State of Sikkim Off The Beaten Path

  The Royal Demazong.
by goutammitra
 
  • The Royal Demazong.
      The Royal Demazong.
    by goutammitra
  • The hill is not visible at all.
      The hill is not visible at all.
    by goutammitra
  • The complex from outside.
      The complex from outside.
    by goutammitra
  • Various fruits and vegetables on sale.
      Various fruits and vegetables on sale.
    by goutammitra
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by goutammitra
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Flowers of North Sikkim-IV

by goutammitra

Still not satisfied? What do I do, Sikkim is so beautiful. Well Ihave captured more more more...... Please bear with me, I guarantee, you will not be dis appointed!!!! Please carry on viewing, my tips are like this only.

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Flowers of North Sikkim-I

by goutammitra

If one is visiting North Sikkim, how can one miss the famous flowers of North Sikkim? I too did not miss those famous flowers. Though I am not a student of Botanybut I do like flowers and nature. North Sikkim is famous for Rododendrons and varieties of Orchids. I am told there are about 86 or 87 varieties of Orchid found there in North Sikkim and at least 10-12 varieties of Rododendrons. Since, it is not spring time in the high hills it will be mid April when it will bloom. I got snow but missed the flowers, it was worth. Who knows next time it will be flowers only?Please have a look at theflowers I have captured with my camera.

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Phensang Monastery

by sachara

On the way back from Phodang to Gangtok, we visited the Phensang Monastery.Phensang is one of the four monasteries constructed in 18th century by th 4th Chogyal of Sikkim to establish the Kargyuadpa sect in Sikkim.During our visit all the monks where to the festivities of the new year, so the doors were closed.As of all the monasteries the paintings and decorations are abundant and colourfull.At the picture: one of the beautifully decorated pillars.

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Labrang Monastery

by sachara

Labrang is far away from traffic and other noice. A real quiet place. We enjoyed to be there for a while. Due to the Tibetan New Year there were no monks around. The building of Labrang has an unusual form of an octagon.Outside the monastery we saw lines of many white prayer flags.

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Country house near Labrang

by sachara

On our walk from Phodang to Labrang we saw this lonely typical country house in the middle of nature, far away from the highroad.The inhabitants were a bit surprised to see us on the path, came to their verandah to wave at us.

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Walk from Phodang to Labrang.

by sachara

From the Phodang monastery to the Labrang monastery is a 4KM walk up along a dirt road.During our visit it was a little bit rainy and hazy, but nevertheless it was a nice walk with good views.The scenery with abundant green was beautiful.

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Phodang Monastery

by sachara

The Phodang Monastery is ca 40 KMs north of Gangtok. (one and a half hour drive).This monastery, built in 1740, was Sikkim's leading Kargyudpa centre till Rumtek claimed this in th 1960s.The vestibule has as all traditional Sikkimise paintings of the four buddhist guardians of the universe.When we visited the monastery, it was closed, because all the monks where to the drama in another monastery because of the Tibetan new year.

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Trip to the north of Sikkim

by sachara

In Gangtok we hire a car with driver for a one-day trip to the north of Gangtok for a visit to the hill-side monasteries of Phodang, Labrang and Phensang.The scenery with forest on the steep slopes, crossing rivers at long suspensing bridges, the views... everything was marvellous.The driver didn't know the places very well, so with the map we had to show him the way.

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Lepcha Cultural dance

by Fudge

At the village in KEHDI, not only were we treated to millet wine and food, but we were treated to a lepcha cultural dance put up specially for our visit !, by the local girls. We were truly flattered.

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I fell in love with nature over & over :)

by Fudge

This was from the bridge turn off that takes you from Bagdogra to Gangtok. We were standing just above Melli Bazaar. 'above" meaning being on mountain roads nothing is on a flat plain. The first village from this point was Kalimpong, about 15 Km away.

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Top 3 Hotels in State of Sikkim

Hotel Sonam Delek  Gangtok

 1 Review and 45 Opinions  Just above the Tibet Road bazzar, with range of comfortable clean room with balconies and excellent... 

 Hotels in Gangtok

Norkhill Hotel  Gangtok

 2 Reviews and 57 Opinions  Gangtok was overflowing with travelers during the peak festive holiday season in October 2006. My... 

 Hotels in Gangtok

Hotel Delamere  Gangtok

 1 Review and 17 Opinions  I did not stay at this hotel but I did visit this hotel to build this review. This is one hotel very... 

 Hotels in Gangtok

The Place

Reviews and photos of State of Sikkim attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for State of Sikkim sightseeing.

Experience State of Sikkim
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in State of Sikkim
  1. Gangtok Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in State of Sikkim

 

Questions and Answers

devkumar.tripathy profile photo

Q:  Hi, I had been to Sikkim with my full family of 11 members. Visited many places and ended up shopping at MG Road. We captured... 

margsch profile photo

A: Does the game parlour have your camera? If so, surely they could send it to you. 

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