Sikkim is a small tiny state of India in the lap of Himalaya. There are many amazing places to visit in Sikkim such as high rise mountains, meandering streams, lush green tea gardens and forests. It has six districts (formarly four) each is having its uniqueness in term of its offerings to the tourists. Sikkim is most peaceful & politically stable state. Almost 80% of Sikkim is covered with forest which makes it a paradise for nature lovers. Here are the 10 best places to visit in Sikkim with photos.
10 Best Places to Visit in Sikkim with Pictures
List of Tourist Places in Sikkim
- Tsomgo Lake – Gangtok
- Nathula Pass – Gangtok
- Gurudongmar Lake – North Sikkim
- Yumthang Valley – North Sikkim
- Buddha Park – Ravangla
- pemayangtse Monastery – Pelling
- Khecheopalri Lake – Pelling
- Rumtek Monastery – Gangtok
- Namgayal Institute of Tibetology – Gangtok
- Char Dham (Siddheswar Dham) – Namchi
Sikkim Tour Packages
Best Places to Visit in Sikkim with images
Tsomgo Lake – Gangtok
Sikkim tour packages
Gangtok tour package |
3 nights – 4 days | Rs.7,500/- |
Gangtok Darjeeling tour |
5 nights – 6 days | Rs.11,500/- |
Nathula Pass – Gangtok
Gurudongmar Lake – North Sikkim
Yumthang Valley – North Sikkim
North Sikkim Tour Packages
Yumthang Gurudongmar Tour |
3 nights 4 days | Rs.10,000/- |
Lachung Yumthang Tour |
2 nights 3 days | Rs.6,500/- |
Yumthang Valley Tour |
1 night 2 days | Rs.4,000/- |
Buddha Park -Ravangla
Being one of the most well maintained parks in South Sikkim, Buddha Park is a major tourist attraction in Ravangla. Constructed in the year 2006, the park is a government venture to boost pilgrimage tourism. A 130 ft. high a statue of the lord Buddha was installed here to commemorate the event of 2550th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. The park is also known as Tathagata Tsal among the locals. Being home to a Buddhist circuit, this park also has a great spiritual significance.
Best time to visit- October to Mid December for best view
Timing: 09.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs
Pemayangtse Monastery -Pelling
Pemayangtse monastery is a popular Buddhist monastery, situated at a distance of 2 km from Pelling. Lama Lhatsum Chempo Built the monastery in 1705. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. The word Pemayangtse means ‘sublime lotus’ and it is considered to represent one of the four plexus of human body. With its beautiful collection of Buddhist idols, scriptures, sculptures, carvings and paintings, this three storied building is a heavenly place surrounded by magnificent Himalayan ranges of snow-capped mountains. Outside the monastery, there is also a very beautiful picturesque garden well maintained by the monks. Undoubtedly this monastery is one of the must see places when one is in Pelling.
Best time to visit: October to Mid December for best view
Timing: 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs
Kecheopalri Lake -Pelling
At the north-west of Pelling, Kecheopalri Lake is a sacred pilgrimage site in Pelling sightseeing for both Hindus and Buddhists. Believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake, this place is heaven for nature lovers and travellers. Many interesting legends revolve around the origin and history of the lake. The shape of the lake looks like a footprint if viewed from the top. Hindus consider this as the footprint of god Shiva while Buddhists believe it to be the footprint of goddess Tara. Another interesting fact about this lake is that in spite of being situated amidst so mush of greenery, no fallen leaves can be seen floating on its surface. It is said that the birds keep the lake clean all the time. Emerging as a popular tourist attraction in Sikkim, Kecheopalri Lake is visited by pilgrims from all around the world.
Best time to visit- October to Mid December for best view
Rumtek Monastery – Gangtok
Rumten Monastery is 24km away from the city. After Tsomgo Lake it is the most important tourist spot. It also works as the Buddhist head quarter of India. Gyalwa Karmapa constructed the monastery in the year 1960. He was the 16th Karmapa & settled in Sikkim in late fifties. Rumtek is the largest monastery of Sikkim. Just beside the monastery there is Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies with huge collection Buddhist text, art & paintings.
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
Timing: 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology – Gangtok
About one kilometer away from the Gangtok main market there is Namgyal Institute of Tibetology surrounded by magnolia, oak & brich trees. The institute building is a perfect example of Tibetan style of architecture & a major sightseeing point. It is one of the renowned institutes of the world with rare collection of books, documents & manuscripts on Buddhism. There is a huge volume of xylographs (printed wooden documents), translation of original teachings of the Lord Buddha & Buddhist scholars around the world. The institute also conducts research on Buddhism along with Tibetan culture & language. The adjoin museum has a rare collection of antiques like Thankas, coins & Buddhist sculpture. Dalai Lama laid the foundation stone of the institute in 1957 & Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the same in 1958.
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
Timing: 10.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs
Char Dham – Namchi
Char Dham is a temple complex built by Government of Sikkim to promote religious tourism. Another name is Siddheswar Dham. Char Dham is on Solophok Hill at a driving distance of just 5 km from Nanchi in South Sikkim. The main temple is 108 feet high with a large 87 feet high statue of Lord Siva. Along with the Siva statue the comples has replicas of 12 Jyatirlingas. You can also find the replicas of four Hindu religious Dhams namely Badrinath, Rameswaram, Dwarka & Jagannath. It a among popular tourist places to visit in Sikkim.
Best time to visit- October to Mid December for best view
Timing: 08.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs
Sikkim Tour Packages
Alpine North Sikkim Tour |
7 nights 8 days | Rs.18,500/- |
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour |
6 nights 7 days | Rs.13,500/- |
Gangtok Pelling Tour |
5 night 6 days | Rs.11,500/- |
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Sikkim Permit & formalities for foreigners
Foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) previously known as Inner Line Permit (ILP) for to enter Sikkim. You can obtain an RAP by providing 02 photocopies of Passport & Visa along with 02 passport size photographs. Permit will be available offices at Sikkim tourism offices at Delhi, Kolkata, Siliguri, Bagdogra Airport, NJP railway station, Rongpo & Darjeeling.
Foreigners also need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Tsomgo Lake & North Sikkim. Permit can can be obtained from Sikkim Tourism Office in Gangtok.
Note
- Foreigners cannot go to Nathula Pass or Baba Mandir. They can go up to Tsomgo Lake.
- In North Sikkim foreigners are permitted to go up to Thangu Valley & Yumthang Valley. They cannot visit Gurudongmar Lake, Zero Point, Katao etc.
- Foreigners must apply for PAP through a registered Tour operator/ Travel agent only, in a group of minimum two people.
- Hiring a local guide is compulsory while visiting protected areas.
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