Sikkim was for many years seen as one of the last Himalayan Shangri-las because of its remote location and spectacular mountain scenery.
Sikkim was an independent kingdom under British protection until 1947 and only became an Indian state in 1975. Sikkim is India’s second smallest and least populous state. It nestles in the Himalayas with Nepal to the west, Tibet to the north and east and Bhutan to the southeast. Entry is from West Bengal to the south and special permits are required in addition to the usual tourist visas.
The scenery is dominated by the Himalayan range with Mt. Khangchendzonga, the world’s third tallest mountain, always to the fore. The climate varies from subtropical to high alpine and the scenery from dense forest and deep river valleys to tundra in the far north. The majority of Sikkim's population are of Nepali origin that came to the province in the 19th century. The native Sikkimese are made up of the Bhutias, who migrated from the Kham district of Tibet in the 14th century, and the Lepchas who are believed to have migrated from the Far East. There are also a sizeable proportion of people from other Indian states including Bihar and Bengal. Each community has a strong individual identity and culture.
The official languages are Hindi, Bhutia, Nepali, Lepcha, Limbu and English and reflect the diverse make up of the population. The predominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism.
The best times for trekking at high altitudes are in October and November whilst at lower altitudes the season runs from September to April. Sikkim is not just for trekkers as there are some fascinating monasteries and other cultural sites to discover and some great places to stay off the beaten track. October and November are also the best months for viewing the remarkable scenery as the skies are usually clear. For those interested in the flora then the Rhodedendrons are at their most spectacular in April and May. Sikkim is home to over five thousand flowering plants including many rare orchids and alpines. The fauna is also diverse with rarities such as the Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Snow and Clouded leopards to be found.
The West Bengal hills are best known for the hill stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Darjeeling is world famous for its tea production which dominates the landscape around the town and the local economy. Darjeeling was created by the British as a military and administrative centre to escape the heat of the plains and retains a special ambience to this day. Kalimpong, by contrast, is a bustling bazaar town and is warmer and flatter. It has several noteworthy attractions itself and is a great base for exploring the diverse cultural communities in the neighbouring villages.
