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Sikkim Fact |
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Statehood: 22nd State of
India (1975) Prior to that it was a Separate
Kingdom. |
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Capital: Gangtok |
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Area: 7096 sq kms |
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Location: Sandwiched
between Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west and
China (Tibet) in the north and a sister state of
West Bengal in the south. 28 Deg 07' 48'' to 27 deg
04' 46'' north latitude, and 88 deg 00' 58' to 88
deg 55' 25'' east longitude. |
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Ethnic Groups: Lepchas, Nepalis and Bhutias |
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Population: 5,70,007 |
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Language: Nepali is a
primary language widely spoken by all communities,
English and Hindi are well understood and are spoken
by most, Bhutia, Lepcha, Limboo and other ethnic
languages are spoken by respective communities. |
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Religion: Mahayana Buddhism, Hinduism,
Christianity and other religion are also practiced. |
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Airport: Bagdogra Airport (Siliguri)-
4 hours drive - 124 Kms |
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Railway Station: NJP Railway
Station (Siliguri) - 4 hours / 115Kms |
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Heliservice: Gangtok - daily chopper service
to Bagdogra Arprt-45 Mins |
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Best Time to Visit: Other
than the peak monsoons of July and August till mid
September, Sikkim can no doubt be visited through
most part of the year. However if you are specific,
then March and April be the best time to see
rhododendrons in bloom at Yumthang Valley, you will
also be able to play with snows within a comfortable
altitudes like Nathula and Baba Mandir almost till
mid June. These period is also suitable for
trekkers. Mid September to mid December has pleasant
weather and usually sees clear skies and great
mountain views, January and February are may be very
cold but this is when you get to witness most of the
fairs and festival in Sikkim |
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Clothing: When traveling
to Sikkim it is always suggest that you bring couple
of warm clothes no matter in what season you visit.
Though most of your base destinations are below
7000ft and may not necessarily require warm clothes,
atleast in summer months, most of your
excursions,however, are located in higher altitudes
like Nathula Pass14,400ft, Tsangu Lake 12,000 ft Yumthang 12,400ft and Gurudongmar lake 17,000ft
where you cannot do without heavy woolen clothes
becomes a must. |
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 Permits and Entry details:
Domestic Tourists: Domestic clients do not
require any permit to visit Sikkim. However to visit
few restricted areas under army control like-
Tshangu, Nathula, Yumthang, Dzongu, ILP (Inner line
Permit) needs to be obtained. Hence all domestic
tourists should be advised to carry some
identification. (TPS will however take care of all
permit procurement processes) |
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Foreign Tourists: Besides
a valid passport and an Indian visa, foreign
tourists need to obtain Inner Line Permits to enter
any part of Sikkim. All Indian missions abroad can
issue a 15 days ILP for Sikkim which can be stamped
on the passport on request at the time of obtaining
an Indian Visa. However they can also be obtained
from any Sikkim Tourism Offices at New Delhi,
Kolkatta, Siliguri or Rangpo if they are already in
India. The initial permit allows only 15 days of
stay in Sikkim. However, maximum of 2 further
extension of 15 days each is allowed which can be
obtained from the Foreigner's Registration Office at
Gangtok. Further, foreigners will also require to
obtain PAP (Protected Area Permit) if he/she wants
to opt for trekking in any part of protected areas
oSikkim. The local Travel Agents will however assist
the guests in permit procurement process. |
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Few Tips to Remember |
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*When traveling to Sikkim,
it is always advised that you avoid traveling in 11
head as all vehicles in Sikkim are strictly 10
seater vehicles, the eleventh member in the group
therefore usually ends up traveling alone |
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*The same is the case for
the local sightseeings at Gangtok where you may have
a problem if you are traveling in 5 heads as all the
cabs are strictly 4 seater. |
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*If you are traveling anywhere
between mid June to mid Sept, then an umbrella is a
must.. |
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