This
garden is a mixture
of well tended tropical
and temperate plants
and trees can be found
here. A huge greenhouse
containing many species
of orchids has been
constructed within the
garden. For children
there is even a small
playground with a merry-go-round,
swings and a see-saw.
A cemented footpath
winds its way through
the garden and is good
for taking a relaxed
stroll. The sprawling
town of Gangtok can
be seen on the hill
opposite. The garden
is indeed an ideal picnic
spot.
Saramsa
Garden / Ipecac Garden:
Also
know as lpecac Garden,
the home of Sikkim's
most exotic orchids
and other rare tropical
and temperate plants.
The garden is know as
Ipecac garden because
of the plant Ipecac
that is grown here.
Established and maintained
by the Department of
Forest, it is an excellent
recreation and picnic
spot. Besides this plant,
this garden also contains
a wide variety of other
flora including numerous
types of orchids and
medicinal plants.
A large green house
also accommodates many
other species of plants.
One has to take a taxi
to reach this place.
Tsomgo
/ Changu Lake
A
lake at 12,310 ft? Impossible
you will say but it
is a fact. Tsomgo(Changu)
lake is situated 35
km from Gangtok on the
Gangtok - Nathula highway
which forms a part of
the old trade route
from India to China.
Before 1962, caravans
of mules carrying goods
used to ply on this
route. The stretch of
the route just below
Karponang, 15 kms from
Gangtok was particularly
dangerous. Its steepness
resulted in many mules
slipping totheir death
into the ravine below.
Karponang is at
an altitude of 10,000
ft, an ascend of 5,000
ft from Gangtok in less
than 15 kms.
Slightly
less than 10 kms away
from Karponang is 15th
Mile or Kyongnosia which
lies on a saddle on
the Chola Range and
from where a panoramic
view of part of Gangtok
and other surrounding
hills can be obtained.
The Kyongnosla Alpine
Sanctuary with an area
of 312km located nearby
is rich in alpine flora,
fauna and avi-fauna.
From here onwards to
the Tsomgo(Changu) lake,
one loses sight of the
Khangchendzonga range.
The road has less gradient
and the vegetation adopts
an alpine nature.
About
a kilometre ahead of
Kyongnosia and about
five minutes walk from
the roadside is the
Tseten Tashi cave which
is about twenty feet
high and so named after
a naturalist of Sikkim
who was also the Private
Secretary to the Chogyal.
There is passage within
the cave that leads
to its top.
Tsomgo(Changu)
lake, which is hardly
20 kms away from the
famous Nathula Pass
and about 400 kms from
Lhasa, falls in the
restricted area and
hence an Inner Line
Permit, which can be
obtained from the Police
through the Tourism
Department or travel
agent is required by
visitors to visit this
place. Foreign nationals
are also permitted to
visit this lake. Photography
is now allowed and in
fact parts of few Hindi
films have been shot
here. Its cool, placid
water harmonies with
the scenic beauty around
which is doubled by
its reflection in the
lake. A small temple
of Lord Shiva is constructed
on the lakeside. Primula
flowers and' other alpine
vegetation grow around
the lake, which has
an average depth of
50 ft, lend a pristine
beauty to this place.
A footpath along the
lake takes one to a
resting shed - a walk
of about half a kilometre.
During the winter months
the lake becomes frozen.
The lake itself derives
its water from the melting
snow on the mountains
around, The river Lungtze
Chu originates from
this lake and meets
the Rangpo-chu further
down its course. During
the olden times, lamas
used to study the colour
of the water of the
lake and forecast the
future. If the waters
of the lake had a dark
tinge, it foreshadowed
a year of trouble and
unrest in the state.
The lake has a few rainbow
trout and if you are
lucky you may catch
a glimpse at them.
The
travel agents and Department
of Tourism conducts
package tours by bus
to this lake at selected
months of the year.
