East Sikkim - Travel Guide
East Sikkim is the most populous section of the state, around Gangtok, Sikkim's capital city, and serving as the centre of the state's administrative activity. Tourists come here in quest of enchantment, hiking, and serenity, since it is well connected to all of Sikkim's tourist attractions and is home to several of the state's most famous sites. The list of must-see attractions in Sikkim's Eastern region is endless.
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is the main travel centre in East Sikkim. Apart from being the state's administrative and regulatory centre, East Sikkim is also the hub of tourism in the Himalayan region. East Sikkim attracts a huge number of holidaymakers due to its lush vegetation, captivating valleys, beautiful lakes, and several historic monasteries and temples.
GANGTOK
Any page regarding East Sikkim should usually start with Gangtok. It is the capital of Sikkim and, without a doubt, the most glittery and bustling city. Settled at a height of 1650 metres above sea level, Gangtok offers a vibrant nightlife, ample gambling opportunities, a delectable array of delectable cuisine, and a plethora of attractions in the surrounding area to keep the average visitor occupied for two to three days. Once you've arrived in Gangtok, don't miss out on seeing Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Enchey Monastery, White Hall, Tashi View Point, and Himalayan Zoological Park, as well as the Sa Nagor Center and other attractions. At MG Marg, Sikkim's best retail hub, Gangtok provides a thorough adventure... an exciting blend of shopping.
YAKTEN VILLAGE
Yakten, about 34 kilometres from Gangtok, is a little village famed for its pine forests, orchids, beautiful flying animals, and butterflies, as well as a background of transcending green mountains affording panoramic views of Kanchenjunga snow peaks.
There are a few homestays here, the most majority of which are managed covertly by the locals. A nature walk in the woods, through town cottages, talking with locals, hearing the tweeting of flying critters, and watching butterflies and orchids is one of the best things to do here. Bojyetar — an open field land surrounded by pine trees – is one such well-known nature walk. The return journey will take you via woodland pathways. Parakha town, Barapathing, and afterwards Rolep town, where you may promenade along the Rolep river's bank, are other nearby towns worth seeing.
NATHULA PASS (HEIGHT 13,123 FEET)
It is a branch of the historic silk course that survives at the junction of the Indo Chinese fringe. This location now oversees a significant amount of visitor activity, similar to how it used to supervise dealer mobility earlier.
BABA MANDIR
Between the Jelepla Pass and the Nathula Pass, it is located. A visit to the Baba Mandir can be combined with a trip to Nathula Pass and Tsongmo Lake. This Mandir is dedicated to Harbhajan Singh, an Indian Army soldier. This is a holy site that is said to be blessed by Baba Harbhajan Singh's ghost.
THE TSOGMO LAKE/CHANGU LAKE
Changu is about 35 kilometres from Gangtok and offers a stunning view of the Himalayas in its crystal-clear water. Surprisingly, this is one of India's few high-altitude lakes. This lake was also a part of the historic Indo-China trade route. Yak rides all around Changu Lake are a frequent occurrence, as is a visit to the nearby tiny sacred spot, as well as tea, cappuccino, and Tibetan noodles from the local stores. You may also visit the nearby Kyongnosla Sanctuary, which is home to Himalayan Bears, Pandas, and a spectacular collection of orchids.
TUKLA VALLEY
Tukla Valley is a lucky spot with a beautiful environment and breathtaking vistas of snow-capped pinnacles such as Kanchenjunga. Tukla Valley's beauty is comparable to that of the Tibetan excellent lands. A memorial to British troops who fought heroically in the Tukla conflict may be seen here. In the late winters, this valley is completely covered with snow, while in September and October, the abundance of surrounding blooms paints the valley crimson.
The rather regal blue Kupup Lake, popularly known as the Elephant Lake, is another must-see attraction in Tukla Valley. Bitan Cho is how the locals refer to it, and it is one of the region's most popular tourist destinations.
BABA MANDIR (OLD)
The Baba Mandir is located towards the end of a branched street in Tukla, and it is said to house Baba Harbhajan Singh's Samadhi. This Baba was an Indian warrior who died in a terrible accident near there and was revived in the dreams of a single trooper who requested that a sanctuary be created in his honour.
NATHANG VALLEY
The Nathang Valley (also known as Gnathang Valley) is a part of the incredible silk course. It is still 13,500 feet above sea level and was formerly home to Tibetan yak herders. Several streams run across the valley, while masses of petition banners sway at the mountain's slopes. It is stated that the shade of this valley changes with the seasons, and each season reveals a new facet of its beauty.
A flurry of unusual transitory birds flock to the valley just before winter, drawing a slew of ornithologists and photographers. In the Nathang valley, there is a small Hindu shrine and an ancient religious community. The close-by Sunrise observation point, which is 20 minutes distant, may be seen from Nathang valley (5kms). Eagles Nest Bunker, which gives spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga snow mountains, Bhutan, and Tibet, and Sunrise View Point are the two.
RANGPO
Rangpo is a lovely town in East Sikkim that encircles West Bengal. It is situated adjacent to the Teesta River and is the main town in Sikkim on the NH 10 that connects Gangtok and Siliguri. Rangpo is regarded as Sikkim's front entrance, and most cars entering the state must stop here to get their paperwork and ID proofs approved. If you like riding, you may participate in Sikkim's most popular cycling track, which runs from Gangtok to Rangpo. The path winds across rugged Himalayan terrain, with areas of lush greenery in between. Rangpo also has a fantastic river boating sport. The pontoon will transport you from the waterway point at Makha to Sirwani before returning to Rangpo.
MANKHIM, ARITAR AND LAMPOKHERI LAKE
Mankhim is a beautiful ridge in the Dalapchand town in east Sikkim's Rongli division. It's a new location known for its mountain vistas and direct reflection of Lamphokri Lake's emerald green colour. Visitors to Mankhim frequently visit nearby tourist attractions such as Silery Gaon, Pedong, Kalimpong, and Reshikhola, while others plan day trips to high altitude green, Kupup Lake, Zuluk, and other places. The 1.5-kilometer Mankhim to Aritar Lake hike, which is part of an ancient silk route, is the primary attraction here. Aritar, a well-known Sikkim attraction, is only around 4 kilometres from Mankhim.
There is a location called Love Dara on the way to Lampokhri Lake that is a beautiful picnic area, and you will find a lot of flying animal viewers congregating here. Once you've arrived at the lake, you may enjoy paddle drifting and try your hand at mountain climbing in the nearby hills.
ZULUK
Zuluk (or Dzuluk), which lies at a height of 10,000 feet in East Sikkim, is a renowned tourist attraction. Zuluk was the main crossing point on the silk trade route between India and Tibet. Along with an Indian armed force base camp, there is a small village of roughly 700 people. This is also the first location in the silk course to offer house stays. You may stay here and see nearby attractions like Kupup and Nathang Valley. During the summer, Zuluk provides peace, breathtaking vistas, and a plethora of rhododendrons.
RESHI KHOLA
Reshikhola is a riverside retreat located 37 kilometres from Kalimpong. The river Reshi gives this location its name. The word Khola in Nepali refers to a little brook. Between Sikkim and West Bengal is Reshi Khola. The stream valley is surrounded on all sides by backwoods, which are densely forested and teeming with birds, making it a haven for ornithologists and bird watchers.
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