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The crowning glory of Sikkim is Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world. The panoramic perfection of the snow-capped Himalayas, the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture and joyous festivals, the infinite variety of its flora and fauna makes it a holiday that is at once fascinating and challenging.
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Cuisine
The staple diet is rice. Momos & Thupkas are popular. Tchang a drink made of millet is served in bamboo mugs.
Shopping
Look for hand woven carpets, thankas, lepcha weave bags, purses, woodwork, Sikkimese dresses, large cardamoms, caps, scarves, jewellery, Sikkimese spirits and liqueurs. Also look for the famous silver "dragon rings" or the popular "Choktse" which is the collapsible wooden tables with hand carvings.
Places to see
Gangtok is at an altitude of 1780m, is the state capital and the hub of activity. Gangtok can be made the base for visiting Sikkim. Initially an outsider visiting Sikkim was restricted to Gangtok and its sorroundings. Now many more parts of Sikkim have been opened including the Tsomgo lake and the historic Nathu La pass which lies beyond.
Though Gangtok still remains the main hub of tourism in Sikkim, the wings of travel/tourism are fast expanding into other regions. Some places previously only on trekking routes are now becoming destinations in their own rights. Most of these places are in West Sikkim and some in North Sikkim. Khangchendzonga is a mountain believed to be the abode of Dzo-nga the mountain god which can be can be viewed from every corner of Sikkim. The 135 feet tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava is situated at Samdruptse, South Sikkim.
