Sikkim’s Gangtok: The Place where great journeys begin

There are places, without question, where you should be - even if it’s a great distance away. Because it is apparent that in situations where “you have to take a break”, there’s no substitute for your direct, personal attention. What other destination could you possibly look up in your travel journal when you have Sikkim, inviting you to indulge in the most beautiful imaginings of days worth being called a vacation.

An independent kingdom until 1975, unknown to the world has now opened up in all its capacity to share the natural grandeur and pleasure of this astonishing land. Fascinating culture, beautiful hills, stunning countryside, meandering rivers, majestic mountains, good food, enchanting lakes and hospitality unmatched in it equivalence, is what Sikkim has to offer to its visitors.

Sikkim is bounded by Bhutan to its east, Nepal to its West and China to its north. The southern boundary is shared with the state of West Bengal. The topography of Sikkim is such that the entire state is covered with beautiful hills and mountains. Not just a tourism destination, it is also a paradise for naturalist and environmentalists owing to its wealth of flora and fauna. There have been many expeditions related to zoological and botanical research leading to the discovery of a number of plants and animals. It is also the spiritual center for Buddhists all over the world and has around 250 monasteries, each having its own peculiar history and traditions.

Gangtok is the heart of all activities and is the capital of Sikkim. You will have to reach Gangtok, for unless you get here, you will have much difficulty reaching other parts of the state. Standing at an elevation of 5,480 feet, overlooked by the majestic Mount Khangchendzonga, Gangtok is perched on a hilltop, stretching wide as if covering the whole mount and making it glow at nighttime like a reaction of some scientific experiment. When you are here, security is the last thing that you’ll have in mind because there is no trouble at all. You can walk in the streets at midnight and you are still safe. There are many hotels, guesthouses and resorts to house the ever growing number of visitors. A number of fine traditional and multi cuisine restaurants, Discotheques and lounges are all in the vicinity of the town. Taxi service is readily available so mobility is not a problem either. After all Gangtok is not just another dead town, it is a vivacious place to spend your vacation.

The adjoining areas around Gangtok are of historical and religious significance and visiting these places will give you an insight into its history, culture and beauty. It is a point where visitors make way to their further destination for tours and treks however when you are here you should go sightsee and make the most of this amazing place.

Tashi view point which is a 20 minutes drive from the town was built by the late Chogyal (King) of Sikkim; the point commands a panoramic view of the Khangchendzonga Range and the hills of north Sikkim. You should be here early in the morning to witness the sunrise. The early sunrays hit the mountain range and light up the peaks one after another with respect to their altitude. The experience is overwhelming when you see the mountains glow amber taking you to a higher level of spirituality and contentment. Though you would want to stay here forever, there are many places that you can visit while you are in this part of Gangtok.

Ganesh Tok is just about ten minutes drive from Tashi View point. It is a small shrine located on a ride which overlooks Gangtok town. From here you can get a bird’s eye view of the town and myriad hills on the horizon. This small Ganesh temple is popular among the locals and is frequently visited in the morning hours by devotees.
Opposite to Ganesh Tok is the Himalayan Zoological Park covering an area of 205 hectares which is locally known as Bulbuley. Though a road is built and can take you through the park, vehicles are strictly prohibited inside the park. While inside the park you might catch a glimpse of the adorable Red Panda which is the state animal and is also listed under the endangered species list. In a semi natural habitat the animals here roam about freely without any fear of poachers. There is plenty of food and protection; however you are not guaranteed to see the animals because they normally shy away from humans.

Enchey Monastery is located on a hilltop and is quite close to Ganesh Tok. Enchey monastery means ‘solitary temple’ and true to its name the monastery is rather secluded by the greenery of its compound. This monastery was built around 200 years was blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, who was a great tantrik known for his flying prowess. Legend has it that the great Lama is believed to have flown from Maenam hill which is a hill in south Sikkim to the very spot where the monastery stands now. This monastery is also famous for its Chaam dance (mask) which is organized once every year in the month of January.

You cannot miss the flower show which is on for the entire year. The show is held below the Palace Ridge Park which is about 5 minutes drive from the town. The show has now become an important platform to showcase the floral treasures of the Sikkim. A special competition is organized annually during the springtime where flowers from different parts of the state and the adjoining areas are displayed. This event is truly a bonanza for flower enthusiasts.
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center also locally known as Rumtek Gompa (monastery) is situated in the hill adjacent to Gangtok. It is about an hours drive through the beautiful countryside. The Gompa was built by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1960 and is an important pilgrimage site for the Kargyudpa sect of Tibetan Buddhist all over the world. It is believed that the monastery has a huge collection of some of the most unique manuscripts and scriptures. It also has the rarest of religious art objects. Very close to the present monastery there is another monastery which is called the Old Rumtek Monastery built by the 9th Karmapa in 1730 and was destroyed in fire which was later rebuilt to its present state.

