Gangtok , Sikkims capital sprawls over a forested hill that overlooks Mt. Khangchendzonga, guardian deity of the land to the Sikkimese Buddhists. Since 1894 to 1975 it served as the royal and administrative headquarters to the former kingdom, and even today it still bears a regal character around the areas that have not been affected by urbanization.

The Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom was established with the aim of keeping alive the traditional arts and crafts of Sikkim . It is a repository of exquisite hand woven carpets, blankets, shawls including hand carved furniture.

The Dodrul Chorten is one of the largest stupas in Sikkim and a very sacred icon to the Buddhists. This chorten was built in 1945 by Trulsi Rimpoche to commemorate the victory of good over evil.

This 200-year old monastery is an important seat of the Nyingmapa Order, and is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying poweress. Its annual chham (masked dance) is performed with great fanfare once every year around January.

At a road distance of 7 kilometers above Gangtok, Ganesh Tok offers a spectacular birds-eye-view of the town below and a spectacular panorama of the Khangchendzonga range in the horizon.

Higher up, and 11 kilometers from the town, this is yet another view point for a majestic gaze into the valley below and the horizon ahead.

Also known as Bulbuley, this is a recently established zoo of Sikkims' native faunal species. Situated 8 kilometers above Gangtok and spread over a sprawling expanse of 205 hectares, its inmates can roam around almost freely in a semi-natural habitat. Species in captivity include the Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bears, Spotted Deer and Barking Deer.

The Flower Show venue is located near the White Hall below Mintokgang. Exhibitions are held during flower blooming seasons with the Spring Orchid Festival being the grandest among all.

Renowned worldwide as a premier study center for Buddhist religion and philosophy, this institution houses some rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, thangkas, and over 200 rare icons.

Also known as the Dharma Chakra Center , the monastery is situated on a hill opposite Gangtok at a distance of 24 kilometers, a 45 minutes drive. Built as a replica of the original Karmapa monastery in Tsurpu , Tibet , this monastery replaced the seat of the Kagyupa sect from 1959 when the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa came into exile.

Situated in Lingdum at a distance of 20 kilometers from Gangtok, this monastery is the seat of the 12th Gharwang Rimpoche, a place worth visiting for its exquisite architecture.

This serene lake lies in the heady highlands towards the Tibet/China border 40 kilometers northeast of Gangtok at an altitude of 3,780 meters. The vantage height of this lake also offers a splendid view of the high Himalayas in the not too distant horizon.

Prior to the construction of road-heads to Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point was where one went for an early morning view of the sunrise over the mountains.

Situated 17 kilometers from Gangtok along the North Sikkim Highway, this is the historical spot where blood brotherhood was solemnized between the Bhutia chieftain Khey Bum Sa and the Lepcha priest king Thekong Tek in the days of yore. Beneath a canopy of a dense virgin forest is a memorial stone pillar that marks the spot.

Situated 27 kilometers along the North Sikkim Highway is the Phensong Monastery. It was built in 1840 by Lama Jigme Pawo, and is regarded second only to the Pemayangtse Monastery for the Nyingmapa sect. It holds its annual chham on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar.

One of the six premier monasteries of Sikkim , Phodong Gompa is situated 38 kilometers from Gangtok. This monastery belongs to the Karma Kagyu sect and was built by Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal in 1740.

Just four kilometers from Phodong is the Labrang Gompa, a monastery unique among all others in Sikkim for its unique architectural design.

The Dzongu hills of North Sikkim , an area largely inhabited by Sikkims' indigenous Lepcha people had been proclaimed a special reserve for its occupants since the times of monarchy in the state, with the rule still in effect even today.

A small hamlet some 70 kilometers along the North Sikkim Highway from Gangtok, Singhik perhaps offers the most magnificent view of the Khangchendzonga range. More than anything else, it is the viewing angle from this position that enhances the beauty of of Sikkims' guardian deity.

An idyllic mountain village set amidst apple orchards and lofty peaks on both sides, Lachung at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level permeates an ethereal alpine glow. Peopled by a hardy stock of Bhutia who pride in calling themselves Lachungpa, this is a unique settlement having its very own self-governing body called the zumsa where all local disputes are settled by consensus.

Set at an elevation of 3575 meters above sea level, the Yumthang Valley is Sikkims' undisputed natural paradise that is easily accessible via road. (There are of course many more areas in Sikkim that surpass Yumthangs' scenic grandeur, but these remain off the beaten track.) In the summertime the attractive scenery of this area reaches its zenith when an immense variety of alpine flora of cascade the meadows, hills and the valleys.

Set at an altitude of 2750 meters, slightly higher than that of Lachung, Lachen too has its apple orchards and alpine views. Lachen is the starting point to some of North Sikkims' most interesting treks.

