General Description: Places of interest in South Sikkim:

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1 General Description: South Sikkim lies at an altitude of 400 M to 2000 M and enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year. Namchi or Namtse is the district Head Quarter. The people of South Sikkim district are mostly of Nepalese origin and Nepali language is the most widely spoken there. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha and Bhutia communities. South Sikkim district has more industries and commercial units in comparison to other districts in Sikkim. Due to availability of flattened land, better roads and other infra structural advantages. Major urban centers include Teesta Bazaar and Melli. Tea is cultivated widely in many hill slopes and the product has good domestic market as well as for export. Temi Tea Garden is the leading tea producer of India. The district has numerous tourist spots, trekking routes, camping grounds at important places. Apart from high rainfall, the temperature remains comfortable to cold throughout the year. The Monasteries, gardens, hills, waterfalls and trekking zones allure the nature lovers and pilgrims. Places of interest in South Sikkim: NAMTSE Namchi or Namtse (5500 ft.) is the district Head Quarter of South Sikkim. The word 'Namchi' means sky high. Thus, it commands panoramic view of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, snow capped mountains and vast stretches of valley. Namchi is about 78 kms. from Gangtok and 100 kms. from Siliguri (located in West Bengal). The town is well-connected to Gangtok by metalled road and easily accessible from Gangtok, Siliguri, etc., by means of regular buses and hired vehicles. The famous statue of Samdruptse (Guru Rinpoche) of118 ft in height, Rock Garden, Cottage Industry, Doling Gompa and Namchi Monastery, etc., are the most important tourist attractions of Namchi. The highly acclaimed annual flower show takes place in February at Namchi. For trekking and expeditions in Southern part of Sikkim, Namchi acts as makes the base. 1 / 6

2 Tendong Hill Tendong Hill is situated just above Damthang. There is a small flat stretch of land at an altitude of 8530 ft., amidst green forest and overlooking Namtse. The place was used by the Buddhist Lamas for meditation. The view from the Tendong Hill is to be cherished and enjoyed. There is also a trekking route to Namtse. Borong Borong, a small hamlet amidst the snow-cloaked mountains peaks, is accessible by motorable road from Ravangla. Borong is a beautiful place from where the tourists can see the clear view of Mountains. The place can also be reached from Ravangla by trek via Maenam. There is a hot spring "Borong Tsa-Chu". Singchu Thang On the banks of Teesta River, Singchu Thang is favorite place for white water rafting sports. At an altitude of 3,500 ft, Singchu-thang is an ideal picnic spot. Literal meaning of 'Singchu-thang' is 'the plain over grown with dwarf fish plants and shrubs'. Phur-Tsa-chu (Hot Springs) It is a hot spring located at a comfortable distance of 4 kms from Legship. Hot springs are famous amongst the residents of the region. The water of these springs are considered to have medicinal values and can cure many skin problems. Jorethang Jorethang is an important town in West Sikkim district. It lies at a distance of 30 kms in the north of Darjeeling. Sited on a flattened land, Jorethang is also nestled between the huge mountains and hills in Sikkim. Ravangla Ravangla is a small township at the base of Maenam Hill and transit point to various tourist places in South Sikkim and West Sikkim. It is now an established tourist spot, and transit point for trekkers to Maenam Hill and Borong. There are good numbers of accommodation facilities and numerous short nature trails. The tourists can trek down to the sacred cave "Shar Chok Bephu", one of the holiest caves in Sikkim, The famous Temi Tea garden is nearby and the tourists can visit the garden as also to buy tea in packets. Maenam Hill Maenam towers above Tendong Hill on the other side overlooking the Ravangla Bazar settlement. situated at an altitude of 10,300 ft., the scenic view from this height is, perhaps, unmatched in this part of the world. The trek from Maenam from Ravangla takes about 4 hrs. and from Maenam Hill-Top one has the option to take the gentle trek to Borong village. 2 / 6

3 Sikip Sikip is another destination that is getting renowned due to its serene atmosphere and great hide-out. Perched on the banks of Rangeet River, Sikip boasts of beautiful natural surroundings and makes a brilliant fishing spot and river campsite. Varshey (10,000ft) (3056m) the valley of hemlocks and 24 species of guras or rhododendrons, about 4000 species of flowers and rare orchids, Kanchenjunga view is much nearer than in Pelling. A ten minute walk takes you to Ramam Valley overlooking the mountain ranges West Bengal. The road turns left from Jorethang and get across Soreng, Dentam and Somra Bazar and reaches Hilley (56km), Varshey is 4km ahead. From Pelling to Varshey is 136km. You can also trek up for 8km from Ribdi to Varshey which takes 4 hours. There are few casual treks from Varshey to Dentam (14km), Soreng (10km) and Burikhop (9km) or trek for 4km to Hilley (10100ft). Visible from the monastery ground of Varshey. Where to stay: The list of hotels who have furnished the details. --None Weather Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avg. monthly Rainfall in mm Avg. monthly temperature 12 in C (Max.) / 6

