By Pankaj Rai Chaudhary
Every travel saga has something special to offer but some instances we experience whilst travelling end up fully blowing us away, in ways that we had never have expected. Travelling is always considered rejuvenating and it gives us some fond memories to cherish our whole life. Visiting a destination, be it explored or unexplored, it will always have something wonderful to offer to all the travellers out there.
In order to take a break from my daily routine, I set out to take a revitalizing and peaceful escape to Sikkim, one of the most beautiful Indian states located in the region of the Himalayas.
It is often said that good things come in small packages; Sikkim proved that in all sense. Though the place might experience humidity on some days, I was lucky enough to experience lovely and welcoming weather throughout my stay over there.
With its rich heritage to the extremely warm hospitality of the people, Sikkim has everything which one desires on a vacation. With its exquisite places worth a visit once in a lifetime, this magnificent state has loads of things distinctive to boast about. From the statue of Guru Padmasambhava, Sikkim’s patron saint in Namchi to the lovely Rhododendron sanctuary the sanctum with a wide variety of the state flower, World’s third-highest peak, Mount Kanchenjunga, many sacred and vibrant Buddhist monasteries, the beautiful green valleys and rivers and the Sikkim special hot springs, tranquil and unexplored places suitable for the village and ecotourism, a range of hills that is perfectly suited for adventure sports. There is no wonder why Sikkim is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India.
The gateway to Sikkim is through its capital city, Gangtok, which was the first stop on my itinerary. As I cross over the border and into the tiny state, the difference I felt was something which I could never experience by living in a metropolitan city. The air was not only cooler but crispier too making the journey furthermore refreshing.
And my first station was the little town of Rangpo, a flawlessly clean place which was some kilometres after crossing the border. It felt as if those few kilometres across the border took me on to another part of the world. From orderly arranged houses around a wide town square to tidy shop fronts, the place promises to offer you mesmerizing experience.
People of Sikkim takes pride in themselves for their orderliness and the trait got more and more evident when I approached the capital city. Gangtok is an exceptional tourist destination reflecting its beautiful mix of folklore and modernity. The city rises in tiers along the sides of a high hillock, set between two deep valleys. Each tier of the hill becoming narrower and narrower; from the bazaars and vehicle stands at the base to the royal palace along the thin ridge at the very top. Gangtok situated in the southeast region of Sikkim is the most developed city having a large number of hotels, restaurants, tour agencies and internet cafes.
Travellers can keep themselves engaged within the city by taking a bracing walk from the base of the hill to the top of the ridge either along the gently rising roads or by the stone stairways that pass through beautifully laid out gardens. They can shop for curios in the colourful bazaars at Lall Market or New Market. Or they can visit the Buddhist monasteries and stupas that dot the city. Nonetheless, the bona fide Sikkim unfolds simply as one travels away from the capital city.
The tourist season is from April to October and Durga Pooja holidays being the peak. To get to Sikkim, the nearest airport is Bagdogra (near Siliguri) and the nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri. The journey to Sikkim is mostly by road (Siliguri to Gangtok — 125 kms — covered in 4 hours). Daily bus services are available from Siliguri to Gangtok and Jorethang. Foreigners require a special permit (for 15 days stay), which is easily available from all Indian missions abroad.
Sikkim is hovering to develop into the foremost state in India to go wholly organic in terms of manufacture and utilization of food material. The switch is already evident in the local markets, where raw manufacture seems to be outshining the non-organic. Needless to say, trip to Sikkim will be the best opportunity to detoxify, indulge in a relaxing vacation and eat your way to good health. If you are on a watch out for adventure activities or wish to rejuvenate yourself religiously or merely feel like relaxing your mind by staying close to nature, Sikkim makes it a perfect travel destination for you.
The writer is Delhi based PR Executive.
