General Information | Places of Interest

       An Indian state located at the eastern Himalayas spread below the Mt. Khangchendzonga (8534 Mt's) the 3rd highest mountain in the world. The Sikkim shears the state borders - Nepal in the west, people's republic of China to the north-east and Bhutan in south-east. Sikkim is geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas.The climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine.Sikkim is a popular tourist destination owing to its culture, scenic beauty and biodiversity, Sikkim's hot springs are known for medical and therapeutic values. The most important hot springs are at Phurchchu (Reshi), yumthang ,yumesamdong,Borang, Ralang. They have high sulphur content and are located near river banks. The average temp. of the water in these hot springs is 50degree c (122degree f).

Flora and fauna: Sikkim is situated in an ecological hot spot,of the lower Himalayas,one of only three among the egregious of India.The flora of Sikkim includes the Rhododendron, the state tree, with range of species occurring from subtiopical to alpine region,Orchids,figs, laurel, bananas,Sal trees and bamboo are found at lower altitude oak, chestnuts,maples,birches,chir,pine alders and magnolias grow in elevations above 1,500 meters (4,900ft), at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 meters juniper,pine,firs,cypresses variety of rhododendrons and wild flowers.around 5,000 flowers plants,515 rare Orchids, 60 primula spices, 36 Rhododendron, 11 Oak 23 bamboo 11 coifer.The Orchid Dendrobiom nobile is the official flower of Sikkim .The fauna include the Snow leopard,the Musk deer,Himalayan Tahr, red panda, Himalayan Mar not,the serow the goral,barking deer,common langur, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard,marbled cat, leopard cat,wild dog,Tibetan wolf dog, badder,binrurong,jungle cat,civet cat. Alpine zone animals Yaks are also commonly found,State animal is Red Panda.

Sikkim also has rich diversity of arthropods, many of which remain unstudied even today.As with the rest of India the most 695 butterfly spices found in the Sikkim, These include the endangered Kaiser-hind,Yellow Gorgon and the Bhutan Glory,
 

Visa & Permits : All foreign tourists other than Nepal and Bhutan Nationals required a Passport with an Indian visa prior to arrival. Visitors require an Inner Line Permit (ILP)to enter sikkim.An ILP id valid to 15 days,which can be extended further.ILP's are available at all Indian Missions, Sikkim Tourist offices at New Delhi, Kokkata, Siliguri and Rangpo Tourist lodge on the basis of an Indian Visa. Trekking, Tour permits to Sikkim for foreign tourist are allowed only in groups (minimum two persons) and must be arranged through a Sikkimese travel agents.