The 2nd smallest and the least populated state of India, Sikkim is nested in the lap of the mighty Himalayas. In May 1975 Sikkim became the 22nd state of India. The state is bordered by Nepal, China, Bhutan and West Bengal. Personally I call it the “Thumbs Up” of India (If you look at the map you’ll know what I mean).
Though it is a small state of about 7000sq.kms it has a rare biodiversity. It has more that 4000 species of plants and 30% of all birds found in India. Sikkim can proudly boast of having about 600 varieties of orchid and 35 species of rhododendrons. With 36% of the land covered in forest Sikkim is one of the few states that encourage Eco Tourism. The state is equally blessed with varieties animal species that it houses. You can find over 400 varieties of butterflies and moth 550 species of birds and many animals even the elusive and rare snow leopard. Khangchendzonga National Park houses some of the most rare and endangered species. Sikkim is a true delight to all nature lovers.
Sikkim can be an example to the world as to how different communities, culture and religion can
coexist in peace and harmony. A true reflection of the simplicity and the inner beauty of the people of Sikkim. Their respect for one another, others cultures, religions and their surroundings makes me ever so proud to belong to this place. Also the smile on everyone’s face is something that you will definitely notice here. If we must then we can broadly classify Sikkimese people into Lephcas, Bhutias and the Nepalese. The language spoken is predominantly Nepali but several local languages like Lepcha, Bhutia, Tibetan and many more are also spoken in their respective communities. Though only 28% of the people follow Buddhism but undoubtedly Buddhist culture dominates the entire Sikkim map; from building structures to handicraft to food and monasteries you can see the rich color and heritage of Bhutias all across Sikkim. Personally the local food and booze is what I love, you can not get the same flavor anywhere else.
Now comes the part that I love the most the natural beauty of Sikkim. Winding roads along the river, 
green hills towering over them and snow clad mountains behind the hills are the most common site that you see as you travel along Sikkim. Every season brings a different beauty and a totally different experience with it. Spring brings with it a burst of colors where every little plant flowers along the village path, rains brings you the light shade of green all over the forest and the paddy fields, autumn brings the hue of the golden harvest that shimmers with the moon and winter brings with it fire to keep you warm and different hills each day that you can see covered with snow. This changing face of my hill state always amazes me. I know you will understand when I say that this place has a rare natural beauty that is best witnessed and experienced because it really can not be expressed with words.
To experience Sikkim truly it is best to know the people of Sikkim first after all they know their land more than any one. Camping, long walks, trekking and staying in villages are some ways you will understand the people and their cultures better.
Over the past few years tourism has increased tremendously here but it’s really sad to see the way it is progressing. In the capital town Gangtok and other towns buildings are coming up to accommodate more tourists, cars have clogged the roads and tourists have no hesitation in throwing an empty pack of chips anywhere they want. I wonder at times is this what most people want… is this their idea of visiting a new place… do they get satisfaction out of it… will they go back and say “ I have been to Sikkim” but will they ever be able to say “ I know Sikkim I have experienced it”. If people seek the same confusion and congestion that they get in their daily life then I guess they have got it. But I am sure there are many like me who would seek to know the real Sikkim, not in the urban areas but in the villages, camping near the river or the woods, waking up to the sound of nature not the honking of the cars, breathing the fresh clean air, capturing amazing views and sites on camera… in a sense just relaxing and absorbing the surroundings feeling the beauty of the place not just seeing it. So if you are planning a trip to Sikkim think … what is it you want? Do you want to just visit it the commercial way or do you want to make your visit a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. The choice is yours it always has been.
Blue green hills, white gushing rivers and plenty of waterfalls is the description of the drive from Gangtok to Tanggu. More than your eyes can take that is the kind of beauty North Sikkim has to offer. I had the pleasure of taking a trip to North Sikkim last year and after the trip I pretty much had nothing to say coz the natural beauty of the place left me speechless. In this have jotted down my Tanggu and Gurudongmar experience.
The drive up to Tanggu takes about 6 hours from Gangtok normally but we took a little longer due to a landslide where we were stuck for about 2 hours but I am not complaining. These two hours gave me plenty of opportunity to try out my photography skills and I must admit I got some pretty good shots out there.
