Pakyong Airport has several accolades attached to it. It is Sikkim’s only airport. It is the first north-eastern airport in India under the Greenfield Project. It has to its credit the distinction of being India’s 100^th operational airport. It is also one of the highest airports in India (at 5^th spot) at an altitude of 4646 ft. Due to its location, it is one of the most scenic airports in India. It is at a distance of some 31 km from the state’s capital Gangtok.

Even though it is touted as 100^th Operational Airport in India, its short history is rife with turbulence; both literally and figuratively.

Pakyong Airport History

Inaugurated as September 2018 was coming to a close, commercial operations at the Pakyong Airport began 10 days later on 4^th October. But smooth operations eluded it. It wasn’t able to handle high turbulence and bad weather conditions. Visibility issues continued at the airport and one SpiceJet commercial flight that operated from here suspended its services. It remained closed for almost 19 months before the airline

resumed its services. But not before the airport adopted Required Navigation Performance or RNP approaches instead of previous status of that of a Visual Flight Rules or VFR airport.

Significance of Pakyong Airport

Sikkim remained the sole state in India without a functional airport (and till 2018!). Anyone who wanted to visit Sikkim by air had to contend with flying to the nearest airport at Bagdogra in West Bengal. Then you had to travel by road to Sikkim; some 124 km or so. Even though there is minimal flight connectivity to Sikkim; at least now you can fly directly into the state without having to go via road after landing at Bagdogra. The first flight connectivity was between Kolkata to Gangtok and then for Guwahati to Gangtok. Now SpiceJet offers non-stop flights to Gangtok from other cities such as Delhi and Mumbai as well. It also offers connecting flights for some routes such as Hyderabad-Pakyong.

Its vicinity to the Indo-China border (some 60 km away) also makes it a very strategically significant airport.

Visiting Sikkim

If you are planning to visit the spectacularly beautiful state of Sikkim, you have the option to fly directly to Pakyong Airport. You can take flights to Kolkata, Delhi, or Mumbai and then fly to Gangtok in case your destination doesn’t offer direct connectivity with Pakyong Airport. Flying to Bagdogra is still a good option as you will have more flight options.

If you are visiting from the US, you can book your flights to India via Indian Eagle. Once you land in the country, you have multiple options to travel to Sikkim.

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Sikkim is one of the most spellbinding tourist destinations in India. It is a perfectly landlocked place with ultimate scenic beauty all around, soothing your mind and freeing you from the mental, physical, and emotional stress in your daily life. Not only does Sikkim has some of the most stunning sights, but it also offers a blissful experience of snowfall during the peak season. Here are some of the top tourist places to visit in Sikkim on your next (or first) visit.

Tsomgo Lake

Situated 38 KM from Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, Tsomgo Lake is a popular place you will definitely find on the Sikkim tourist map. The snaky roads cutting rocky and strident mountains heading you to Tsomgo Lake is itself an adventurous ride.

Major Attractions

• Brahmini, the migratory ducks
• Pony and Yak rides
• Superb flowers like Yellow and Blue Poppies, Irish and Primulas.

Additional information: Avoid late night travel, as the roads are not in perfect state.

How to Reach: You can get a cab from Gangtok that takes 2 hours to Tsomgo Lake

Best time: For snow – January to March; for Rhododendrons – April to May; For Orchids – October to December.

Yuksom

An old historic town in western Sikkim, Yuksom is the center of the no-interference trail for trek lovers. The old town is blessed with immense scenic beauty, so if peace and nature are all that you seek, Yuksom is the place.

Major Attractions

• Historic Norbugang Park
• Tashi Tenka, a historic royal palace offering stunning views
• Dubdi Gompa, the oldest monastery
• Goechala Trek
• Kanchenjunga National Park
• Kathok Wodsalin Gompa, recently built monastery having an idol of Guru Padmasambhava

Additional information: Be careful while crossing the poor lighting on the roads at night.

How to reach: 6 to 7 hours journey from Jalpaiguri (nearest railway station) via Jorethang. Bagdogra is the nearest airport that is at a distance of 12 KM from Siliguri and 170 KM from Yuksom.

Best time: September to November and March to June

Nathula Pass

Situated in the Himalayas, Nathula Pass is the connecting border between India and Tibet, at a height of 4,310 m above sea level, It is a part of the side-shoot of Silk Road (the pre-historic road). On a trip to Sikkim and missing out on Nathula Pass is no less than a sin. It is one of the places you are sure to find while going through the photos of Sikkim tourist places online.

Major Attractions

• Mount Chomolhari
• A War memorial
• India and China border gates
• Yak Safari
• Indian Army exhibition Center

Additional information: Over a height, the oxygen levels turn low and you might also get stuck in traffic jams due to unfavorable climatic conditions.

How to Reach: If traveling by road, Nathula Pass is at a distance of 4-5 hours from eastern Gangtok. For train travel, the nearest railway station is Siliguri; from here, it will take 4.5 hours by road. Bagdogra is the nearest airport at a distance of 190 km from Nathula.

Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang Valley

Lachen is one of the places to visit in North Sikkim and is considered to be the shelter for Tibetan nomadic tribes in winters. Coming to Lachung, it is another village of Bhutia and Tibetan people, located at a high altitude in the areas of northern Sikkim. Yumthang is an awe-strikingly amazing valley encompassed by snow-covered mountains. You must plan a day or two for northern Sikkim and cover all three of these tourist places.

Major Attractions

• Lachung Gompa, the largest Buddhist shrine
• Gurudongmar Lake, frozen in winters
• The scenic beauty of the journey to Gurodongmar Lake
• Lachung monastery, Lachung village and its handicrafts
• Kabru, Mount Pandim, Mount Simyo, Mount Siniolchu, Mount Jopuno, and Mount Kanchenjunga on the way to Gangtok Rhododendron Sanctuary
• Zero Point – Yumesamdong

Additional information: Be cautious in low oxygen levels

How to Reach: Rent a cab or taxi from New Jalpaiguri, the nearest railway station.

