» OVERVIEW OF SIKKIM

SIKKIM-home to 406457 people covers an area of 7214 Sq. km and main Language is Nepali.
Sikkim a remarkable destination, offbeat and unknown to all but a tiny few travelers, nestles between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Darjeeling, District of west Bengal. The rich Himalayan flora and fauna, soaring, peaks, cascading waterfalls and lush moist valleys provide a scenic beauty and grandeur that unfolds before your eyes and lifts your spirit. Kanchanjunga (8585 m.) the worlds third highest peak, the guardian deity of Sikkim, is a grand sight. The Sikkim Himalayas provide a rugged challenge for those with a spirit of adventure. The country was original home to the Lepchas, a tribal people thought to have migrated from hills of Assam around the 13th Century. The Lepchas were pacifist’s forest foragers and small-patch cultivators who worshipped nature spirits. They still constitute some 18% of the total population of SIKKIM, though their ability to lead their traditional lifestyle has been severely limited by immigration from Tibet and, more recently, from Nepal. The Tibetans started to immigrate into Sikkim during the 13th and 16 centuries to escape religious strife between various Lamaist sects. For many years, Sikkim has been regarded as one of the last Himalayan Shangri-las because of its remoteness, Spectacular Mountain terrain, varied flora, and fauna and ancient Buddhist Monasteries. Finally 1975 became the 22nd Indian State.

Quick Facts:
Population: 406457
Religion: Hinduism (68.36%), Buddhism (27.20%), Others (4.44%)
Capital: Gangtok
Annual Rainfall: 82 - 500 mm
Languages: Lepcha, Bhutia, Hindi, Nepali, Limbu
Urbanization Ration: 9.10%
Per Capita Income: 9472 (at current prices in 1997-98)
Best Time to Visit: Mid March to June
Literacy Rate: 57%

How to reach Sikkim
By Air:
There are regular flights to Bagdogra from Guwahati, Calcutta, and Delhi. The nearest airstrip Bagdogra which lies at a distance of 124km from Gangtok. You can fly in from Kathmandu to Biratnagar or Bhadrapur (in Nepal) and drive to Silguri.

By Train:
The nearest railway stations from Gangtok are New Jalpaiguri (125km) and Siliguri (144km) connected to Delhi, Calcutta, Guwahati, and other important cities in India.

By Road:
From Gangtok, there are daily buses services to Siliguri (5 hours), Darjeeling (7 hours), Kalimpong (3 hours), and Bagdogra (4½ hours).

Location:
Located in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is bound by Tibet (China) in the north, West Bengal in the south, Tibet and Bhutan in the east and Nepal in the west. The state is spread below Mount Kanchanjunga (8,534 m), the third highest peak in the world. The locals worship the mountain as a protecting deity. The elevation of the state ranges between 300m and over 8500m above sea level.

Climate: There is an immense variation in climate and vegetation in Sikkim. In the state, the climate is tropical up to 1624m, temperate between 1624m to 4222m, alpine above 4222m, and snowbound at 5248m. The best time to visit Sikkim is mid-March to June. In April and May, the rhododendrons and orchids are in full bloom. However, temperatures can be high, especially in the valleys. During monsoons, from the end of June till early September, rivers and roads become impassable, though plants damaged by the incessant rain spring back to life again and bloom towards the end of August. October, when orchids bloom once again, and November tend to have the clearest weather of all. As December approaches, it gets bitterly cold in the high altitude areas, and remains that way until early March, though interspersed with spells of clear weather.

HISTORY: Buddhism, the major religion in the state, arrived from Tibet in the 13th century. It took its distinctive Sikkimese form four centuries later, when three Tibetan monks of the old Nyingamapa order, dissatisfied with the rise of the reformist Gelukpas, migrated to Yoksum in western Sikkim. Having consulted an oracle, they went to Gangtok looking for a certain Phuntsong Namgyal, whom they crowned as the first Chogyal or 'Righteous King' of Denzong in 1642. Being the secular and religious head, he was soon recognized by Tibet, and brought sweeping reforms. His kingdom was far larger than today's Sikkim and included Kalimpong and parts of western Bhutan. Over the centuries, the territory was lost to the Bhutanese, the Nepalese, and the British. The British policy to diminish the strong Tibetan influence resulted in the import of workers from Nepal to work in the tea plantations of Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong and these soon outnumbered the indigenous population. After India's Independence, the eleventh Chogyal, Tashi Namgyal, strove hard to prevent the dissolution of his kingdom. Officially, Sikkim was a protectorate of India, and the role of India became increasingly crucial with the Chinese military build-up along the northern borders that culminated in an actual invasion early in the 1960s. The next king Palden Thondup was a weak ruler and in 1975, succumbed to the demands of the Nepalese majority of becoming a part of India.

