North Sikkim Tour

North Sikkim is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its capital is Mangan. It is the largest of the four districts of Sikkim.

A land where haven touches the earth, the ambience creates mystery, landscape ominated by elements, silence can be eard,vision tends o travel beyond the orizon, soul starts meditating- unknowingly, mind gets rejuvenated; and a land that makes you bow.

Most of the people of the state reside near Mangan, the district headquarters which is about 2,000 feet above sea level. Further north the elevation increases with the vegetation turning from temperate to alpine to tundra. Temperatures range from about 25° to below -40° in the extreme high reaches where the altitude is in excess of 6,000 metres. Kanchenjanga is the highest peak at over 8,000 m, straddling its eastern border with Nepal.

The people are mainly of Nepali descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha and Bhutia communities. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the district. It also has one of the lowest populated regions of the state.

The region has many power projects and enjoys almost uninterrupted electricity. Roads however, are in a poor condition owing to the frequent landslides.

Most of North Sikkim is restricted to travellers and permits are needed to visit these areas. The area, which shares a sensitive border with the People's Republic of China.

Note: Almost the entire zone of North Sikkim comes under the restricted territory, foreigner's visit beyond Thangu is prohibited.Tourism in the region is at a nascent stage and guests may not get the same level of service in north-sikkim as they would in other parts of the region.

Tourist Interested Places in North Sikkim:

Mangan

Mangan is the capital of North Sikkim, a little small town with flower patches, and the water wheels strung with bells set in exquisite miniature gardens more than compensate for the primitiveness of the region. It is located at an altitude of 3950 ft above the sea level. It is 65 kms far away from Gangtok, capital of Sikkim.

The region is famous for the Phensong and Phodong Monastery, the latter being considered one of the six main monasteries of Sikkim.

Kabi Longtsok

Situated on an altitude of 4800 ft kabi Longstok, is the place where Sikkimese history began in the 13th century. It was here that the treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepcha chieftain, Tetong Tek and the Tibetan chief Khye Burnsa was sworn and signed. The spot where the treaty was signed is marked by a memorial stone and is seen on the left side of the road while traveling from Gangtok to Mangan. It is only 20 kms away from Gangtok.

Phodong Monastery

Phodong Monastery is one of the major monasteries of North Sikkim belonging to the Kargyupa Sect(karmapa). The monastry was built by the Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal sometime in the first quarter of the eighteenth century. It is situated on altitude of 4500 ft and only 39 km away from Gangtok. Beautiful moral paintings adorn the walls of this monastery. The main annual Puja (worship) is performed on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar when the religious Chaams or the dances are also performed.

Singhik

Situated at an altitude of over 4000ft Singhik, offers a picturesque view of Mt. kanchenjunga , and its neighboring peaks. Half an hour uphill walk takes you to an ancient monastery. Chungthang It is a small town situated at the confluence of Lachen & Lachung River.

Chungthang Monastery

Straddling at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers lies Chungthang, located on the way to Yumthang. It is the surrounded by the high mountains that seem to touch in sky. According to legend Chungthang was the meeting place of Guru Rimpoche & Lepcha Chieftain Thekung Tek. It was here from where the word Demazong originated according to the prophecy of Guru Rimpoche.

Lachen

Situated at an altitude of 8838 ft and 122 km away from Gangtok, Lachen stands on a grassy and bushy flat land separated by deep gorges of Lachen Chu from where rises the pine clad mountains with their snowy peaks and black cliffs. It is also a base for the Green Lake trek most of the trekking and mountaineering activities.

Other tourist interested places in north sikkim are yumthang valley, chungthang, lachung, shingba rhododendron sanctuary, thangu, gurudongmar, and chopta valley.