Sikkim Travel Destinations

The visitor to Sikkim will be spoilt for choice with each of the four districts offering a unique travel opportunity. 

East Sikkim

The east district is the most populated with Gangtok being the main administrative and business centre. Apart from the modern attractions of the capital town, in the east you will also find the beautiful Tsomgo Lake, the historically important Nathula pass, as well as many monasteries and temples. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and heart of all the business hubs.

West Sikkim

West Sikkim is replete with history and religion. This is where the first Chogyal of Sikkim was consecrated at Yuksum in 1642 and this is where some of the holiest and most important monasteries of Sikkim were established, including Dubdi and Sanga Choling, the first monasteries to be built in Sikkim. West Sikkim is beautiful terrain abounding in lakes and waterfalls and also has great trekking routes. Gyalshing is the head quarter and town of the West District.

South Sikkim

South Sikkim, the smallest district belies its size with its variety of tourist attractions. With stupendous view of the Khangchendzonga range, the south of Sikkim is a fairy tale land of picturesque villages and high hills. Near Namchi, the district headquarters is Samdruptse Hill, the site of the 135 feet tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava. In the south too are Tendong Hill and Maenam Hill, of mythical importance to the Lepchas and Bhutias, as well as the tourist destination of Ravangla which hosts the annual Pang Lhabsol festival with great pageantry. Namchi is the district headquarter of South Sikkim which is 78 kms from Gangtok.

North Sikkim

Perhaps the most beautiful of the districts, the North offers an exquisite experience for the lover of Nature and alpine scenery. Yumthang alone is enough to satiate the most demanding, with its panoramic Valley of Flowers. During springtime the lush meadows abound with delicate wildflowers that carpet the Valley floor in a rich riot of colors. A must-see here are the Hot Springs and the vibrant Sikkimese tribal culture and customs. 67 kms from Gangtok is the Mangan District Headquarter of North District.

Travel Destinations East Sikkim

Aritar

Aritar (Altitude - 5,100 ft), located under Rongli Sub-Division, in East Sikkim. Is a fascinating place, combining history, and unspoiled its natural and landscaped beauty.Hedged in near the trijunction of Sikkim, Bhutan and West Bengal. Aritar is surrounded by the lush green forests, sweeping paddy fields and placid lakes hidden among the foliage. The breath-taking panorama of the entire Khangchendzonga Rangelies to its west, misty passesnof Nathula and Jelepla in the east and vast plains of the Dooars and North Bengal fall to the South. The Crowning glory of Aritar is the LampokhriLake (known as Ghati Tso by the Bhutias). Nestlings amidst groves of evergreen trees in serene environs, Sikkim’s oldest natural lake at an altitude of 4600 fts is arguably its greatest assets This serene Lake, 350 metres x 75 metres surrounded by greenery all around. Setting it above and apart from the hustle and jostling tourist downtown and offering a visual treat of specticular lakes, mountain vistas, with the ridge that definesSikkim stretching away below. The view in without doubt one of the most memorable in the world. While chirping of exotic himalayan birds and soothing sound of rippling water adds life to the natural beauty.  Shaped like a human foot, this natural lake has recently been provided with artificial embankments, to facilitate boating, a first for Sikkim.Welcome to Heaven on Earth.

It is located on the edge of the Himalayas, and can be reached in from Gangtok, Kalimpong, New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra.

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is quite a distance from Aritar and it the habitat of rare Red Panda. The valley also has flowering plant such as Rhododendron, Mangnolia etc.

Places of Interest in Aritar :-

Lampokhari : Initially one of the oldest natural lake in Sikkim and recently artificially constructed to facilitate boating for the tourists. At an altitude of 4600 ft (1,400 m) it is the only lake with boating facility in Sikkim.

Dak Bunglow : Popularly known as Ari-Bangla it is an old British built bunglow built by Sir James Claude White (first political officer of Sikkim during British rule in India) in the year 1895. At the same premises Sikkim’s first treasury was built as well as Sikkim Police was raised and the first outpost started functioning in the year 1897.

Aritar Gumpa : A monastery of the Kagyuapa order,considered as one of the holiest and oldest in Sikkim.The visitor’s can imbibe the tranquil air with splendour of monastic arts reflected in its traditional architecture, carved & painted murals and treasure of manuscripts and icons.

Parbateyswar Shivalaya Mandir : The most venerated shrine with picturesque splendour is considered a very holy pilgrimage site, where thousands of devotees throng for the blessing and participate during the month of “SAWAN” to offer water and sip the sacred water from a sacred vessel.

Mankhim: “Mangkhim”, a Temple of the Rai of Nepali origin is located at a height of 6500 ft at “Maity Village” (Kheselakha) . Hattipailay is another virgin village where the visitors can see elephant footprints on rock.

