2 Girls storming Sikkim

This is basically the base camp. All the names for the same place, they are called so according to the transportation you take to reach. Baghdogra/ New Jalpaigudi/ Siliguri when you take a flight/train or bus respectively. To reach Gangtok, which is about 120 kms you can take a bus or rent a car. This takes about 4 to 5 hours of back breaking journey through thicket of trees and winding roads on the mountains. If you worry more about comfort, then helicopters are also available which take about 40 minutes to reach with spectacular bird’s eye view.

Rumtek is the largest Buddhist monastery in Sikkim. It is the home to scores of monks of all ages. It is an absolutely calming experience to hear them chant in unison. On specific days, they also have a traditional Dragon dance.

The Hanuman Tonk and Ganesh tonk are two hanumanji and ganeshji temples situated on separate Hill tops in midst of breezing clouds with breathtaking view.

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a research place about the art, culture, religion, language of the Tibetian people. It boasts of a museum with rare collection of old tibetian texts, scriptures, jewellery, weapons, clothing etc.

Located 14,000 ft above the sea level Nathu La is the Indo China border. It is one place which just should not be missed on trip to Sikkim. The journey is long and treacherous but the views and sights make up for the discomfort. In winters there is heavy snow fall but if lucky enough you might just witness a milder version the rest of the year. One is filled with a sense of pride watching the Indian Army camps scattered about on the way. Once reaching the destination, the civilians are not allowed to go to the actual border which is nothing but a barbed wire. Rather they are just made to see the border from a distance. But if pulled a few strings, one could go up till the border and even get photographed with the Chinese soldiers from across the border who actually enjoy getting photographed.

Baba Harbhajan Singh was an Indian Army soldier who died near the Nathu la pass. It is believed that his spirit protects the soldiers in the inhospitable Himalayas and hence a shrine has been erected in his honor. The location is beautiful with snow capped mountains all round and people thronging in huge number to pay respects. It is just a few kilometers off the road on way to Nathu la.

The calm peaceful ripple-less placid lakes falls on way to Nathu la pass. With Yak rides and little local-shopping places it is a paradise for tourists.