Gangtok

Perched at a height of 5,400 ft, Gangtok 'the high place' lures visitors with its fabulous views of magnificent Mt.Khangchendzonga. Its magnificent location, a strong Buddhist presence and heady cultural offerings are a tempting insight into this stimulating land. Sample some of its treasures before heading out of town to savour Sikkim's other delights. One of the most delightful ways to do this is to sign up for one of the heli-tours. A good time to be here is around Buddha Purnima (May) to enjoy the famous Sawa Dawa festivities. Walking in colourful procession, the holy monks carry the holy books of Buddha's teachings from the Tsuklakhang Monastery in the palace to different parts of town.

Research Institute of Tibetology

This world-renowned centre for Buddhist philosophy and religion the Research Institute of Tibetology is the world's largest treasury of invaluable old Tibetan books and manuscripts on science, medicine, astrology etc. It attracts Buddhist scholars from around the world. The centre also has a wide range of Lepcha and Sanskrit manuscripts and scrolls of ancient vintage. The museum attached to it contains over 200 icons, old tangkhas and some ritual vessels amongst the various object d arts on display. Upstairs you can observe the cataloguing and restoration of these treasures. Open 10 am- 4pm.

Orchid Sanctuary

Located within the premises of the Research Institute of Tibetology this is a wonderland of the orchid kingdom. The sanctuary houses over 250 species orchids. For visitors it really comes alive in April-May and December-January when they are in full bloom. There's a chorten close by where you can see the young lamas going through their daily rituals of learning, praying and working.

Government Cottage Industries Institute

You can spend a leisurely time at the Cottage Industries Institute, which is close to the Tourist Office. You can see craftsman in the process of weaving, woodcarving and paintings of typical Sikkimese designs. Handsome souvenirs to take home are hand-woven carpets, blankets, shawls and carved, magnolia-wood tables.

Tsuklakhang

Numerous festivals and grand ceremonies take place at the royal chapel in the premises of the palace. It is a treasure house of monastic art, wall paintings, lavishly decorated altars holding the images of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and the Tantric deities and handsome woodcarvings.

Khangchendzonga Viewing

The Deer Park (6 km), home to the Himalayan spotted and musk deer, offer fabulous views of the valleys around Gangtok. Tashi View Point (9 km) is a popular picnic spot offering grandstand views of Khangchendzonga. Enchey Ancient Monastery (5 km) has one of the best views of the entire mountain range.

Tsongo Lake & Nathu La Pass

You can drive down to the hallowed, oval-shaped glacial Tsongo Lake (3780mts) to enjoy its mystical environs and the splash of thousands of blooms in summer. (It's just 38 km from Gangtok). Yak rides and red panda spotting. In winter these snowfields are breathtaking. Remember you have to leave at the crack of dawn- and get permits in advance (from the Sikkim Police Department in Gangtok). This holds true for the historic Nathu La Pass (14,200ft) too, as by the late afternoon it generally gets enveloped in mist. (Open Wed/Thur/Sat/Sun only) Recognised local travel agencies arrange transport and handle all the details. Taxis with permits also ply these routes. Shared taxi available too. Best time to visit: March -late May and September-Mid December.

Rumtek Monastery

The picturesque 37-km drive from Gangtok to the impressive Rumtek Monastery takes you through some of the prettiest areas around the city. This lavishly built monastery is said to be a replica of the Tsurphu Monastery of the Kagyupa order, in Tibet. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, but visitors can imbibe of the tranquil air and beautiful location while soaking in the significant cultural elements, which make it a must-visit.

When the Chinese occupied Tibet, His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, the ninth incarnate of the original Gyalwa Karmapa of Tibet and head of the Karguypa sect of Buddhism, took refuge in Sikkim. The Chogyal of Sikkim gifted him some land to establish a new monastery.

With its beautiful traditional architecture, carved and painted woodwork, magnificent murals and treasures of manuscripts and icons, Rumtek is a splendid example of the Tibetan monastic art in Sikkim. It is now the residence of His Holiness and the headquarters of the Dharma Chakra Religious Centre. The monastery also offers employment, education and medical help.

The old Rumtek monastery (now entirely renovated) was built in the reign of the fourth Chogyal, is a short distance away. A Sikkimese lad who learnt his trade from the lamas has embellished it with monastic paintings in the traditional style. Enshrined here is a stone slab marked with the footprint of Guru Padmasambhava.

Bakkhim

Bakkhim, the base for Yuksom, is a feast for the senses with more than 20 varieties of rhododendrons. The lush green environs are a riot of colours and medley of shades. Bakkhim is also the base for mountaineers and trekkers going to Dzongri 10 km. away. Take time to breathe in the scented air and enjoy a few moments alone soaking in this serenity. The crisp air charges you and the close-up views of the Khangchedzonga range mesmerise.

Dzongri

Home of the red panda, black khaleej pheasant and the yellow-necked woodpeckers the fascinating mountain trail up to Dzongri is a trekker's delight. In season the slopes are aflame with great varieties of rhododendron.

Situated at an altitude of over 3962 metres, it offers the most fascinating view of the Khangchendzonga massif. Sunny, crisp mountain air or swirling mists - its magical up here anytime. Rhododendrons drench the glades. Just opposite is the Pandium Peak (6890 mts) cloaked in thick snow. At Tsoka, before Dzongri, the villagers are prosperous and the fields well maintained; some of the villagers are said to have travelled to Switzerland to learn about high altitude farming, so now they've set up ginger and potatoes and cabbage farms - though the village may be short on power supply!

About 7 km way from Dzongri is the Khangchendzonga base camp established by Darjeeling's Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

Pemayangtse

The 17th century Pemayangtse Monastery (Perfect Sublime Lotus) of the Nyingmapa order is perched at a height of 2085 mts. surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Soak in the haunting beauty of Khangchendzonga and its retinue of peaks. It is Sikkim's second oldest monastery. Enshrined within are numerous ancient icons and objects of worship. Its walls and ceilings of are embellished with bright-hued frescoes of gods and demons. Pemayangtse is an ideal base for trekking to Yuksom (1630 mt) where the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism was established and where Sikkim's first Chogyal was crowned in 1641.

Nearby, Rabdentse with its ruined palace was once Sikkim's capital.

Tashiding Monastery

Up a steep track, perched atop a conical hill, close to Pemayangtse, , is Sikkim's most venerated shrine, the Tashiding Monastery, built in 1717. Countless prayer flags whisper in the breeze as you approach this holiest of holies. Sikkimese believe that just a glimpse of the nearby, famous chorten (stupa) of the holy lama Thong-Wa-Rang-To (saviours by mere sight), is powerful enough to cleanse you. The sonorous repetition of Om Mani Padme Hum fills the air. Every spring, thousands of devout Buddhists trek to Tashiding to participate in the Bhumchu Festival and sip the sacred water from a sacred bhumpa (water vessel), filled with waters collected from the Rahthong and Rangit rivers.

Yuksom

Literally means the "meeting of three great lamas". It consecrates the three holy men who came from Tibet and established the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism here. They also consecrated the first ruler of Sikkim here. It is also the entry point of the Khangchendzonga National Park. Yuksom is the base for mountain climbing course organised by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which also has its base camp at Chourikhiand near Dzongri.