Why you should visit East Sikkim?
East Sikkim is a perfect vacationer’s destination in Sikkim, with its mesmerizing beauty and hypnotizing setting. The Himalayan state’s south-eastern region, one of the four districts, is a popular tourist destination with a variety of locations to explore as well as customs and festivals to enjoy. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is the main travel hub of East Sikkim. Apart from being the state’s administrative and regulatory center, East Sikkim is also the hub of tourism in the Himalayan region.
East Sikkim attracts a huge number of tourists due to its lush vegetation, captivating valleys, beautiful lakes, and several historic monasteries and temples.
East Sikkim is home to a diverse range of vegetation and wildlife. The Red Panda, the state mammal, the Blood Pheasant, the state bird, Dendrobium nobile, the state flower, and Rhododendron, the state tree, may all be found in East Sikkim’s wildlife sanctuaries. Snow Leopard, Himalayan black bear, Clouded leopard, Large Indian civet, etc are also found there.
Gangtok
Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, is without a doubt the most glittery and bustling city in the state. Settled at a height of 1650 metres above sea level, Gangtok offers a vibrant nightlife, ample gambling opportunities, a delectable array of delectable cuisine, and a plethora of attractions in the surrounding area to keep the average traveller occupied for two to three days. You must see Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Enchey Monastery, White Hall, Tashi View Point, and Himalayan Zoological Park, as well as Sa Nagor Center and other attractions, after you are in Gangtok. At MG Marg, Sikkim’s best retail centre, Gangtok offers a thorough adventure… an exciting blend of shopping.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple
Baba Mandir is the popular name for the Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple. Sikkim’s Baba Mandir lies at an elevation of 12,123 feet above sea level. Between Jelepla and Nathula pass, this is around 52 kilometres from Gangtok. Over time, the memorial has evolved into a centre of pilgrimage. Inside the temple, people venerate a big photograph of Harbajan Singh. Several persons will leave a bottle of drinking water to be collected at a later time. Drinking this water, they believe, will bring them good fortune. The army trucks travelling by the temple come to a halt and pay their respects. Harbajan Singh is believed to visit the camp every night as part of the patrolling force by the soldiers in the camp. There have even been times when his immaculate shoes have become muddy and his tidy camp bed sheet has become crumpled by morning.
Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim is the most visited lake in Sikkim. The ethereally gorgeous Tsomgo Lake, located 35 kilometres from Gangtok and at an elevation of 12,000 feet, is a must-see for all visitors. From early winter until late spring, the lake is covered in snow due to its location in a steep and harsh mountain landscape. Tsomgo is considered as a holy lake by the people of Sikkim, and is associated with many legends and myths. The lake site also offers a variety of food stalls providing snacks and beverages, as well as rides on colourfully decorated yaks and mules. Snowboots and gumboots are available for rent. The lake is also an excellent setting for a holiday photo.
East Sikkim Trip Summary
- Right after you arrive at NJP station you will be taken to one of the largest monasteries of entire Sikkim i.e., the Buddha Park of Ravangla before reaching Gangtok.
- The next day is dedicated to sightseeing in Gangtok and you will go to places like Banjhakri Park and waterfall, Rumtek monastery, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Tashi view point etc.
- At the end of the day you can go strolling and shopping MG Marg.
- The third day you are going to visit a memorial and temple honoring Indian army soldier, folk hero and saint Baba Harbhajan Singh named as Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple.
- You will also visit Nathula Pass and Tsomgo lake which are important points of interests in Sikkim.
- On day 4 you will be dropped at NJP or Sikkim airport after checking out.
When To Plan East Sikkim Trip?
You can visit East Sikkim at any time of the year but it is advised to not go there in the months of December and January as it gets frigid with temperatures as low as 0°c. The best time to visit Sikkim, according to Sikkim Tourism, is between March and May or October and mid-December. The greatest time to visit Gangtok to see the flowering natural beauty is in the spring, between March and May. Autumn, on the other hand, brings with it a spectacular vista of the Himalayan Mountains. The best time to visit Sikkim is from October to December if you want to see the Himalayan Range in all its glory. Various events, such as the Maniram Bhanjyang Tourism Festival, where you can enjoy local homestays and other activities, are held around this time.