Established only in 1965, Temi Tea Estate is built over the remains of a forestry office and nursery. Its landmark, an old British bungalow, was built by Scottish missionaries in the early 1900s' and used as a leprosy clinic until it was sold to the state. Temis tender tea bushes are in their prime today and considered by many to be one of the best in the world. For over a decade now, its premium stock has been fetching record prices in the London tea market. The garden spreads on a gentle slope below Tendong along the highway leading to West Sikkim.

A symmetrical hill rising to a height of 2,640 meters, Tendong looks like a dormant volcano, and it could well be in view of the fact that during the course of mudslides exposed sections of earth around this hill occasionally reveal veins of lava-like elements. Its mossy virgin forest that includes flowering trees like magnolia and rhododendron is well worth exploring. From the top of the hill, there is an excellent view of the mountains and the plains of Bengal.

At 3,235 meters above sea level, this is the highest point on the ridge that divides Sikkims' two major river systems, the Teesta and the Rangeet. Once again, this is a vantage point for great views into the horizon: northwards, the Himalaya and to the south are the plains of Bengal . 3,500 hectares around this hill has been demarcated as the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, a reserve for the Red Panda, Leopard Cat, Civets and several avifaunal species including the Blood Pheasant.

A picturesque village overlooking snow-capped peaks and situated below Maenam Hill, Borong is also known for its hot springs, the Borong Tsa Chhu.

Situated at 2378 meters on the hill high above Gyalshing is Sikkims' premier Nyingmapa monastery, Pemayangtse, whose monks above others enjoy the privilege of performing all royal ceremonies. Inside the monastery is the fabulous Santhokpalri, which is said to have been revealed in a dream to Dungzin Rimpoche and was carved by him single-handedly. Built as a small temple by Lhatsun Chempo in the late 17th Century, it was only three generations later that it was reconstructed into its current size by the Lama Jigme Pawo in the reign of the third Chogyal Chador Namgyal. Its main chaam (masked dance) is held two days prior to Losar (Tibetan New Year).

Till a few years back Pelling was an insignificant roadside hamlet on the highway tri-junction one kilometer beyond Pemayangtse but with the popularity of tourism in West Sikkim and the demand for more hotel rooms, this quiet ridge-top settlement is rapidly evolving into a boomtown. This is the likeliest spot where you as a tourist will spend at least one night on your sojourn to Sikkim , and with no regret. The views are superb and the natural forest nearby has some excellent trails for short hikes leading to the surrounding religious and historical sites.

Higher up on the next ridge above Pelling, Sanga Choling, one of Sikkims' oldest monastery which was built in 1697 stands calm and serene atop a dense forested hill.

Some distance below the Pemayangtse Monastery lie the remains of what use to be the former kingdoms second capital that was established around 1670 by the second Chogyal, Tensung Namgyal. It was abandoned after a hundred years following a major Nepalese invasion in which Sikkim lost a large chunk of her territory to the invaders.

Twenty kilometers beyond Pemayangtse at an altitude of 1,951 meters, this small and tranquil lake is a pilgrimage spot sacred to the Sikkimese Buddhists. Strangely, not a single leaf is seen floating on its waters. Legend has it that all day long, the birds of the forest dutifully pick them up. Nearby Khechiperi are typical villages that depict a now forgotten lifestyle. The whole area is also an excellent site for bird watching.

Set atop a most peculiar heart-shaped hill, the monastery of Tashiding and the area around are of great religious significance to the Sikkimese Buddhist. According to Buddhist scriptures, it is said that Guru Padmasambhava blessed the sacred land of Sikkim from this very spot. Here, just the simple act of gazing into the sacred chorten, Thong Wa Rang Dol will cleanse away ones sins. Its meaning, Savior by mere sight. Inside the monastery, a pot of holy water is kept sealed only to be revealed and its droplets given to devotees once every year at the Bumchu Festival. This occurs on the 14th and 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.

At 3,300 meters above sea level, Barsey is just the place where you will want to be when rhododendrons are abloom in springtime. A mere four kilometers from the road head at Hilley, it takes about an hour of easy walking to get there where one has the option to camp or stay in the tourist hut.

This is Sikkims' classic trekking region. Spectacular close up views of Mt. Khangchendzonga and her subordinate peaks is the major highlight of a trek to Dzongri. From Dzongri there are several routes further beyond with the trail to Goecha La being the most popular one. Treks to the Dzongri region can range from as little as five days till as long as two weeks depending on where one wishes to go.

Pleasant, quiet and peaceful, Kalimpong is the ideal retreat for the holidaymaker wanting to be away from the hustle and bustle of city-life. Its 1200 meter elevation ensures a pleasant climate round the year so its not a problem even if you set your date with this charming little town in the dead of winter.