A potpouri of cultures and traditions, Sikkim is one of the most beautiful locales in the North East. Land of the original inhabitants known as Lepcha’s, Sikkim has been named distinctly by its ethnic tribes be it the Lepcha’s – The first tribe to make its home here or the Limbus who named it as Su-Khim or ‘New House’ or the Bhutia’s who called it the Beymul Demazong or the Hidden Valley of Rice.An independent kingdom until 1975, Sikkim has long been considered as one of the Last Himalayan Shangri-La’s. Partly because of its famed mountain of Kanchendzonga (8598m), the world’s third highest mountain. Today, travelers embarking on a journey of Sikkim discover a mystical wonderland of spectacular natural beauty. The panoramic perfection of the snow-capped Himalayas, the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture and joyous festivals, the infinite variety of its flora and fauna makes it a holiday that is at once fascinating and challenging. To really savour some true Sikkimese atmosphere, visit a village tongba-bar for some local millet beer: it’s a bit like warm Japanese sake. Plunging mountain valleys are lushly forested, interspersed occasionally with rice terraces and groves of flowering rhododendrons. Tibetan-style Buddhist monasteries (gompas) add splashes of vermilion to the green ridgetops and are approached through atmospheric avenues of colourful prayer flags set on long bamboo poles. Add to this the different communities, each with their own distinctive festivals and traditions, the dances and the music; it has all the elements that go into making a holiday an unforgettable experience.
Information and Facts:
| Time Zone | : | IST (UTC + 05:30). |
| Area | : | 7/096 km (2740 sq mi). |
| Capital | : | Gangtok. |
| Largest City | : | Gangtok. |
| Population | : | 540, 493 (28th) |
| Density | : | 76.17 / km. |
| Languages | : | Nepali, Bhutia, English and Hindi. |
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