It is a destination for all seasons. Sikkim tourism is known for providing perfect setting for those seeking solitude for the more adventurous activities or those looking for a leisure stay. There are accommodations for all tastes and budgets. Sikkim has three main communities known Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese. These communities are highly varied in their culture, traditions and cuisine; still here you see them merge in perfect harmony. Visitors can experience the true culture and traditions of their home stays and village resorts. The drive itself is an exciting experience on curving roads and a haven for adventure enthusiasts that can be hiking, rafting, fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, Climbing and enjoying the mountain flights. Come & explore the land that is truly blessed by nature. The state government has placed tourism in the priority sector to make it as the engine of economic and social development.
Sikkim, the smallest but the fairytale state of India, nestles in the eastern Himalayas, amidst orchids and oranges, fanned by colourful butterflies, and overlooked by the enchanting Himalayan peak, Kanchenjunja. In the north Sikkim stretches up to the great Himalayan range; in the east the Dongkya range separates Sikkim from Tibet (Chumbi Valley); in the west the Singalila range separates the state from Nepal; to the south of Sikkim is West Bengal. Sikkim has an area of 7298 sq km and a population of 6,10,577 as per 2011 census.Legend says that following some occult sign a celebrated Tibetan lama came to Sikkim in 1641 and met two other lamas at Yuk-Sam ('`the meeting place of the three lamas"). Together, they searched out the man destined to found a ruling dynasty over the region: he was Phuntog Namgyal, the great-grandson of Guru Tashi. The three lamas crowned him the ruler of Sikkim. Later, although the Chogyal was the chief it was India who appointed the Prime Minister of the state and was responsible for its defence. In 1975, to fulfill the popular urge of the people of Sikkim, it was made a regular state—the 22nd — of the Republic of India.
Sikkim is approached through West Bengal. From Kolkata one can fly to Siliguri (Bagdogra airport, an hour's flight) or travel by train. From Siliguri there is a regular bus service to Gangtok, the capital of the state, operated by the Government of Sikkim. One can hire private taxis as well. The other convenient route is to go from Darjeeling to Tista Bazar on the way to Kalimpong by bus and then to proceed to Gangtok, also by bus. The journey either from Siliguri or from Kalimpong is bewitching for the bountiful nature around—the Tista Valley and Tista river dominating the scene for some time. "The view of the snowy range is one of the finest in Sikkim, the eye surveying at one glance the vegetation of the tropics and the poles," wrote the noted British naturalist, Dr Joseph Hooker in 1849. Nothing has changed since then.
For the people of Sikkim, Kanchenjunga is not just a beautiful and imposing peak, but a godly guardian. They worship the peak and their religious, cultural life is deeply influenced by it. "It is a moving experience," wrote the journalist-artist Desmond Doig, "to see a lama dressed in the impressive mask and brocades of the God Kanchendzonga, prance and whirl against the backdrop of the mountain itself. So might the gods of classic Greece have danced upon Olympus." Recently many facilities have opened up for tourists in Sikkim. Opening of the route from Pemayangtse to Yuksam and from Yuksam to Dzongri has made it possible for the outsiders to familiarize themselves with the unique features of this land. Rules governing the grant of permits to foreigners have been slackened.
Points to remember: Foreigners must obtain an internal line permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. The 15-day permit is issued on site and without delay, provided photocopies of passport and visa details along with two photographs of the applicants are made available. For those interested in going for trekking in the inner region of the State, Department of Tourism of Sikkim issues Protected Area License (PAP) to Gangtok. The nearest airport for Sikkim is Bagdogra in northern Bengal, which is 124 km and about 4 hours drive from Gangtok. The nearest two stations are Siliguri (114 km) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km) connecting Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and other important cities of India.