A bus ticket to Tsomgo(Changu)
lake and back costs
Rs 150/-. Taxis from
Gangtok can also be
hired to Tsomgo. A small
cab in which not more
than 3 passengers are
permitted can be hired
for Rs 550/- to Tsomgo
and back. Hiring of
a jeep which can accommodate
upto 7 passengers will
cost about Rs 900/-.
Private vehicles are
not permitted to the
lake. Rides on yaks
and mules are also offered
at the lake site. Tea
and snacks are available
at the dozen of temporary
stalls during the tourist
season only. Some of
the stalls even keep
film rolls and offer
jackets, snow boots
and waterboots on hire.
Because of the high
altitude, heavy woolens
are required to be worn
here throughout the
year. There is no facility
of accommodation for
the tourist. It is advisable
to visit the lake before
noon as usually during
the afternoons the weather
becomes inclement. Those
with breathing problems
should avoid exerting
themselves too much
because of the scarcity
of air at this altitude.
Menmecho
Lake
This
is another beautiful
lake located twenty
kilometres ahead of
the (Changu) lake. Quite
big in size, it lies
cradled between the
mountains below the
Jelepla pass and is
also the source of the
river Rangpo-chu which
meets the Teesta at
Rangpo. Like the (Changu)
Lake, it also derives
its water from the melting
snow around especially
from the stream that
originates just below
the Jelepla pass.
The
lake is famous for its
trout and a farm to
cultivate these fish
also exists nearby.
Accommodation for the
visitors coming here
is available at the
dak bunglow and tourist
lodge near the lake.
Tourists are not yet
permitted to visit this
area.
Water
Garden
Water
Garden at Martam Khola
is on the 31-A National
Highway south of Gangtok.
It is an ideal spot
for picnic with a small
swimming pool for children
Himalayan
Zoological Park
The
park is located exactly
across the road opposite
Ganesh Tok and covers
an area of 205 hectares.
This area is also known
as Bulbuley and extends
almost upto Hanuman
Tok. Although a 3 kms
long jeepable road runs
right through the park,
vehicles are not allowed
in. There is a paved
cement path that passes
by fenced open air enclosures
housing the red pandas,
Barking Deer, bears
and other animals of
Sikkim in a semi natural
habitat. As the enclosures
encompass a huge area
the animals are sometimes
not easily visible and
one has to be patient
to get a sight of them.
Making noise drives
away the animals to
take refuge behind bushes.
Tashi
View Point
It
was built by the late
King of Sikkim, Tashi
Namgyal, it is situated
4 km from Gangtok town
from where one can have
a clear view of opposite
hills, besides Mt. Khangchendzonga.
This site offers a breathtaking
panorama of the majestic
Mt. Khangchendzonga
and surrounding hills.
Built
by the late King of
Sikkim Sri. Tashi Namgyal,
it is situated about
six kilometres away
from Gangtok on the
North Sikkim Highway,
this place offers an
astounding view of the
Khangchendzonga snowy
range on a clear day.
On the opposite hill,
the Phodong and the
Labrang monasteries
can be seen. A resting
shed and a small cafeteria
situated at Tashi View
Point provides shelter
and other amenities
to the tourists. A park
above the View Point
is a good place to enjoy
a picnic.
Ridge
Park
The
Ridge is a small stretch
of plain and flat road
above the town of Gangtok.
It is just about fifteen
minutes walk from the
main market. The Ridge
has the White Hall and
the Chief Minister's
official residence,
known as the Mintokgang,
meaning "blossomed
crowned hilltop"
on one end and the beautifully
designed Palace Gate
with a pagoda rooftop
on the other end. A
statue of Nehru, the
late Prime Minister
of
India,
adorns the roundabout
above White Hall. Situated
on the Ridge is also
a resting shed using
Tibetan architecture.
