Sikkim

Pilgrimage
 Rinchenpong
Location - On a hill above Rinchenpong town
Foundation - 1772
Rinchenpong Monastery is situated at the giddying height of 5,500ft. The third oldest monastery
in Sikkim is perched on a mountain trail and offers a brilliant view of the Kanchenjunga. Besides
the picturesque location, this gompa has a statue one doesn’t find in most other monasteries- Ati
Buddha seated in the Yab-Yum position. For nearly three centuries, this monastery has been part
of Rinchenpong village and if you want to cover the heritage circuit of Sikkim, there’s no way
you can skip this one.
Everywhere in Sikkim, the beauty of a monastery is somehow heightened by the village.
Rinchenpong is a quaint little hamlet above which sits the gompa. Geographically well-endowed,
this village offers a stupendous view of the Kanchenjunga and other mountains of the Himalayan
range. As one takes the trail that leads up to the gompa, bounded by towering prayer flags
flapping in the wind, one understands the perfect union of ancient structures and nature in
Sikkim.

 Lachan Monastery
Lachan Monastery Sikkim Tourism
Location - 1 kilometer from Lachen
Foundation - 1858
Offering a quiet backdrop and a spell-binding views, Lachen Monastery is a noteworthy
attraction in Lachen that was originally built in 1858 A.D by the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan
Buddhism and with the help of its 8 monks, who transformed a small hut constructed by Lama
Karchen Dorje Drak. Lachen Monastery, also known as Ngodub Choling or the Launching
Gompa, is seated at a picturesque location overlooking the village and housing the statue of Guru
Padmasambhava. The premises of this sacred place is decorated with colourful prayer flags and
prayer wheels. Feel bliss as you enter Lachen Monastery, It is a mind boggling pilgrimage
experience.

 Pemayangtse Monastery Pelling

Location - About 2km from Pelling
Foundation - 1705
Occupying a small section of beauty at the higher end of western Sikkim, a renowned monastery
of Pemayangtse is located. The word Pemayangtse mean ‘Perfect Sublime Lotus’ and it is a
famous tourist attraction and widely visited by many travellers all year round. With a mere
distance of 2 kilometres from Pelling, this attraction is an easy walk. You can unravel Sikkim’s
prime beauty by visiting during the spring-summer season when the sky clears. This is so, as you
can not only enjoy the holistic site but also witnessthe enthralling beauty of the Himalayas as
well. Pemayangtse Monastery offers a meditative environ quietly set amidst woods. It gives a
perfect place to relax in solitary and listen to the sounds of nature as you explore this second
oldest monastery of Sikkim. Being around 300 years old, it is a must visit place as it offers the
reflection of the rich architecture and the unwavering faith of the Buddhist followers. This three
storied building has many statues of saints and Rinpoches, including Padmasambhava (Lotus
Born). It also has several antique idols and scriptures. The main prayer hall is decorated with
paintings and also the doors and windows are beautifully painted in traditional Tibetan design.
The ruins of Rabdantse can also be witnessed from Pemayangtse Monastery.

 Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center

Location - On the hill top of Rumtek
Foundation – 1740
Rumtek meaning God left the Dharma Chakra Centre established in the year 1740. About 45
minutes drive from Gangtok (24 km), the seat of the Kagyud order of the Tibetan Buddhism.
Since the 1960s, after the arrival of His Holiness the XVIth Karmapa, it constitute of worlds
unique religious scriptures and rare objects.

 PAL ZURMANG KAGYUD MONASTERY

Location - Lingdum
Foundation - 1999
Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery or also known as Lingdung monastery founded in 1999 is a 45
minutes, 20 KM drive from Gangtok on the Rumtek- Ranka- Gangtok road. It is a fine example
of Tibetan Monastic architecture, with several levels of sacred rooms stacked against the steep
greenhillside. The present Gharwang Rinpoche is the 12th successive incarnation of the glorious
emanation of Zurmang Gharwang.

 Shweta Tok
Location - on the office top on shweta
Ganesh a Hindu Elephant deity and Tok mening Hill situated at an altitude of 6500 feet
(1981meters) at a distance of 7 kms from Gangtok. Adjoining the Temple is the Pinetum Pine
forest. The Devotees after the earnest prayer offering can enjoy a bird’s eye view of sprawling
Gangtok town, and across the Hills Mount Khanchendzonga and Mt. Sinolchu Loom over the
horizon.
 Wildlife sanctuaries
Khangchendzonga National Park
Khangchendzonga National Park encompasses an area covering 1784 sq km. It is bounded in the
north by the Tent Peak and the ridge of the Zemu glacier. The eastern boundary of this park
comprises of the ridge of the Mountain Lamaongden. The southern boundary includes Mount
Narsing and Mount Pandim. The western boundary comprises of the mighty Kanchendzonga
which presides over its namesake park and the Nepal Peak. Being bounded by such formidable
features, it is no wonder that the park has remained ecologically untouched and therefore has
provided a natural protection to the flora and fauna it shelters. The fauna includes the Snow
leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Barking deer and many other species. The KNP is
surrounded by biosphere which combines nature conservation with sceintific research,
environmental training, environmental education monistoring and demonstration. Many places in
this park have perhaps never been trod by man and it is very likely that new species may be
discovered here.

