Sikkim: Palace on Paradise

Sikkim has many names. The Lepchas, call it 'Nye-mae-el' or `Paradise'. The Limbus named it 'Su Khim' or `New house' while to the Bhutias it is 'Beymul Demazong' or `The hidden valley of rice'.



Travellers embarking on a journey of Sikkim discover a mystical wonderland of spectacular natural beauty.

The crowning glory of Sikkim is Mt. Kanchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world.



Even today the mountain god is invoked and prayed to during Pang Lhabsol, a major Sikkimese festival, which also commemorates the blood brotherhood sworn between the Lepchas and the Bhutias at Kabi in the fifteenth century.

It was once a Himalayan monarchy and part of the fabled Silk Route to China.



The mountain sides are dotted with many caves which are considered holy by the people and revered as places of pilgrimage.

With magnificent snow and ice scenery it is often regarded as the undisputed monarch among the peaks of the world. 

But for the Sikkimese, Kanchendzonga is much more than a mountain and is revered as the abode of their guardian deity 'Dzo-nga'.

The sacred mountain can be viewed from every corner of Sikkim and remains an intrinsic part of the consciousness of the people.

Climate varies from tropical to temperate to alpine, bestowing on the land an intense natural heritage.

Lush and thick forests, flush with blooms of exotic flora, hilly expanses embellished by Sikkim's two main rivers, the Teesta and the Rangeet, the picturesque villages, hot springs and waterfalls have a compelling appeal.

The panoramic perfection of the snow-capped Himalayas, the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture and joyous festivals, the infinite variety of its flora and fauna makes it a holiday that is at once fascinating and challenging.
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