Sikkim Overview:
Situated on the border of Tibet and nestled between Nepal and Bhutan, Sikkim was, until recently, a small independent kingdom — the last Himalayan "Shangri-La." It offers rugged high mountain scenery and is home to the third highest mountain in the world — Kanchengjunga at 28,169 feet. It is an extraordinary place to visit because of its natural beauty and ancient Buddhist monasteries. Sikkim has deep untouched forests, fabulous native rhododendrons and an abundant variety of other plant species. There is an incredible diversity to its flora (home to about 450 species of orchids alone) and fauna (famous for Bharal, also called "blue sheep" as well as an astounding variety of bird species).

The people of Sikkim voted in a referendum to join India in 1975. The least populist state in India, Sikkim is home to only about half a million people. Historically it was settled by the Lepcha peoples from the neighboring Indian state of Assam, but in the 15th and 16th centuries Tibetans also started migrating into the area, establishing a distinct kingdom. During the 19th century the British asserted control of Darjeeling.

Hotels are comfortable in Sikkim and there are a number of so called "Heritage Hotels." After independence, democratic India had land reform where royal families lost their traditional means of livelihood and wealthy merchants were forced from their large estates. Many of these castles and mansions are now comfortable hotels located throughout India and known as Heritage Hotels.

A turning point for the country is the reopening of the Nathu-La Pass between Tibet and Sikkim. Traditionally this pass was important for trade and its reopening should revitalize the economies on both sides of the border. It is a pretty area, as the road crosses many streams and passes near tumbling waterfalls and jagged cliffs. Another recent development is erection of the 150 foot Padmasambhava statue in Namci (South Sikkim). Padmasambhava is the famous saint who converted all of Tibet as well as neighboring Bhutan to Buddhism.

Sikkim is reached by daily flights on Jet Air from Delhi to Bagdogra Airport. It's then a five hour drive to Sikkim's capital, Gangtok. New Jalpaiguri can also be reached by overnight train from Calcutta — likely the only train you'll ever ride where you won't be given silverware! When riding the rails in remote areas, eat your meals as Indians do, with your right hand!

Trek Possibilities To Consider:
Trekking opportunities in Sikkim are limited, both by weather and government regulations. Trekking is restricted to groups of four and must be approved in advance, sometimes as much as by six months. The window of good weather is brief in Autumn — go too early in the and you'll enjoy occasional monsoon outbursts which can lead to flooding, landslides and leaches! Go too late in the Fall and the damp climate will be frigid cold! In the Spring the weather is a little warmer and the trekking opportunities last a bit longer. While springtime views aren't quite as crystal clear as in Fall, this liability is balanced by an astounding array of wildflowers. The trekking season is limited to October through November and April through May. Other times are too cold and wet for safe travel.

In addition to the traditional Dzongri and Guicha La Treks (included in our annual Sikkim trips, there are also some other lesser known routes such as the strenuous high altitude Green Lake Trek which requires significant planning. This 12 day trek provides you an unmatched opportunity to visit the original Kanchengjunga base camp, used before Nepal opened its borders to foreign climbers. This grueling trek takes you though lush forest before opening up to spectacular high mountain vistas.

Cultural Tours:
A few days is sufficient to see the most of Sikkim's major historical and cultural sites. Roads are good and Sikkim is small! Recommended are the 200 year old Enchey Gompa in Gangtok and the Gangtok Palace. Rumtek Gompa is the largest monastery in Sikkim and seat of the Karmapa (head of the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism). On the way to Darjeeling, the three hundred year old Pemayangtse is a monastery steeped in tradition and is the head of the Nyingmapa order in Sikkim. The nearby sacred lake of Khecheopari is also stunning and worth a visit or a dip!

Festivals in Sikkim are based on the Buddhist and Lunar calendars so the months noted here are approximate. Losar or Tibetan New Year is a significant event and a lot of fun — but February is a bitter cold time to visit! In June, Saga Dawa is the holiest of Tibetan festivals and in rainy August is a festival unique to Sikkim, Pang Lhabsol — held to worship the guardian deity of Kanchenjunga. Dancing monks portray the deity by wearing red face masks and a crown of five skulls while riding a "snow lion".

Handicrafts:
Sikkim is known for its hand loom weaving, also called, Lepcha weaving. Intricate and colorful fabrics are painstakingly made from cotton and woolen yarn. Place mats, cushion covers, shoulder bags, jackets and many unique items are fabricated from this stunning woven cloth. You'll see Tibetan styled carpets, wooden masks and Thangkas, Buddhist paintings of mandalas or Tibetan deities made on cotton which are mounted on fabric. They can be rolled up and carried like scrolls.

Learning Resources:
"Time Change" by Hope Cook Namgyal, is the 1981 autobiography of a young New York debutante who marries the much older king of Sikkim. It is a story of their life together during the period when the tiny kingdom was first becoming part of the Indian democracy.

Process:
Independent treks are unique by definition. To assist you in perfecting your custom trip, we suggest you call or email us first to review any questions and options. We will make this consultation with you on a casual basis and free of charge, to help us determine the feasibility and anticipated costs of your trek. Once you have decided on the scope and details of your trip, we require a $100USD non-refundable Development Fee. We will then create your detailed custom itinerary — including all associated costs, routes, lodging, amenities and schedules. When you approve and commit to your trek, we will subtract the $100USD Development Fee from the land cost of your trip. If you cancel your trip for any reason, the Development Fee is not refundable. We remain in contact throughout the entire development process to create the exact trip you have in mind.

Development Fee: $100USD*
Trip Cost Estimate: Average $100USD per day* (trek options and group size can affect trip cost)
Minimum Group Size: 2*
Maximum Group Size: Any

* The development fee is the cost involved to develop your unique itinerary.
   It is non-refundable and is paid at the time you apply for your custom trip.
   Trip cost is based on a group size of four (4) or more.