Sikkim
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Sikkim Travel Information
Sikkim Travel Information
Area : 7300 sq. kms.
Population : 4,21,500
Climate : Summer: Max. 20.7°C; Min. 13.1°C Winter : Max. 14.9°C;
Min. 7.7°C
Best Season : March to late May/October to December
Clothing : Summer: Light Woollens Winter: Heavy Woollens
Language : Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, Spoken English, Hindi
Access
:
From Kathmandu, fly to Bhadrapur in the east Nepal (1 hour), then drive to Kakarbhitta
(Nepal-India border, 34 km), to Siliguri (36 km) and to Gangtok (110 km, 3 hours
30 minutes). Gangtok is also connected by road with Darjeeling (5 hours) and
Bhutan (7 hours). The closest Indian airport is at Bagdogra, 124 km from Gangtok,
where scheduled flights operate from Kolkata, new Delhi and Guwahati. Taxis
for Gangtok (4 hours) are available at the airport. Grand Sikkim Tourism development
Corporation also operates daily helicopter flights from Bagdogra airport to
Gangtok (20 minutes).The closest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri
(121 km) which are connected to Kolkata,New delhi, Guwahati and other major
Indian cities. Taxis and buses for Gangtok are available at Siliguri.
Season :
March-May and October-December are the best times to visit. Bring light woolen
clothing during summer ( maximum temperature 20.7 degrees Celsius) and heavy
woolen during winter (minimum 7.7 degrees).
Adventure :
Trekking, mountaineering, rafting and yak safari.
Accomodation :
There are modern hotels and restaurants in Gangtok. Comfortable resort lodges
are available in the outlying areas.
How To Reach Sikkim
Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra in North Bengal, 124 km from Gangtok,
Sikkim's capital. Indian Airlines operates flights from Calcutta, Delhi, Patna,
Imphal and Guwahati.
Rail : The nearest railheads are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri, 114 km
and 126 km respectively, from Gangtok.
Road : Gangtok is well connected by road with Calcutta (721 km), Darjeeling
(139 km), Guwahati (589 km) and Patna (584 km).
The saying 'Small is beautiful', is amply demonstrated by the tiny mountain
state of Sikkim. With the grandeur of her mountain peaks, verdant valleys, fast
flowing rivers, terraced hills and floral wealth, a visit to Sikkim is a rare
and unique experience. Situated on the eastern Himalayas, in the shadow of the
towering Mount Kanchenjunga, which is worshipped as the principal deity, Sikkim
measures approximately 100 kms from north to south, and 60 kms from east to
west.
Entry Formalities
Foreigners must obtain an Inner Line permit from the Home Ministry, New Delhi,
four weeks in advance. They should apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government
of India, New Delhi through the Indian Diplomatic Missions in their respective
countries. A copy should be endorsed to Grand Sikkim Tourism, Room No. 10, Hotel
Janpath, New Delhi to expedite matters. This permit will allow them to stay
for seven days in case of sightseeing, and ten days for group-trekkers, not
exceeding twenty.
Watching
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