oak stands and bright green pastures in the middle. From here, you can get a good look at the Himalayas on a clear day. Try not to visit on a weekend – the number of visiting cars and bikes often end up in a jam.

Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town

5. Local Temples

Matiana has always been associated with its devotion to the Goddess Durga. Apart from her, the destination is also sprinkled with other smaller temples. You will find temples tucked away in nooks and crannies, below trees, by the road and some elaborate ones. The religious zeal in the people is commendable here.

Jai Mata Bhawani!

When to go

As Matiana is high up in the hills it is pleasant all year round. Summers are usually not crowded by the hottest part of the year. Snow can be found in places like Hatu even in March.

How to reach

Getting in:  Bikers usually pass through Matiana using National Highway-22. Narkanda is one of the main stops for people travelling to Leh and Ladakh taking the route from Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Narkanda, NH-22 is also a good way to drive down to Matiana. Trains aren't well connected. And direct trains are hard to find.

Getting around: Taxis can be rented through hotels and homestays. There's no better reliable mode of transport around. Hikes, treks and walks are fun for some people.

Distance to other cities

Shimla....................47 Km

Chandigarh............167 Km

Manali...................215 Km

Dharamsala............283 Km

Delhi......................411 Km

Corbett..................498 Km

Ranikhet................610 Km

West Bengal Tourism: Things to do in Darjeeling

Kanchendzonga, clouds, fragrant cups of tea and sumptuous food. Head to Darjeeling and live in the clouds for a while, literally.

Darjeeling-Valley-View

This quaint hill station is located about 2150m above sea level and clouds tend to come down often enveloping you. The British loved the misty, mild-to-chilly climate of Darjeeling. So much so that they annexed it from Nepal and made it into their own special summer retreat to escape the heat of the plains. Among other things, they set up the tea plantations that today are responsible for the world-famous Darjeeling tea.

Here’s a list of things to do in Darjeeling:

1. Take a tea tour

Take a tea estate tour or stay on a plantation. On a tea tour, you will get to see what goes into making that perfect cuppa – you will go tea plucking with workers, get a round of the factory where leaves are processed and indulge in tea tasting.

Darjeeling-Tea-Gardens

The delicate flavour of Darjeeling tea is dependent on the climate and environment and the flavour and aroma of tea differs from hillside to hillside. Recommended is a tour of the Makaibari estate. Founded in the late 1850s, its tea fetches some of the highest prices in the world.

2. Visit a monastery

You can also go on a monastery tour. Darjeeling has several beautiful monasteries and temples. The Ghum Monastery (situated 8 km from Darjeeling in the town of Ghum) follows the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It has a 15ft statue of Maitreya Buddha.

Darjeeling-Flags-at-Monastery

The Bhutia Busty monastery is in Darjeeling town, near Chowrasta. It belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhist Lamas and is credited with the origin of the name of the town, Darjeeling. The monastery used to be known as Dorje Ling and was originally located on Observatory Hill before the Nepalese destroyed it in 1815. It was later rebuilt on the present site. A must-see at the monasteries are the gorgeous wall murals made with colours derived from powdered stones.

3. Take a walk around town

Take some time to go for long walks around town. Get to know Darjeeling up close – take a guided tour with the folks at Darjeeling Heritage Walks. They’ll show you a Darjeeling that very few people get to see. You may find yourself taking part in prayer ceremonies at a Tibetan monastery, sipping hot cups of butter tea, meeting legendary sherpas, sampling the best local foods, visiting lesser-known treasures like Crookety, Russian artist Nicholas Roerich’s house in nearby Kalimpong, or being regaled with real-life stories from Darjeeling about Afghan princes and spies in monks’ clothing that will put a Bond thriller to shame.

4. View mountain peaks

Play a game of hide ‘n seek with the Kanchendzonga, the third-highest peak in the world. It is right there behind the mist, its snow-capped proximity like an invisible presence.

Kanchenjunga-Range-from-Darjeeling

Sometimes it can remain resolutely, tantalisingly hidden. And then, sometimes you get lucky as the clouds lift like a theatre curtain. “Sometimes a tourist has waited 22 days and then been obliged to go away without a sight of it,” wrote Mark Twain from Darjeeling in 1896.
Tiger Hill is best known for the view of the dazzling sunrise over Kanchenjunga. On a clear day you can even see Mt Everest from here.

5. Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Take a ride on the Lilliputian Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a 60 cm narrow-gauge railway that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 becoming only the second railway in the world to have this honour. It goes up to a height of 2,286 metres.

