My fascination for mountains have taken me to places like Annapurna in Nepal, the Everest Base Camp also in Nepal and the imposing Sheela Pass-Tawang circuit of Arunachal Pradesh in North East of India. I have heard a lot about Sikkim, its mountains with Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity, the affable and easygoing hill people, the quintessential Sikkimese cuisine, its predominant Buddhist culture and of course the world famous Orchids. But, as luck would have it, I was unable to muster the time and the energy to embark on an exclusive mountain tour of Sikkim.
The ascent from the plains of Siliguri to the high mountain terrain of Sikkim via National Highway 31A is nothing short of a fairy tale mountain ride. The four-hour drive from Siliguri to Gangtok offers spectacular window views of the Sikkimese countryside nestling besides the turquoise-blue Teesta River, your companion throughout the journey. Rhododendrons and Orchids create a riot of pink, yellow and mauve.
Gangtok, the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim is a mystical land and is steeped in history. The tumultous history of the land finds echoes in the peaks and valleys that rise and fall. Directly overlooking the city is the hill – Lukshyma, the “mother of pearl” citadel of the magic mountains, Khang – Chen – Dzongda. The sight of the impressive Rumtek Monastery, renowned the world over as an important seat of Tibetan Buddhism and the world’s second largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery is awesome.
If history is anything to go by, Sikkim used to be an independent country till the year 1897 and was ruled by the powerful Chougyal dynasty. The majestic palace of the Chougyal dynasty at Gangtok bears ample testimony to Sikkim’s rich virile past.
Gangtok’s rustic facilities and its warm-hearted folks offer visitors with a fascinating experience of life in the Eastern Himalayas, a Himalaya you never knew existed.Onward to Nathula Pass – The Last Frontier:
Having spent three eventful days at Gangtok, my hotelier friend Lobzang, true to his indomitable Himalayan spirit came up with an outlandish suggestion that we visit Nathula Pass, the border town and India’s last Army post.
Nathula Pass, which is all of 14,450 feet above sea level, is located at a distance of 56 Kms. from Gangtok on the Indo-Chinese border. In the days of yore, it used to be referred to as the famed “Silk Route” that facilitated trade with Tibet.
The ultimate high from us was the once in lifetime’s opportunity to be photographed in the company of soldiers from the Chinese Red Army.
(1) A weather proof Swiss Tent is an absolute must, since there are no accommodations like hotels and resorts at Nathula Pass.
(2) The freezing sub zero temperature means that you need heavy woolens, jackets with cover up cap, snow goggles, gloves, spare woolen socks and a hardy pair of shoes with good grip to see you through the harsh weather conditions and landscape.
(3) Carry an inflammable stove for cooking purposes.
(4) At least one among the touring party must know elementary cooking.
(5) Carry foodstuff like noodles and fresh vegetables/meat/fish etc… according to ones preference.
(6) A pair of torch light with good visibility.
(7) First aid box with enough remedies for mountain sickness.
(8) A pair of binoculars for distant mountain viewing across the Chinese border.
(9) Non-narcotic pain relievers (acetaminophen or paracetamol, ibuprofen).
(10) Throat Lozenges.
Getting There:
The nearest airport from Gangtok is Bagdogra, 124 Kms. away in North Bengal. Scheduled flights arrive to Bagdogra from Calcutta, New Delhi and Guwahati. Major airlines like Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Spice Jet and Kingfisher offer regular flights to and fro Bagdogra.
For those who do not want to take the trouble of embarking on a road journey to Gangtok can avail of the Helicopter ride to Sikkim conducted by Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim from Bagdogra to Gangtok and vice versa. The flight timings have also been kept flexible so as to suit the requirements of passengers arriving or departing Bagdogra and vice versa.
Accommodation:
Gangtok is choc-a-bloc with hotels to suit every budget. Hotel Norkhil, Hotel Tashi Delek, Hotel Tibet, The Chumbi Residency, Hotel Sonam Delek are some of the up-market hotels of Gangtok. They are centrally located and offer impeccable mountain hospitality. Most have a predominant Tibetan ambience. Hotel Tibet in particular is famed for its no-holds-barred Tibetan appeal. The in-house restaurants offer Chinese, Continental and Indian cuisines but try out the local Sikkemese delicacies prepared to perfection by the resident chef.
For those interested in government run accommodation, Hotel Mount Jopuno is a great place to stay and is centrally located at P.S.Road.
Permits:
In addition to an Indian visa, foreign travelers must possess an Inner Line Permit, issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs or New Sikkim House, both in Delhi. The permit is valid for 15 days. A visit to the interiors of Sikkim requires a Protected Area Permit, which may be obtained in Gangtok from the Department of Tourism.
For further information on Gangtok and the state of Sikkim, please feel free to contact –
Sikkim Tourist Information Center,
M.G. Marg,
Gangtok,
Sikkim, India.