One of the Himalaya’s best-kept travel
secrets,Sikkim is a welcome diversion from all conventional notions of an
Indian holiday. Far fromRajasthan’s royal trail, Goa’s beaches and Kerala’s
backwaters, this tiny Indian hill state prides itself on pristine alpine
forests, lofty snow-capped mountains, craggy landscapes dotted with quaint villages
and a rich tribal culture brocaded with vibrant Tibetan Buddhist accents.
A fantastic adventure off the beaten
track, Sikkim is a place waiting to be explored. Here are 15 excellent ways to
get under its skin.
Visit Rumtek Monastery
Considered one of Tibetan Buddhism’s
most important centres, the magnificent Rumtek Monastery is a repository of
countless invaluable artefacts (precious metal statues, gem-studded cenotaphs,
exotic ritualistic paraphernalia) stacked within its cavernous portals. The
official – though currently vacant – seat of the revered Karmapa Lama, the
monastery is especially attractive during the Mahakala Dance in February, when
giant figurines of protector deities raise hell in the courtyard and fight off
evil demons.
Trek to Goecha La
Many hardened hikers consider this
week-long adventure to be the best trek for sighting Mt Khangchendzonga
(8586m), the world’s third-highest peak. Starting from the outpost of Yuksom in
West Sikkim, the trail cuts up a sylvan alpine terrain to finally peak at a
gravity-defying 4940m, from where you can take in sweeping views of the snows
towering above. April and November are best for photo ops.
Explore North Sikkim
Sprawled across a remote northern region
of the state, the sublimely beautiful valleys of Yumthang and Tsopta are
scantly visited. Frequently ravaged by landslides and earthquakes, these
mountains are tricky territory to travel in. But then, isn’t that what intrepid
travel is all about? So jump into a sturdy four-wheel-drive and hit the bumpy
road to paradise. To adjust to the altitude along the way, spend a night in the
quaint and scenic hamlet of Lachen.
Sip Temi’s tea
The tiny village of Temi in South Sikkim
stands its ground as the only tea-growing region in the state. Producing a
mellow and delightfully aromatic brew, ‘Temi tea’ has a loyal following around
the world, and the good news is you can now relish the nectar right where it is
harvested. Simply schedule an excursion through Temi’s picturesque gardens, and
savour grand 360-degree mountain views along with every refreshing sip of the amber
beverage (best had without milk or sugar).
Go organic
Sikkim is poised to become the first
state in India to go fully organic in terms of production and consumption of
food material. The changeover is already apparent in local markets, where
organic produce seems to be trumping non-organic. Needless to say, this is your
chance to detoxify, indulge in a nutritious vacation and eat your way to good
health.
Drive to Tsomgo Lake
Spanning a valley at a height of 3780m,
Tsomgo Lake cuts a pretty picture against a backdrop of rugged mountains rising
towards the Tibetan Plateau. The outing (a four-hour return journey from state
capital Gangtok) is particularly enjoyable in early spring and late autumn,
when parts of the lake are frozen over and the stalls by the lake serve piping
hot tea and momos (meat-filled dumplings) to fight the numbing chill. A
lakeside joyride on a friendly yak? It's got that too!
Row down the Teesta
Rushing down the length of Sikkim from
icy glacial heights to tropical alluvial plains, the turbulent Teesta River
promises some fantastic rafting opportunities on its foamy waters. From calm
stretches for novices to curling rapids for experienced oar-wielders, the river
packs a variety of challenges at every level. Whether raft or kayak, choose
your preferred ride and let the adrenaline flow.
Understand Tibetology
Got a thing for antique mountain
cultures? Then swing by the fortress-like Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in
Gangtok, and familiarise yourself with countless nuances of Tibetan culture and
Vajrayana Buddhism. Don’t miss the museum, packed with relics such as ancient
manuscripts, thangkas (religious scroll paintings) and Tantric ritualistic
objects (human skull bowls and thigh-bone trumpets, anyone?).
Know your morsels
A bowl of steaming sisnoo (nettle soup),
a serving of fried ningro (fiddlehead ferns) and, finally, a generous helping
of rice with gundruk ko jhol (fermented mustard leaf soup) and fiery pork
curry. That’s a traditional Sikkimese meal, delicious to the last spoonful. If
the spice gets to you, simply wash it down with chhang, a refreshing local rice
beer served in wooden mugs.
Embrace local life
Do you think hotels are characterless
and boring? Wonderful. Shun the usual sleeping options and root for an
absorbing experience at one of rural Sikkim’s many ambient homestays instead.
Mingle with affable hosts, share stories and drinks over kitchen fires in the
evening, have fun helping out with farm and household activities, and kill time
with a book or iPod for company in the cosy comfort of your tastefully
appointed room.
Find religion
Spirituality is an essential element of
Sikkim’s social and cultural grain, and you can amply soak it up during your
holiday here. Meditate in an ancient Buddhist gompa, attend a religious
ceremony (such as the new year festivities of Losar), or pay obeisance at the
many shrines in the temple town of Namchi. If you’re visiting a monastery,
don’t forget to light a butter lamp for peace, love and prosperity.
Take a day hike
Sikkim’s
mountains are criss-crossed by numerous foot trails traditionally used by
locals to commute between villages. For travellers, this means a wonderful
opportunity to bushwalk through the serene wilderness, exploring the region’s
bucolic scenery and a plethora of plant and animal life along the way. The day
walks from Yuksom to Khecheopalri Lake and Tashiding are particularly
picturesque, as are short jaunts around the town of Ravangla
Smell the rhododendrons
Known to foster more than 500 species of
rhododendron, the forests of Varsey and Singba (in West Sikkim and North Sikkim
respectively) come alive in a riotous bloom sometime between March and May.
Vivid shades of red, pink, yellow, mauve and white smear entire hillsides, and
a walk under these colourful canopies is an otherworldly experience, to say the
least. Mind those pesky leeches wiggling in the undergrowth, though.
Groove to Gangtok’s nightlife
Dusk is a happy time along MG Marg,
Gangtok’s social and cultural hub. Snack stalls along the main drag whip up
juicy servings of momos, lounge bars come alive with strains of rock and blues,
and the appetising smell of freshly baked savouries perfumes the crisp evening
air. The booze is cheap, the company is friendly, and the good times keep
rolling. Drink, dine and dance the night away.
Glide like an eagle
The newest fix for adventure junkies in
the region, paragliding is a fantastic way to enjoy bird’s eye views of
Sikkim’s mountains. October and November, with clear sunny skies, are the best
months for the sport – this is also when Gangtok hosts the annual Sikkim
Paragliding Festival. So put on your helmet, strap on your chute and leap off
the hill for a thrilling flight down to terra firma. And don’t forget to snap a
self-portrait en route, to secure bragging rights back home.
Source: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/
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