Batasia_Loop_of_Darjeeling_Himalayan_Railway

Mark Twain described his trip on the railway in 1896 as “the most enjoyable day I have spent on the earth”. Among much-repeated stories about the DHR, one goes like this: A telegram sent from the line to headquarters in Calcutta during Mark Twain’s time allegedly said: “Tiger eating station master on front porch. Telegraph instructions.” Check out the website of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society which has more than 800 members in 24 countries.

6. Go book shopping

Browse and pick up a book on Darjeeling at Oxford Book & Stationery in Chowrasta. This specialises in books on Darjeeling, Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and the Himalayas.

7. Buy tea, tea sets and Himalayan honey

Sit down with your book and a cup of Darjeeling tea and watch the sunset at Nathmulls Lounge in Chowrasta. They are the oldest and the largest tea merchants here specializing in Darjeeling tea and source over 50 varieties of tea both from tea auction as well as directly from tea estates. They also stock an amazing variety of tea pots from miniature enamelled ones to intricately carved silver tea sets.

Darjeeling-Tea

Pick up some excellent Himalayan Honey at the lovely little shop Life & Leaf on Chowrasta. They work with small farmers and local artisans and sell a variety of products. They stock tea sourced directly from farmers as opposed to the other shops that sell tea by the big companies. The advantage? Part of the profits is channelled back to farmers. They also stock bamboo products, earthenware, woven stoles and embroidered tea cosies and mats.

Hang out at the uber cool Gatty’s Café in the evenings and listen to some of the best live music India has to offer. Darjeeling is known for its music and local talent.

Interesting facts about Darjeeling

• Darjeeling derives its name from Tibetan words ‘dorjé’ (thunderbolt) and ‘ling’ (place), and translates to Land of the Thunderbolt.
• Nestled in the Mahabharat Range (or Lesser Himalayas) at an elevation of 6,710 ft, the town was taken from Nepal by the British in the mid-19th century and, because of its temperate climate, used as a sanatorium to escape the heat of the plains.
• The man credited with building Darjeeling is Arthur Campbell, a surgeon with the East India Company.
• The British gradually set up tea plantations and developed distinctive hybrids of black tea, created new fermenting techniques. Today Darjeeling tea is known as the champagne of teas.
• Writer Mark Twain was 61 years of age when he came here in February, 1896. And became a huge fan. Here’s what he said of the town: “The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once even by a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined”.

Sikkim Tourism - Most beautiful hill land of Himalayan mountains

Sikkim is one of the most beautiful hill land of Himalayan mountains situated at an elevation from 280 m (920 ft) to 8,585 m.The mountainous terrain state of India is the second-smallest state after Goa and one of the most popular tourist destination for its culture,breathtaking scenery and biodiversity along with other seven sister states. Sikkim is home to the highest mountain peak of India and world’s third-highest peak Kangchenjunga is situated on the border between Sikkim and Nepal and various species of flora and fauna. Namchi, the capital of South Sikkim district is famous for Siddhesvara Dhaam, a place with four major Dhams of the Hindus Jagannath, Dwarika, Rameshawaram, Badrinath have been replicated under one roof along with the twelve jyothirlingas and 108ft tall statue of Lord Shiva and the Padmasambhava Statue near by.

People and Culture

The culture of Sikkim varies as per the ethnic group, major group are Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali. Lepchas People are original and native people of Sikkim, along with Nepali ethnic group. The Food, dance and traditions of these communities varies, Noodle-based dishes are most popular cuisines here along with famous Momos. The most popular sports are football and cricket, although hang gliding,Paragliding along with river rafting and snow sports are also popular. Due to huge popularity of Western rock music, Sikkim is emerging as one of the hottest rock musical capital of the country, It has many rock bands like Girish N The Chronicles,Still Waters and all-girls rock band the Phynyx.

People and Culture Sikkim

Fairs and Festivals

The Festivals of Sikkim includes all major Hindu festivals including Diwali and Dussera along with predominant Buddhist religion festivals. Maghe sankranti and Bhimsen Puja are two popular festival, celebrated by Nepalese along with Bhumchu,the Buddhist festivals. Some of the main fairs and festivals of Sikkim are Losoong, Bumchu, Saga Dawa,Drupka Tesh and Paragliding festival, Sikkim Snow Festival.

Fairs and Festival Sikkim

Avifauna of Sikkim

Avifauna of Sikkim includes the mountain birds along with other 550 species of birds.The avifauna are griffon vultures, Impeyan pheasant, golden eagles,Old World flycatchers, the snow partridge and the snow cock. Some of the birds are declared endangered due to hunting and loss of habitat.

