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Zero Point, Sikkim-The Indo-China border
Sikkim is an incredibly beautiful state and every place here exudes an enigmatic grandeur. One among them is Zero Point. Husband and I were eager to visit this place as we were intrigued to know how it feels at the last outpost of civilization in knee deep snow. Since my late father-in-law had served in NEFA valley, his son wanted to see a similar place where he was posted. Zero Point undoubtedly topped the list. This is an ode to the Indian Army at Zero Point, Sikkim which operates in harsh conditions, guarding the Indo-China border 24*7. Permits and restrictions Mind you, foreign nationals require Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any part…
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24 hours in Gangtok
Gangtok, the gateway to the heavenly North East India and the capital of Sikkim, offers a plethora of wonders for tourist. From tranquil monasteries and exotic mountains to exciting adventure parks, Gangtok has it all. On an average, sightseeing in and around the city would take two days. Here is what to do if you have 24 hours in Gangtok. 1. Chorten Gumpa Do-drul Chorten is a stupa was built by Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa lie a complete set of Dorjee Phurba (dagger spike), Kangyur relics (holy books) and other religious objects. Around the stupa are 108 prayer wheels.…
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Rumtek Monastery is your Sikkim Travel inspiration
Visiting temples or monasteries rarely make it to my priority list unless they are exceptional. Never had I thought about seeing any monastery on my trip to Sikkim. However, after reading about the unique History and having heard a lot from the locals, husband and I made quick plan to visit Rumtek; the largest and most popular monastery of Sikkim. 22 km from the capital, Rumtek stands at an altitude of 4900 feet against the backdrop of the beautiful Himalayan Range. Made in mid 1700, Rumtek is home to hundreds of monks with a long history of clashes over stewardship of the monastery and its contents. Heavily guarded by ITBP,…
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A perfect itinerary of North Sikkim
Sikkim, the jewel of North East, is a small state yet has so much to offer. Explore more about North Sikkim with the best itinerary right here. Things you need to know planning North Sikkim trip -A non resident of the state cannot travel to the northern part of Sikkim. To enter the borders of North Sikkim, you need a permit, which would be obtained by your travel agent or driver.-In case you are a biker, you have to arrange for your permits through an authorized travel agency.-Carrying plastic water bottles in North Sikkim is not allowed. Hence carry your own sipper or water bottles. A surprise check may lead…
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All about planning a trip to Nathula Pass
Sikkim was one hell of a trip for us (husband and me). While searching for Sikkim tour places, Nathula made it to top priority list. Here is what you need to know about planning a trip to Nathula Pass. TRANSPORT Since there were a lot of surprises and changes in plan, I wasn’t sure if we would be able to make here as Gangtok to Nathula pass taxi fares were high. At last we found a travel agent in Gangtok Gandhi market, who made necessary arrangements at 1000 INR per person. (It varies between Rs 700-1000 depending on the season.) Booking a whole taxi costs around Rs 2500 which is recommended…
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Gurudongmar- The jewel of North Sikkim
When a sparkling blue lake in the middle of a cold desert with crystal clear sky above leaves you in tears, you know you are at Gurudongmar lake, the jewel of North Sikkim. Dramatically perched atop cascading hills, 18000 feet above sea level, the place makes you breathless, literally. Even the harsh terrain, sub-zero temperature and close proximity to China do not deter people from visiting this gem of North Sikkim. After having heard so much about this gorgeous place, husband and I finally made it there. As beautiful as this place looks, it is equally difficult to reach. Here is how you can plan your journey to Gurudongmar Lake.…