PEOPLE & Ethnicity:
Sikkim is the least populated state in the country. There are Nepalese (75%), Lepchas (20%), and smaller proportions of Bhutias and Limbus. The Lepchas or the Rong were the first tribe to come and settle in the region. In the 13th century, the Bhutias from Kham area of Tibet came and brought with them for the first time the Mahayana sect of Buddhism to the state. Most of the people speak Nepali, which is also the state language.
Buddhism is entrenched in the tradition of the state tough Hindus are in minor numbers. People have faith in Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings), and the Sangha (assembly of monks) where religious texts are studied, taught and preserved. Soaked in religious tradition, the land has a spiritual ambience where prayer flags with inscriptions of Buddhist texts flutter around the boundary of the village to ward off evil spirits, prayer wheels rotate to the currents of water, and chortens and lucky signs are common sights.

Arts & Crafts:
Choksees are small wooden tables about one and a half to two feet in height and adorned with intricate local Tibetan designs on the side. They are collapsible and easy to carry back home. Tibetan woolen carpets, the main attraction here, are very expensive and done in intricate patterns. Made of pure sheep wool, these carpets use brilliant vegetable colors and dyes. Exquisitely carved dragon sets of silver and gold inlaid with precious stones are one of the special attractions of Sikkim. One can order for the finely designed dragons in the form of earrings, pendants, or finger-rings made in silver or gold.

Music & Dance:
Sikkim's famous mask dances provide a marvelous spectacle. Performed by lamas in the Gompa courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, these dances demonstrate perfect footwork and grace. Costumed lamas with gaily-painted masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels, leap and swing to the rhythm of resounding drums, trumpeting of horns and chanting of monks. Saga Dawa is a very auspicious day for the Mahayana Buddhists. On this day, people go to monasteries to offer butter lamps and worship the Buddha. A huge procession of monks goes around Gangtok with Holy Scriptures.
The Kagyat dance is performed every 28th and 29th day of the Tibetan calendar. The solemn nature of the dances is interspersed with comic relief provided by jesters.

Fairs & Festivals:
The people of Sikkim celebrate the anniversaries relating to birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of the Buddha, besides the Buddhist New Year and the harvest festivals. Several festivals are celebrated in Gangtok and its adjoining areas.

The Buddhist festival of Bumchu is held in the Tashiding Gompa during January.
The festival of Chaam is held in the Enchey Gompa during January-February and is marked by dancing. This dance is a mask dance held every month at Gangtok, Pemayangtse, and Phodong. Losar marks the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated during February-March at Pemayangtse and Rumtek. Tse Chu is a Buddhist dance held in May at Rumtek. Saga Dawa (held in Gangtok during May) and Drukpa Teshi (celebrated statewide during July) mark the anniversary of the Buddha's first teaching. Phang Lhabsol is a mask dance celebrated statewide during August. Dasain, celebrated during September-October, is marked by exchange of gifts and animal sacrifice.

Attire, the Lepcha men wear a dress called 'pagi' made of stripped cotton while the Lepcha women wear a two-piece dress. Among the Bhutias, the traditional dress of the men is known as the 'Bakhu', which is a loose cloak type garment with full sleeves. The women's dress consists of a silken 'Honju', which are a full sleeve blouse and a loose gown type garment. The women are very fond of heavy jewelry made of pure gold.
Gangtok, the capital, is a modern city where tradition coexists with contemporary fashions and modes. Whereas the women are fond of traditional dresses, the men folk have taken to western attire. Jeans, jackets and suits exist along with the Baku (full-length dress). Some of the old-timers can be seen with rosaries and prayer wheels.

Cuisine:
One can savor all delicacies in Sikkim-from Tibetan to Chinese, Indian to Japanese. Pancakes, chicken-fried rice, and momos are hot favorites. Rice is the staple diet, and legumes are readily available. Gyakho is a traditional soup served on special occasions. Most restaurants serve alcohol. One can also look out for tomba, a traditional drink consisting largely of fermented millet, with a few grains of rice for flavor, served in a wooden or bamboo mug, and sipped through a bamboo straw.

ATTRACTIONS TO TOURIST:
In north Sikkim, one can visit Changthang (the origin of the river Teesta), Yumthang (140 km from Gangtok), the Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary (137 km from Gangtok), and the Kanchanjunga National Park.
South Sikkim is famous for trekking and offers some of the best treks in the region. One can walk through the sylvan mountains of Namtse, 100 km from Gangtok, and Tendong hill, Varsey, Borong, Maenam hill, and Ravangla.
In the eastern part of the state, one can visit the capital Gangtok. The Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom, White Hall, Ridge Garden, Do-Drul Chorten Stupa, Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center, Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, the Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary are oft-visited sites there.
West Sikkim boasts of the Rabdentse ruins, Pelling, and the former capital Yuksom.
For trekking, one can follow any of the four trek routes: the Monastic Trek, Rhododendron Trek, Kanchanjunga Trek, and Coronation Trek. River rafting is possible in the rough waters of the Teesta and Rangit. Kayaking is arranged on the Teesta on special request. In north and west Sikkim, mountain biking is very popular these days.

