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South Sikkim Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2-3 days

Best Time: April to June, October to December Read More

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South Sikkim Tourism

Surrounded by beautiful forests and majestic hills, South Sikkim is the perfect vacation spot for someone looking for a retreat in the midst of nature in its most natural form.The town of Namchi is the headquarters of South Sikkim and it is situated at an altitude of 5500 feet at a distance of around 100 kms fromÊGangtok. South Sikkim, since years has been famous for its monasteries and stupas and devotees flock to this town for its religious significance.

But recently, this district has risen to the position of an eminent tourist destination. Ralang Monastery, Siddheswara Dham, Statue of Guru Rinpoche are among the popular attractions here.

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A Complete Cultural Experience

Being away from mainland India, Sikkim has a unique blend of cultures from Bengal, Bangladesh, the North East as well as its northern neighbours of Bhutan and China. The food, dressing, language and lifestyle are thus a unique experience for tourists from outside the state.

Many villages in South Sikkim now host homestays for tourists, and you can enjoy your weekend in a hut on the mountainside with hills, waterfalls and chirping birds in your backyard. There are also some hot springs scattered across the district that is a short distance away from the villages, and a dip in these magical springs should be on everyone's to-do list.

Sikkim for the Adrenaline Junkies

The diversity of Sikkim lies in the fact that is it both, one of the most popular honeymoon destinations and a very famous site for adventure tourism. River rafting on the Teesta river is among the best experiences in the country, and there are rapids for all grades of rafters. There are also some treks ranging from soft treks like Goechala and Dzongri La to the extremely challenging Kanchenjunga.

Mountaineering in the ice and rock climbing, rappelling and zip lining along the sheer cliffs are other popular activities in Sikkim. There are also training centres that organise short courses in Paragliding and Hang gliding to make you a certified glider! The wildlife of Sikkim is another huge draw for tourists as many rare species like the Red Panda, and Snow Leopard can be spotted in the national parks of Sikkim, but be prepared to sit in the snow for several hours if you want to spot one of these rare beauties.

Restaurants and Local Food in South Sikkim

Almost all towns in Sikkim can offer you a complete experience of its authentic cuisine, and South Sikkim is no exception. You cannot miss the Momos and Thukpa. Along with this is a huge variety to chose from in soups and noodles. The area is also popular for pickles such as Chhurpi ka Achar, Tomato Achar, Shimi Ka Achar as well as delicacies such as Kinema Curry, Sel Roti, Pakku and Chhurpi-Ningro Curry.
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Suggested Itinerary for South Sikkim

There are not many options for stay in South Sikkim, and it is most convenient to stay in Gangtok and make day trips to attractions in South Sikkim that are between 50 to 100 kilometres from Gangtok.

Day 1: Leave for Namchi in the morning which is 76 kilometres from Gangtok. This city is renowned for its beautiful monasteries and picturesque sceneries. The view of Rangeet Valley and the Kanchenjunga Peak is breathtaking and so is a short trip to the Temi Garden which produces some of the best quality tea in the country.

Day 2: Leave for Ravangla which is situated on a ridge between Maenam and Tedong Hill and is another destination famous for its Buddhist monasteries. Ralong Monastery, Ravangla Monastery, the holy cave of Shar Chok Bephu are some of the places to see in Ravangla. The Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is also close by, and you can stop by for a safari in the dense forest.

Day 3: Proceed to Sikip to quench your thirst for adventure. This town located on the banks of the Rangeet river is the best place for fishing and rafting and is one of the most scenic villages in South Sikkim. 

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How to Reach South Sikkim

How to Reach Overview

South Sikkim is one of the most important financial and economic centres of the state and so is well connected with the capital, Gangtok, as well as other cities in the East of India. There are no airports or railway stations in Sikkim and road travel is the best way to get around. 

How to reach South Sikkim by flight

South Sikkim does not have an airport, and the nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport which is 110 kilometres away, and it takes 3 to 4 hours drive by national highway 31 A. There are shared jeeps, cars and buses to ferry people from the airport to towns in South Sikkim. 

How to reach South Sikkim by road

Since South Sikkim is located in a hilly area, roads are the only way to access any of the towns directly. The road connections are well maintained but can be closed during the peak of monsoon. Shared jeeps and private cars are the most popular ways to travel within the district and buses are rare, since roads are smaller and difficult to manoeuvre. 

How to reach South Sikkim by train

There is no railway station in South Sikkim, and the nearest station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) that is 120 kilometres from Ravangla. A new station in Sikkim is being planned but will take a few years to construct. NJP is well linked up with the rest of the country with frequent trains. There are other stations nearer the Sikkim - Bengal border, but the frequency of trains is less there.

Local transport in South Sikkim

Taxis should be able to take you to most of the motorable roads. Otherwise, trekking is also an option to access this area nicely.

South Sikkim Photos

South Sikkim, Sikkim
Rangpo Namchi Road
This is the statue of Lord Shiva at Siddhesvara Dhaam in Namchi, Sikkim
Statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the patron saint of Sikkim. The statue in Namchi (Samdrumptse) is the tallest statue of the saint in the world at 36 m.

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FAQs on South Sikkim

What is the local food in South sikkim?

Almost all towns in Sikkim can offer you a complete experience of its authentic cuisine, and South Sikkim is no exception. You cannot miss the Momos and Thukpa. Along with this is a huge variety to chose from in soups and noodles. The area is also popular for pickles such as Chhurpi ka Achar, Tomato Achar, Shimi Ka Achar as well as delicacies such as Kinema Curry, Sel Roti, Pakku and Chhurpi-Ningro Curry.
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What are the places near South sikkim?

The top places near to South sikkim are Gangtok which is 30 km from South sikkim, Darjeeling which is located 17 km from South sikkim, Kalimpong which is located 15 km from South sikkim, North sikkim which is located 40 km from South sikkim, Kurseong which is located 33 km from South sikkim

What are the things to do in South sikkim?

The top things to do in South sikkim are Namchi, Ravangla, Borong, Statue of Guru Rinpoche, Siddheshwara Dham, Tendong Hill. You can see all the places to visit in South sikkim here

How much does a package cost for South sikkim?

The packages for South sikkim start at INR 6200 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What is the best way to reach South sikkim?

South Sikkim is one of the most important financial and economic centres of the state and so is well connected with the capital, Gangtok, as well as other cities in the East of India. There are no airports or railway stations in Sikkim and road travel is the best way to get around. 
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What is the best time to visit South sikkim?

The temperature in South Sikkim is very cool and pleasant throughout the year because it is located at a high altitude and has a lot of vegetation around it. The most preferred season is summer or just before winter when the monsoon has turned everything green. 

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Who should visit South sikkim?

South Sikkim is the best destination for a family vacation, an adventure tour, a short stay in a village or a relaxing trail through the alpine forests. 

What is not so good about South sikkim?

There are no railway stations or airports in Sikkim, so road travel is the only travel option. Roads are closed during the monsoon. 

What is famous about South sikkim?

One of the most unspoilt hill stations in India. Unique culture and food, colourful village life, diverse wildlife

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