Fambong Lho Sanctuary

Fambong Lho Sanctuary is located about 20 kilometres from Gangtok and covers an area of
about 5200 hectares above the road between Singtam and Dikchu with the highest point at a
place called Tinjure where a wooden observation tower of the Forest Department exists. The
Sanctuary is the home of Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Civet cat and many varieties of
birds and butterflies. Fambong Lho is ideal for birdwatching as it shelters birds species like
endangered rufous-headed hornbill and laughingthrush. The sanctuary is also rich in animals like
red panda, barking deer, yellow-throated marten, and Himalayan brown bear, and in flora with
abundance of rhododendron and orchids.

 Maenam Sanctuary
 Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Sikkim. Rich in
varieties of medicinal plants, the Wildlife Sanctuary is a treat for nature lovers. A paradise for
nature lovers, you may encounter its rich flora and fauna. Long after your visit, tourists might
still find themselves wandering amid its forests and jungles, encountered during a trip. The
Maenam wildlife sanctuary in Sikkim would be home to the first of its kind wildlife skywalk of
India soon. Here, you can find species of the temperate forest such as Red Panda, Serow, Goral,
Barking Deer, Leopard-Cat, Marbled-Cat, Civet-Cats, and birds like Common Hill Partridge,
Blood Pheasant, Magpies, Blue necked Pita, Sunbird and Black Eagle. Apart from wildlife
sightseeing, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is also a great place for trekking. It provides a perfect
destination for adventure fanatics as the trails will lead to Maenam Peak, further ascending to
Bhaledunga. Besides, you can also get a stunning view of Mount Kanchenjunga and Teesta River
from Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary.
 Popular Places / Destinations
Nathu La
Nathu La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, is a mountain pass in the Himalayan
peaks that co-joins Sikkim and China. Situated on the Indo-Tibetan border 14450 ft. above sea
level, Nathu La is Popular Places / Destinations one of the most important Himalayan passes in
the country. Nathu means 'listening ears', and La means 'pass'. Nathu La is one of the three open
trading border posts between India and China and is famous for its picturesque beauty and
beautiful environment. The temperature here remains low for most parts

Zuluk
Dzuluk or Zuluk or Jhuluk or Jaluk is a small hamlet located at a height of around 10,000 feet
(3,000 m) on the rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim of the Indian state Sikkim
(Pincode 737131). This place is relatively an emerging and offbeat destination in East Sikkim.
Today it is fast emerging as a new tourist destination. It derives its tourism importance due to the
excellent view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including the Ka Dzuluk or Zuluk or
Jhuluk or Jaluk is a small hamlet located at a height of around 10,000 feet (3,000 m) on the
rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim of the Indian state Sikkim (Pincode
737131). This place is relatively an emerging and offbeat destination in East Sikkim. Today it is
fast emerging as a new tourist destination. It derives its tourism importance due to the excellent
view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including the Kanchenjunga.

Gangtok
Extremely alluring, pleasantly boisterous and wreathed in clouds - Gangtok, the capital city of
the Sikkim can also give you a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, at a distant skyline. The
pristine hill station nestled in mountains and clouds is also a base for a whole lot of trekkers to
the Himalayan mountain ranges. The mesmerising prismatic beauty and the beautiful winding
hill roads are even more breathtaking if seen from a bird’s eye view in a cable car. The name
meaning hill-top, Gangtok can be safely said to be one of the most beautiful hill stations in the
country. With everything in just the right amount from a blend of cultural identities to
urbanisation, Gangtok is a breathing and dynamic bit of paradise of the northeast. It has an
amazing view of mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world. Also like
everything around it, Gangtok is abundant in natural beauty and has various natural attractions
such as the Tsomgo Lake, Ban Jhakri falls, Tashi viewpoint and more. Other places to visit
include the Enchey Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Do Drul Chorten Rumtek Monastery, etc. Also,
river Teesta is one of the best spots for white water rafting in North East India.

Black Cat Museum

A state of art museum has been created in Gangtok to showcase the rich history of the state of
Sikkim. The museum consist of mesmerizing photo gallery showcasing the rich history, culture,
traditions & major wars fought by the warrior clans of Sikkim along with an Audio Tour Guide
System (the only one in Sikkim). The museum also displays account of major skirmishes in
Sikkim. The museum boasts of a one of its kind Selfie Room where tourists can click exciting
photographs. The souvenir shop provides a wide range of local souvenirs which will make your
trip memorable.