The
ridge is lined with
plants and trees which
when in bloom are a
riot of colours. Flower
shows which attract
tourists from all over
the world are held just
below the Ridge. From
the ridge, the, road
winding its way up along
the Chola range towards
Nathula( border between
India and China) can
be clearly seen. During
1967 (not 1962, when
this border was quiet),
a confrontation broke
out between India and
China at Nathula. Long
ago, a small market
called the Sudder Bazaar
consisting of a few
shops lined the Ridge.
In the early twenties
this market was shifted
to the present M.G.
Marg.
White
Hall
The
White Hall has historical
value and is situated
on the Ridge. It is
a two storied structure
and has typical British
architecture and was
built in 1932. It is
so called not because
it is, painted white
but because it was built
in memory of the first
Political Officer of
Sikkim, Claude White.
There is an Officers'
Club and a badminton
court in the White Hall
Deer
Park
This
park which commands
a good view of the hills
surrounding Gangtok
is perched on top of
a hillside that plunges
almost vertically deep
into the valley. It
was established in the
late fifties and is
located adjacent to
the new Secretariat
and is also called the
Rustomji park so named
after one of the Dewans
of the Chogyal of Sikkim
and the author of the
book "Enchanted
Frontiers". The
park has
a big
open enclosure in which
different types of deer
can be seen. There are
also a few cages in
which some animals native
to Sikkim like the Red
Panda and the Himalayan
Bear are kept. have
been kept.
A big
statue of Lord Buddha
commemorating his preaching
of the noble truths
in the deer park at
Sarnath adorns the park
premises. A butter lamp
perpetually burns in
front of the statue
which is surrounded
by flowers of the most
exotic variety. Below
the statue, in golden
letters is the following
stanza from the works
of the renowned scholar
saint of Buddhism, Shantideva
KABI
LUNGTSOK
This
historical place is
17 kms. from Gangtok
on the North Sikkim
highway. This is where
the historic treaty
of blood brotherhood
between the Lepcha Chief
Te-Kung-Tek and the
Bhutia Chief Khey-Bum-Sar
was signed ritually.
The spot where the ceremony
took place is marked
by a memorial stone
pillar amidst the cover
of dense forest.
SINGIEK
The
place offers one of
the most spectacular
views of Mt. Khangchendzonga
and its ranges. A well
known Tourism wayside
accommodation for visitors
is also available. The
area also has a number
of interesting short
nature trails for 1
to 3 days along the
higher ridges of the
surrounding hills.
CHUNGTHANG
Chungthang,
on the confluence of
Lachen and Lachung Chu
and the starting point
of river teesta , has
emerged as a major sub-division
settlement in North
Sikkim. It is the nodal
junction for the two
passes, Lachen and Lachung.
The valley is believed
to have been blessed
by guru Rimpoche and
one can visit the Holy
Guru Ihedu to see the
foot and palm left behind
by the patron saint.
The place, rich in Bio-Diversity
with a large variety
of orchids , plants
& wild life, is
95 kms. from Gangtok,
23 kms. from Lachung
, 29 kms. from Lachen,
and is predominantly
a Lepcha region.
YUMTHANG
Yumthang,
at an elevation of 11,800
ft. & 140 kms. from
Gangtok, is a paradise
for nature lovers with
a fascinating blend
of flora & fauna
and breathtaking scenic
grandeur. Yumthang "Tsa-Chu"
or the hot spring on
the left bank of Lachung
Chu is immensely popular
for its curative and
healing power. Covered
with rhododendron shrubs
and trees, the entire
valley erupts into a
riot of colors in May.
Yak and Yeti Travels
organise 'Alpine Package
Tour' for 2 nights and
3 days and also for
7 nights 8 days and
the night stay for the
tour is at Lachung,
a quaint village which
has its own unique beauty
and lifestyle. On the
way to Lachung is Singhik
where one can see the
magnificient Kanchendzonga
range in its splendour.
NAMTSE
Namtse,
meaning sky high, nestled
among the hills at an
elevation of 5500 ft.,
commands panoramic view
of the snow capped mountains
and vast stretches of
valley. it is also the
HQ of the south district.