Rumtek monastery organizes the Mahakala Chaam (spiritual mask dance) once a year in the month of February. This is an extravaganza of enigmatic music, graceful moves, color and intricately painted masks. This event is witnessed by a huge congregation of Buddhist of the Kagyurpa sect and tourists, especially foreigners who gather once a year just for this extraordinary dance.
You should also visit the Directorate of Handicraft if you want to see the age old tradition of craft and weaving. The traditional weaving, painting and carvings are taught by masters to younger generation of craftsmen keeping alive skills passed on through centuries. Here you can actually see how traditional carpets are weaved and masks carved. You may even want to pick some for your friends and family back home.
If you are in Sikkim and you haven’t visited Tsomgo/Changu Lake, you haven’t seen it all. This lake is situated high up in the mountain, 40 kilometers from Gangtok. The lake remains frozen during the winter season. Changu Lake is revered as the holiest lake in Sikkim. The lake is about a kilometer long and somewhat oval in shape. It serves as a stoppage point for the various migatory birds and ducks and more importantly it is home to the Brahmini ducks. It’s an amazing place with breathtaking views around almost everywhere. There are a number of stalls run by the local people where you can refresh yourself with a hot cup of tea, a much needed beverage in the cold up here. There are yak in the lakeside and you can enjoy a yak ride high up in an altitude of 12,210 feet. A picture with the amiable beast will be your souvenir from this trip.
And if you have never seen China and its red army, this is you opportunity to see the communist china and its army. The Indo-China border Nathula is just 14 kilometers from Changu Lake. The road to Changu Lake and Nathula is rather scary as you cut through the high hills but the scene enroute is simply incredible with the mountains so close, clad with snow and clouds just above you, the word is just ‘awesome’. Though the road seems scary at times when you see the river down below and it looks like a thread, be assured the drivers here are very skilled and will make you feel comfortable as if you are driving on a 6 lane highway.
In the evenings the market place widens as vehicles are not allowed entry after 5 pm. The market becomes abuzz with tourist and local people making it a fun place to hang around. The market stretch is the only “litter and spit free zone” in India, You are cautioned, if you are caught spitting and littering here, you will be fined. You can visit the local curio and traditional stores pick souvenirs of your trip and if that’s not enough there are good pubs, lounge bars and discotheques for party goers around the town and excellent restaurants if you just want to spend a peaceful evening with your family.

Best time to visit:
April — mid July; September — November

——————
By: Ashish Pradhan.

Tourism comes home to Nepal !

Tourists! For thousands of years people have travelled away from their homes to distant lands to enjoy the natural or man-made wonders of the world. The ancient Greeks traveled to holy places scattered across Greece and then moved on into the areas of new colonies to explore the environments away from the mountainous confines of their island home. The Romans carried it even farther with actual groups of citizens banding together and traversing the excellent Roman road system to the wilds of modern day Scotland and to the shores of the Mediterranean and the wonders of ancient Greece and Egypt. By the First Century AD road houses and inns lined Roman roads across the empire to take care of the adventurous Roman tourist.

With the advent of modern transportation, peoples from all over the world criss cross the globe seeking adventure, respite from the modern world and just to “see” new and different places. Retired men and women, seekers of adventure, scaling the mountains, those in search of spiritual renewal, men and women from all walks of life now become the modern “tourists”.

Nepal has become a “new” and different destination, drawing thousands to its cities and the magnificence of its varied terrain and way of life. The mountains which soar toward the heavens call to those who want adventure and the environment beckons people who are concerned for the planets preservation. Raging rivers for white water rafting, and deep gorges which beg to have the Bungee jumpers meet the challenge. By its proximity to China and Tibet on the north and east and the vast, sprawling lands of India to the south, Nepal has been in the past and is today a magnet for the modern “tourist”.

Anyone who has been in the tourist business knows that to maintain an active and loyal following and to bring on board new clients, today’s modern agency must meet even stricter demands from the travelers of today. An agency that fails to meet the demands of the modern traveler will soon fade away. One need not look very far to see the disastrous results of an agency failing as it did to XL tours out of London. 90,000 passengers stranded and the black mark on travel and tour groups will remain for a while.

Can tourists be difficult? Yes, of course they can. Anyone who deals with the public knows that there are as many different types of tourists with as many different types of problems. Agencies must be flexible and able to create new approaches to problems that arise and always keep in mind that the tourist is the staple of the business and must be handled in a professional and supportive way. New agencies that forget that simple idea will fail.

In addition, a wide variety and selection of tours should be made available as the clients in the tourist industry need to be able to select and also to alter any given tour to meet their needs. The package tour does not offer this flexibility, and although many travelers prefer to travel in this way, a great majority of the people traveling in Nepal want a more tailored and creative selection to meet their needs .