By the time we reached Tanggu it was dark so we could not explore much, but a lovely bonfire, lots of booz and good company gave us the much needed heat from the freezing November chills. When we woke up in the morning we had a surprise waiting for us. A giant snow covered mountain stood right in front of us shinning in all its glory with the morning sun. A big grin and WOW! Is all the expression I could gather from that view. The site had made my day, but the day had just begun.
Gurudongmar Lake or Green Lake as it is popularly called was the reason why we were here in the first place. This Lake stands at a staggering 18000 Ft above sea level hence a halt at Tanggu to acclimatize is very necessary because altitude sickness can be very dangerous. I did not know what 
to expect and I was very excited. After breakfast we made our two hour long drive or rather climb on the mountain. Cold but fresh and natural, I felt that I had entered the land of the mountains. After driving for an hour bang the landscape completely changes the green pine trees and colorful bushes have given way to baron land, loads of rocks and snow peaks standing right in front of your eyes. The majestic mountains seems so close to you that you feel you can run and touch them but of course it’s a classic case of “ so close yet so far”.
Where is this Lake? I was getting impatient after the drive my expectation had increased 10 folds now. We finally reached and I rushed from the car, I tried to run phew! Try running at 18000Ft. After climbing a small hillock there it was, a blue green lake clear as a crystal shimmering like an emerald surrounded by giant mountains with just rocks all around. I felt something, I felt humbled by the 
beauty I felt blessed to have been present there. Honestly I felt like staying back, giving up everything that I had worked for, I felt peace and happiness. This is one place if you sit silently for sometime you can actually hear your own thoughts.
The legend has it Gurudongmar Lake is a holy place; this lake is worshiped by the Hindus and Buddhist. You actually feel it; there is definitely something about this place that just can not be explained it has to be experienced.
It was indeed difficult to tear yourself from there and make your way back down but boy! it would have been even more difficult if we would have stayed any further coz as the local people told us after 12 o’ clock winds 
so strong starts blowing that stones actually starts flying around. Unless you want to be pelted with stones its suggested that you reach early and head back early.
All in all a wonderful experience totally more than my expectation; yes maybe now the benchmark of my expectations has risen a lot. But if you are planning to visit this place just ensure that you have a few days in hand so that you can absorb the local surroundings, lifestyle and culture. This will make the visit more that that it will make it a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.
We are a bunch of 5 young people who belong to Sikkim, Nature Bug is what we call ourselves. Having been educated outside Sikkim most of our life has made us appreciate our home and its surroundings even more. Though we have very different education background, different careers but we have one thing in common love for our land and respect for nature.
For the past 4 years we have been exploring Sikkim in various ways; trekking, mountain biking, camping etc we have been to places not present on the tourist maps currently. Remote, intriguing and beautiful places; places that gives you a deep sense of gratitude, happines
s and peace. Places so serine and beautiful it is actually an overwhelming and humbling experience. Now we would like to share our experience with people from all over who are looking for the same. This blog is our dedicated effort to share our experiences with many others like us and also provide an opportunity to others who would like to know The REAL SIKKIM. We want to show you our land the way we see it, we want you to experience it not just visit it.
Through this blog we invite all nature lovers, adventure seekers, photographers and abstract thinkers.
coexist in peace and harmony. A true reflection of the simplicity and the inner beauty of the people of Sikkim. Their respect for one another, others cultures, religions and their surroundings makes me ever so proud to belong to this place. Also the smile on everyone’s face is something that you will definitely notice here. If we must then we can broadly classify Sikkimese people into Lephcas, Bhutias and the Nepalese. The language spoken is predominantly Nepali but several local languages like Lepcha, Bhutia, Tibetan and many more are also spoken in their respective communities. Though only 28% of the people follow Buddhism but undoubtedly Buddhist culture dominates the entire Sikkim map; from building structures to handicraft to food and monasteries you can see the rich color and heritage of Bhutias all across Sikkim. Personally the local food and booze is what I love, you can not get the same flavor anywhere else.
green hills towering over them and snow clad mountains behind the hills are the most common site that you see as you travel along Sikkim. Every season brings a different beauty and a totally different experience with it. Spring brings with it a burst of colors where every little plant flowers along the village path, rains brings you the light shade of green all over the forest and the paddy fields, autumn brings the hue of the golden harvest that shimmers with the moon and winter brings with it fire to keep you warm and different hills each day that you can see covered with snow. This changing face of my hill state always amazes me. I know you will understand when I say that this place has a rare natural beauty that is best witnessed and experienced because it really can not be expressed with words.
