Sikkim

Sikkim

While planning your list of excursions around Darjeeling , remember to include a visit to the beautiful land of Sikkim . The small state of Sikkim in India is just adjacent to the state of West Bengal. It is a land of lofty mountains with snow-capped peaks, torrential rivers, dense greenery and placid lakes. A visit to this fascinating world of wonder is sure to ward off all your fatigue and present you with a heaven of peace and serenity.

There is so much to see and do in Sikkim that you need at least three days' time to visit the major parts of the state. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok which is quite close to Darjeeling. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim near Darjeeling offers unending stretches of wild nature and a bright blue firmament outlined by rugged mountain peaks. The highest peak of India and third highest peak of the world, the Kanchenjunga, is located in the Nepal Sikkim border. The immense beauty of the snow-clad Kanchenjunga range is a feast to the eyes and a solace to the mind—in fact; many tourists go to Sikkim to catch a closer glimpse of this beautiful natural asset of India.

The dense forests of Sikkim mainly comprise of gigantic oaks, maple birch, silver fir and sal. The lush greenery and cool shade of the naturally growing trees invite you to a wilderness that is nature's own treasure. The wilder mountainous areas are the homes of the rare species of snow leopard, red panda, musk deer and the Himalayan black bear. There are also a number of colorful birds which you can see chirping and hopping on the trees and plants.

River Teesta is the main river of this state. It flows along the mountains, down the valleys in its torrential flow, washing the whole Sikkim . Fed by the melting glaciers, the river Teesta is filled to the brim through out the year. There are little lakes all over Sikkim . These calm beautiful small lakes are either rain-fed or snow-fed.

There are a lot to see in Sikkim with the presence of over 200 monasteries. Quiet and spiritual places, these monasteries attract a lot of tourists through out the year. The monasteries remain vibrant and colorful with lamps and the interiors made from red silk and brocade.

Sikkim —the land of melting glaciers, towering oaks, gurgling waterfalls and rippling rivers—it is a perfect tourist destination for tired city dwellers.

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