Best Time:  December to January (Snowfall), March to June (pleasant weather)

Ravangla

Surrounded by dense forests and fantastically balanced on a ridge, Ravangla offers the ultimate mountain views of western Sikkim. It is one of the top tourist places in Sikkim that attracts nature lovers in large numbers every year. You can travel via business class flights to enjoy the view.

Major Attractions

• Pang Lhabsol, which displays songs and religious prayers
• Tathagata Tsal, a Buddhist park
• Mane Choekhorling Gompa
• Hikes and treks

Additional information: Beware of wild animals as the forests are too dense.

How to Reach: Drive or rent a cab from Jalpaiguri, the nearest railway station at a distance of 94 KM.

Best time: March to June

Gangtok

Being the capital of Sikkim state, Gangtok is one of the most important cities in India and one of the first places to see in Sikkim.  Because of its altitude, it is graced by clouds most of the year, giving its landscapes a mysterious beauty that will stay in your mind forever. It is known for both its cultural as well as historical significance. Also, keeping Gangtok as base, you can visit the Sikkim points of interest, that is Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Siliguri in the Indian state of West Bengal. 

Major Attractions

• Incredible views of Mount Kanchenjunga 
• Black Cat Museum
• The Tashi Viewpoint 
• Hiking, trekking, and camping 

Additional information: Beware of altitude sickness.

How to Reach: Drive or rent a cab from Bagdogra airport, about 4 hours away from Gangtok.

Best time: September to October and March to June

Pelling

After Gangtok, Pelling should be your next place on the sight-seeing list. It is a hill station in the Indian state of Sikkim that is still, even today, obscured from crowds and actually a very peaceful and quiet place to be, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There are incredible and picturesque views here of the Himalayas and the surrounding landscape. 

Major Attractions

• The peaceful and calm Khecheopalri Lake/Wishing Lake of Sikkim 
• The gushing Kanchenjunga and Rimbhi Waterfalls 
• The quiet of the Pemayangtse Monastery
• The historical beauty of the Rabdentse ruins 

Additional information: Beware of altitude sickness 

How to reach: The New Jalpaiguri railway station is at a distance of 152 km from Pelling. 

Best time: February to May and September to December 

As a tourist in the post-pandemic era, you might be asking a very vital question: “Is Sikkim safe to travel?” As of April 2022, visitors to Sikkim need to carry vaccination certificates and need to take an RT-PCR test. Partially vaccinated visitors need to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel. All vaccinated passengers must fill in the details for generating a Travel Card. 

Whenever you plan a trip to northeastern India, do not forget to include these top tourist places to visit in Sikkim in your list of itineraries. If you are looking for the best air travel to fly to Sikkim, check out Indian Eagle and book flights to India, and explore this beauty.

–Travel Diary

The post 7 Top Tourists Places to Visit in Sikkim appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

India is a vast country and enjoys diverse geographical landscapes. Luckily, cherry blossoms are also a part of its beautiful vegetation. It looks breath-taking when a place is filled with splashes of white and pale pink. It works as an excellent backdrop when you want to just sit and relax during a trip. Although cherry blossom in India flower during November, you can plan a trip ahead so that you can make the most of your time.

If you love admiring these awe-inspiring blooms, here are some places to visit to see cherry blossom in India:

• Meghalaya
• Sikkim
• Nagaland
• Himachal Pradesh
• Karnataka

Meghalaya

As a reminder that spring is just around the corner, cherry blossoms start flowering all across the Khasi Hills in northeast India. During the month of November, these are in full bloom and are a sight to watch. The city of Shillong hosts an amazing International Cherry Blossom Festival during this month every year. You can enjoy the mouth-watering local cuisine, traditional dance, music, exciting pageants and an array of other cultural events here.

Sikkim

The people of Sikkim also enjoy the awe-striking site of these beautiful flowers. The Khangchendzonga National Park is a tourist hotspot located in the north of the state that is especially known for these blooms. The cherry blossoms in Sikkim differ a little from those found in Japan although these belong to the same genus and are equally gorgeous.

Nagaland

A clear blue sky and fully bloomed cherry blossoms are a sight to see in Kohima, Nagaland. There are many gardens in this city where you can arrange a small picnic. What’s better than watching the sunset at a serene place with vibrant flowers as the backdrop? You can also check out ‘The Heritage’, which is an erstwhile bungalow of the colonial times.

Himachal Pradesh

If you are in India during March, you are in for a real treat as the Mashobra village in Shimla has fully blooming orchards of cherry blossoms. You can also see the beautiful peach, pear, apple, plum and apricot orchards here. You can also opt for a hike to Narkanda and enjoy the spectacular views and Himachali hospitality. Dharamshala is another popular town that is known to have some beautiful cherry blossom plants.

Karnataka

The city of Bangalore is covered in hues of pink as spring begins and the cherry blossom trees start blooming. The locals can be seen enjoying the amazing views during early mornings or late afternoons. Cherry blossoms in Bangalore are a sight to behold as the crowded city turns picturesque during this time of year. If you plan to visit the city to watch these gorgeous florals, you can book cheap flights to Bangalore now to save more on your travel expenses.

Are you also a fan of these beautiful florals? The season for cherry blossom in India is generally around November and these places turn even prettier during this month. You can pluck a few flowers or capture them in your camera forever. What will you do when you see these beauties?

You can now book cheap flights to New Delhi through Indian Eagle and start discovering the natural beauty of our country while saving more.

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