The area is fast developing
into a tourist destination
with its immense potential
for all round tourist
activities. It is about
78 kms. from Gangtok
and 100 kms. from Siliguri.
TENDONG
HILL
Above
Damthang, overlooking
South District Headquarter
town Namtse, there is
a small flat stretch
of land at an altitude
of 8530 ft.,surrounded
by lush green ancient
forest which is popularly
known as the Tendong
Hill. Historically,
this has been a place
of recluse for Buddhist
Lamas who spend years
in meditation amidst
the silent scenic grandeur.
The view from the top
of the Tendong Hill
is something to be cherished
and enjoyed as it spans
across plains of Bengal
to the majestic heights
of the Himalayan Ranges.
One can also proceed
to Namtse by trekking
via Tendong Hill following
the traditional route
used in the old days.
Such trekking is also
possible throughout
the year except during
monsoons, that is if
one is scared of ubiquitous
leaches.
RAVANGLA
At
the base of Maenam Hill
is Ravangla, a small
township and transit
to various tourist destinations
in South Sikkim and
West Sikkim . It is
also an upcoming tourist
spot, and transit point
for trekkers to Maenam
Hill and Borong. There
are accommodation facilities
and numerous short nature
trails. A trek down
to the sacred cave "Shar
Chok Bephu", one
of the holiest caves
in Sikkim..
MAENAM
HILL
Maenam
towers above Tendong
Hill on the other side
overlooking the Ravangla
Bazar settlement. situated
at an altitude of 10,300
ft., the scenic view
from this height is,
perhaps, unmatched in
this part of the world.
The trek from Maenam
from Ravangla takes
about 4 hrs. and from
Maenam Hill-Top one
has the option to take
the gentle trek to Borong
village
BORONG
Facing
the snow-capped mountains
is Borong motorable
from Ravangla or a trek
via Maenam. A picturesque
village with beautiful
landscape and magnificent
view is also host to
the hot spring "Borong
Tsa-Chu". The trek
trail, originating from
Namchi or Damthang to
Tendong-Ravangla-Maenam-Borong
(5 to 6 days) is one
of the most interesting
trials scaling the hill
tops along the route
VARSEY
It
lies at an elevation
of 10,000 ft. and has
motorable roads access
up to Hilley. An easy
4 kms. trek from there
takes one up to the
Varsey rhododendron
sanctuary. One can also
trek from Soreng or
Dentam in West Sikkim
.
RABDENTSE
RUINS
This
was the second capital
of the erstwhile kingdom
of Sikkim after Yuksum
and till the year 1814
a.d., the king of Sikkim
had ruled the state
from this place. Today,
the ruins lie hidden
from the main road at
a walking distance from
the tourist lodge and
the Pemayangtse monastery.
It can be approached
by following a footpath
which branches off the
main road. The scenic
view from the top of
the ruin scanning across
deep valley to the mystic
heights of Khanchendzonga
ranges is something
to be cherished and
etched in memory.
PELLING
Pelling
is fast growing to be
an urban settlement
due to tourist influx.
Situated at an altitude
of 6,800 ft, it offers
a good view of entire
mountain ranges and
due to this locational
advantages, many hotels
and lodges have mushroomed
in and around Pelling
offering various categories
of accommodation facilities.
There is a bus service
which links Pelling
to west district headquarter
town of Gyalshing ,
situated at a distance
of 10 kms. from Pelling.
YUKSOM
This
was the first capital
of Sikkim, where according
to the historical records,
the first Chogyal of
the kingdom of Sikkim
was consecrated in 1641
a.d. by three learned
Lamas. Since the history
of the state began from
this place, these areas
are now considered sacred
by the people of Sikkim.
Yuksum is served by
all weather road from
Pemayangtse which is
at a distance of 32
kms. from Yuksun. Several
categories of accommodations
are available in Yuksum
for those desiring to
spend a few days there.
