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.
