| Sikkim
Paradise on Earth !
Sikkim, an erstwhile Himalayan kingdom, has been a state of India
since its merger in 1075. Located in the Himalayas, it is wedged in between kingdoms
of Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. With an area of 7069sq.kms, it has
a rectangular shape measuring about 114kms from the north to south and 64kms from
east to west. The elevation varies between 3000m to 8500m. Sikkim, an erstwhile
Himalayan kingdom, has been a state of India since its merger in 1075. Located
in the Himalayas, it is wedged in between kingdoms of Nepal in the west and Bhutan
in the east. With an area of 7069sq.kms, it has a rectangular shape measuring
about 114kms from the north to south and 64kms from east to west. The elevation
varies between 3000m to 8500m. The greater Himalayas from a natural boundary with
Tibet and the Singalila range, with Mt. Kanchchen dzonga (8545m), the third highest
peak in the world runs north to south separating Sikkim from Nepal. On the eastern
front the Chola range borders with Tibet and the Pangola range further down separates
Sikkim from Bhutan.
Finally, the vast plains of Bengal open out in the
south to from a horse shoe of the ranges bordering Sikkim. A spectacular bird’s
eye view of Sikkim with it’s mountain ranges can be seen from Maenam Peak (3200m”)
and Tendong peak (2580m) in south Sikkim. These peaks are accessible from ravangla
for two/three days trek. The major riovers, Teesta and rangeet, flow from north
to south creating deep gorges which divide Sikkim into three longitudal strips.
The valleys in north are wider like Yumthang (3600m) and Lachung(2700m) valleys,
which are easily accessible by roads. These Rhododendron laden are areas deep
in the mountains are inhabited by lachungpas, who have preserved and maintained
till now a unique culture and society governed by a village council-“Dzomsa”.
The Teesta and Rangeeta rivers also offers the thrill of riding the wild waters.
|
Trekking