Nirmal Dham : This place situated about 5 km (approx) from Rhenock Bazar, is an abode of “Nirmal Guruji” (a.k.a.) “ Kopchey Baba”, known for his miraculous healing power, which has attracted hundreds of devotees from all over India and neighboring countries.

Ever green nursery & Ram Gauri Sangrhalaya : Located at Rhenock Bazar, the nursery and museum is privately owned and has drift wood collections, botanical & other varieties of flowers.

Kali khola falls (Lonely falls) : 100 m in height (Rorathang-Rongli road).

Changey water fall : 50 m in height (Near Lampokhari).

Lungchok valley : Trekking destination (Lokdara, Chujachen).

Love Dara : Low hill picnic spot. Aritar.

Phursey Lake: Phursey Lake is located few km uphill from aritar is a isolated jungle, where a years old logs stands still delivering nice reflection on the water.

Tsangu Lake or Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake is a glacial lake in East Sikkim, some 40 kilometres away from Gangtok at altitude of 3780 m (12400 ft). Most parts of the year it remains covered with ice. Below is a picture with snowfalls on the shrubs with part of the Lake in the background in the end of December.

Nathu La(La meaning Pass in Tibetian) is 54 km east of the Sikkimese capital, Gangtok, and 430 km from the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Lhasa. The pass, located at an elevation of 4,310 m (14,200 feet) above mean sea level, forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route. This route is now open for trading between India and China after being closed for more than 40 years. The pass is open only to Indian nationals.

Baba Mandir is built as a memory for CAPTAIN "Baba" Harbhajan Singh, an Indian army soldier who died near the Nathula Pass in Eastern Sikkim, India. He is respected by all the solders of the Indian army. Every year on September 14, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in Kapurthala district in Punjab. As per train rule the train reserved seat never left blank, but for baba reservation is done to travel him at his home town every year with solders to drop Baba at his home town. A small sum is also sent to his mother each month.

Trekking and Adventure at Aitar

Aritar also offers to trekking to virgin forest and the trek starts from Lampokhari to Phurssey lake takes you to Gorujurey (A Silent valley) where a view tower has been built to view the scenic beauty of the surrounding areas. Still further trek lead to Rochela, the historical trip-junction boarder ofSikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan. It is one of the most beautiful trekking route in Sikkim.

Rachella: Trekking to Rachella is indeed an another splendid experience.

Package Tours & Trekkings Organised by SUPPORT TOURISM

Package tours are arranged to Zuluk, Kupup, Tsanghmo Lake, Reshi, Pedong Lava Etc. Trekking to Rachela and Phushrey Lake. Pickup and Drop From New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, Bagdogra Airport & Siliguri.

Suggested Tour Itineraries:

02 Nights and 03 Days
Day 01 : Transfer from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand to Aritar.
Day 02 : Aritar Local Sight Seeing.
Day 03 : Transfer from Aritar to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand.

03 Nights and 04 Days
Day 01 : Transfer from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand to Aritar.
Day 02 : Aritar Local Sight Seeing.

Day 03 : Ariter to  Zuluk-jelepla,kupuk,Nathang, tukla valley, Baba Mandir,Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Boarder.

Day 04 : Transfer from Aritar to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand.

03 Nights and 04 Days

Day 01 : Transfer from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand to Sillery Gaon.

Day 02 : Sillery Gaon to Aritar.

Day 03 : Ariter to Zuluk-jelepla,kupuk,Nathang, tukla valley, Baba Mandir, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Boarder. Night Stay at Zuluk.

Day 04 : Transfer from Zuluk to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand.

05 Nights and 06 Days

Day 01 : Transfer from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand to Sillery Gaon.

Day 02 : Sillery Gaon to Reshi.

Day 03 : Reshi to Aritar.

Day 04 : Aritar to padamchen.

Day 05 : Padamchen to Zuluk.

Day 06 : Transfer from Zuluk to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand.

Package for Student Group

04 Nights and 05 Days

Day 01 : Transfer from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand to Aritar.

Day 02 : Aritar Local Sight Seeing, Nature trail and Boating.

Day 03 : Ariter to Zuluk-jelepla,kupuk,Nathang, tukla valley, Baba Mandir, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Boarder.

Day 04 : Soft trek to Phursey Lake.

Day 05 : Transfer from Aritar to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/Bagdogra Airport/Siliguri Bus Stand.

As per group requirement we can also arrange white water rafting but guest has to confirm us at the time of booking only.

For any type of queries please don't hesitate to contact us in our 24 x 7 Nos. +91 80172 55157, +91 94740 32135 or you can mail us at info@supporttourism.in or you can reach us through www.supporttourism.in