Himalayan Griffon Vultures

Arthropod fauna of Sikkim

The rich diversity of Sikkim also support rich species of arthropods, many of them are still unstudied and unknown. Arthropod fauna of Sikkim includes 695 species of butterfly, some of them are the Yellow Gorgon,Bhutan Glory and the endangered Kaiser-i-hind.

Arthropods in sikkim

Flora of Sikkim

The ecological hotspot of the lower Himalayas is home to a diverse range of flora, the alpine and tundra. Flora of Sikkim includes number of species of flowering plants such as rare orchids,primula,rhododendron,conifer and bamboo. The Dendrobium nobile is the state flower of Sikkim and the rhododendron is the state tree.

Rare orchids Sikkim

Fauna of Sikkim

The Biodiversity priority areas and protected areas of Sikkim mountain terrains are provide shelter to some of the most endangered species of animals the snow leopard, the Himalayan Black Bear, the clouded leopard,musk deer,the Himalayan Tahr and the red panda,state animal of Sikkim.

Red panda Sikkim

Natural Beauty of Sikkim

The high mountains and deep valleys of Sikkim offers most beautiful views of Water bodies,Landscape and breathtaking scenery. The Yumthang Valley and Teesta river valley are home to some of the spectacular waterfalls of state such as beautiful Seven Sisters waterfall, Khanchendzonga Waterfalls, Bakthang waterfall and Rimbi water falls. Sikkim is home to one of the highest lakes in the world, the Gurudongmar lake, situated at an altitude of 17,100 ft (5,210 m) and Cholamoo lake,India’s highest lake.

Natural Beauty in Sikkim

Place of Interest

Nathu La Pass:

The Nathu La Mountain Pass is one of the highest mountain pass in Indian at an elevation of 4,310 m (14,140 ft). Nathu La Pass connects Sikkim to Tibet area and one of the major trading border between China and India. Nathu La Pass Silk Road is play an important role for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrim to visit pilgrimage sites in the region.

Nathu La Pass Sikkim

Rumtek Monastery:

The Rumtek Monastery is one of the most famous monuments of Sikkim and one of the 75 Buddhist monasteries. Rumtek Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated near the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok. The Monastery of Rumtek is one of the best place to visit in Sikkim, its surrounded by flowing streams,Snow mountains and a river with pleasant climate.

Rumtek monastery gangtok

Frozen Changu Lake:

The Changu Lake is one of the major lake of Sikkim situated near the Nathu La passes at East Sikkim near Gangtok. Changu Lake also called as Tsongmo Lake is a glacial lake at an altitude of 3,780 m (12,400 ft) and get freeze during the winter season. Tsongmo Lake along with Gurudongmar Lake and Tso Lhamo Lake are thee famous frozen lakes in Sikkim.

Frozen Changu Lake Sikkim

Yumthang Valley:

The amazing Yumthang Valley is situated near the Lachung town in North Sikkim. Lachung is surrounded by high elevated Himalayan mountains, a river through the valley and considered as the most picturesque village of Sikkim. The valley of Lachung receive heavy snowfall during the winter and high amounts of rainfall in monsoon. Valley of Lachung and Lachen are most beautiful place to visit in the state of Sikkim.

Yumthang Valley Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park:

The Khangchendzonga National Park is a Biosphere reserve nature park located in the border of Sikkim. National Park and Biosphere reserve is home to endangered species of majestic snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep,wild dog, Red Panda, Snow Pigeon, Green Pigeon, Sunbird & Eagle along with reptiles Russell’s viper.

Khangchendzonga national park

How to Reach

Air: 

Sikkim is about to get its first airport,Pakyong Airport in capital city of Gangtok. Currently the only operational airport in Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport,the military airport in the town of Siliguri in West Bengal.Gangtok has a helipad, the only civilian helipad in Sikkim state.

Rail: 

The nearest railway station for Sikkim are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. High mountains and rough terrain of Sikkim making it tough to plan a railway line, though Sikkim Railway has proposed plans for railway line and project to connect town of Rangpo in Sikkim with Sevoke.

Roads: 

Sikkim is well connected through the Indian road network via National Highway 31, links Siliguri to Gangtok. The State Transport of Sikkim runs buses, tourist taxi and jeep services throughout Sikkim and also connected to the hill stations of Kalimpong and Darjeeling.

Things to do in Sikkim

View from Hanuman Tok - Gangtok -Sikkim