Restricted Permits
Restricted permits are requires for these areas under the conditions mentioned below each area.
1. Gangtok
2. Rumtek
3. Phodong
4. Pemayangtse Khecheperi
5. Tashigang
Individual tourists are permitted in these circuits. A maximum of 15 days is allowed. State government, if necessary, can grant an extension of 15 days on request in the written form.
6. Dzongri in West Sikkim Individual tourists are not permitted to visit this place. Maximum time period allowed is 16 days.
7. Tsangu (Changu Lake in East Sikkim) Individual tourists are not permitted. The permit is valid for day visits only. Tourist groups are expected to travel on identified tour circuits only.
8. Mangan, Tong, Singhik, Changthang, Lachung, and Yumthang
Individual tourists are not permitted on these circuits. Maximum stay period allowed is five days.

Trekking in sikkim Himalaya:
Drive in and out of Silguri. Bagdogra is the closest airport from Calcutta. It is about 20 km from Silguri. From Silguri the closest boarder town in Nepal is Kakarbhitta. It is about 30 km. you can either fly in from Calcutta to Bagdogra or take flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar or Bhadrapur (in Nepal) and drive to Silguri

Drive in and out of Silguri. Bagdogra is the closest airport from Calcutta. It is about 20 km from Silguri. From Silguri the closest boarder town in Nepal is Kakarbhitta. It is about 30 km. You can either fly in from Calcutta to Bagdogra or take flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar or Bhadrapur (in Nepal) and drive to Silguri

We will assist you to obtain permit to visit follwoing areas from the Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok. 2 passport photos each photocopy of passports, Indian visa & Sikkim Innerline Permit must be attached along with the duly filled and signed trekking permit forms, this can be avaialable upon request. The Sikkim Interline Permit can be INDORSED in the passport while applying for the India visa.

Booking Term and Condition
Flight Condition: Because of weather and technical reason flight to remote mountain airstrip could be delayed or postponed. We recommend at least 2 to 3 days in Kathmandu after the trek. Minimum 2 night before the trek is necessary to complete documentation and possible delay in arrival.
Tier Pricing: Trip cost is based on tier pricing structure. Minimum recommended group size is 2 person. The tier pricing has price advantage for larger group.
Booking Condition: At least 60 days in advance time and 30% trip advance is requires at the time of trip booking.
Payment: Full payment must be made at least 30 days before the trip departure.
Refund: There will be no refund if members leave a trip for any reason either voluntarily or involuntarily after the trip has begun. No refund will be made for any services not utilized.
Cancellation and No Show:
Cancellation made less than 30 days half of the trip cost shall be charged. Full trip cost would be charged for cancellation 72 hours before trip departure and cancellation must be notified in writing.
Health: Good health and physical fitness are required on all trips. A physician’s certificate is required for high altitude trek and climbing.
Insurance: Participants on the trips must be protected by insurance that cover cancellation, accident, health, delay, emergency evacuation, and loss of or damage to their baggage and personal effects.
Trip schedule and itinerary: The itinerary shows planned night stop and a summery of the day activity. It may change due to weather, logistics, flights, and other condition beyond our control.
Passport and visa: Participants must be in possession of a valid passport and all necessary visas. The company advises and assists, but it is participants’ responsibility to ensure that the correct documents are held.
Document: Passport number, nationality, full name indicating male and female, profession, date of birth, and 3 passport size photos should reach us at least 30 days prior to trip departure.
Price: All prices are base in US dollar. It is based on current airfare, exchange rate, and cost in effect January 1, 2000.
Price Change: The Company reserves the right to alter prices if these rates change substantially. Surcharges may also be applied in the event of changes in government regulations, airfare, taxes, and price change of Tibet and Bhutan program.
Responsibility The company acts as agent for transport companies, hotels, lodges, and other contractors and shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may be occasioned for any reason, including, but not limited to any defect of any company or person engaged in conveying a passengers and participants, acts of God, detention, delay or expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, force majeure, civil disturbances, government restriction or regulations, accident by aircraft, boat, bicycle, or motor vehicle, or any hotel, inn, lodge, restaurant or accommodation, failure of any means or transportation to arrive or depart as scheduled or changes in transit, hotel, inn, guest house or camping service.
The passenger or participant understands that during the course of the trip certain risks and dangers may occur, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling in mountainous terrain, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, and the forces of nature. The participant agrees to assume all risks associated with the journey and agrees that no liability will be attached to the company or its outfitter, employees or agents, or to any member of the tour group in respect of death, personal injury, illness or delay of the participant, or for any loss of or damage to the property of the participant during the course of the trip howsoever caused.