4 Avg. monthly temperature 8 in C (Min.) 8 12 Due to its altitude and sheltered environment, the town remains a mild, temperate climatic zone all year round. Temperatures range from an average maximum of 22 C (72 F) in summer to an average minimum of 4 C (39 F) in winter. Summers (lasting from late April to June) are mild, with maximum temperatures rarely crossing 25 C (77 F). The monsoon season from June to September is characterised by intense torrential rains often causing landslides that block the roads and thereby access to rest of the country. Rainfall starts to rise from pre-monsoon in May, and peaks during the monsoon, with July recording the highest monthly average of mm (25.6 in). In winter temperature remains between 4 C (39 F) and 7 C (45 F). Snowfall is in the very high altitude villages or places but foggy weather is very often. Transport: Generally, taxis are the most commonly available as principal mode of transport within the town. The most of the local people have their own vehicles such as two-wheelers and cars. The share of personal vehicles and taxis combined is 98% of Gangtok's total vehicles, a high percentage when compared to other Indian cities. City buses comprise less than one percent of vehicles. Those traveling longer distances generally make use of vehicle on sharing basis i.e. shared taxi. Many 4 wheel drive vehicles are also available to navigate the steep slopes of the roads easily. Gangtok is connected to the rest of India by an all-weather metalled highway, National Highway 31A, which links Gangtok to Siliguri at 114 km (71 mi) away in the neighboring state of West Bengal. The highway also provides a link to the neighboring hill station towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which are the nearest urban areas. Regular jeep, van, and bus services link these towns to Gangtok. Gangtok is a linear city that has developed along the arterial roads, 4 / 6

5 especially National Highway 31A. The steep gradient of the different road stretches coupled with a spiral road configuration constrain the smooth flow of vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic. Sikkim Nationalised Transport (A Govt. undertaking) has a large number of buses which runs between Gangtok and various places in Sikkim and also to Siliguri. The tourists arriving at New Jalpaiguri Rail Station (NJP) may avail of the shared taxi service from the rail station car parking. Otherwise, the buses including North Bengal State Transport buses and many private services are available from the Main bus stand at Siliguri. The main bus stand is situated close to Siliguri Jn. Rail station. Now, in order to avoid traffic congestion in the town, the taxi/ bus services from different directions are terminated at a point away from the town center. The tourists may get local vehicles (3 wheeler) to reach their destinations in Gangtok from the respective transport terminus The nearest railhead connected to the rest of India is the station of Siliguri Jn. and New Jalpaiguri. The most convenient trains to NJP station from Kolkata is Darjeeling Mail, Kanchan-Kanya Express which reaches in the morning. There are 3-wheeler service besides taxis to travel to and fro main bus stand at Siliguri. The car takes about 4 hours to reach Gangtok from Gangtok. The closest airport is Bagdogra Airport, 16 km (10 mi) from Siliguri. Although, the state capital Gangtok does not have an airport, it is linked to Bagdogra airport via a daily helicopter service. Air service connects Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati airport with Bagdogra. There are some hotels at bagdogra also. Due to frequent traffic dislocation caused by agitations or political problems in the hill areas or delayed arrival of flights, the stranded air-passengers may avail of these hotel accommodations instead of proceeding to wards Siliguri. There are plenty of taxis available for Gangtok from Bagdogra town / Airport. Travelers Entry permit: The Indian tourists need not to take permit to visit the principal tourist destinations viz. Gangtok, Pelling, Rumtek, etc. Carrying of a photo ID card is advisable while traveling. However, the permit is required to obtain locally for traveling. to interior places beyond Mangan, even for Indians. The foreigners are required to obtain necessary permit,; however, they are also not permitted beyond Thangu. Travel Agents in Sikkim: The tourists may require the assistance of the travel agents to visit the places outside the town 5 / 6

6 due it's timings, obtaining of traveling permit, wherever required, arrangements of vehicles, etc. 6 / 6