AIR
Gangtok is connected to Bagdogra, the nearest airport, by the Sikkim Helicopter Service, which provides the service five times a day, connecting all civil flights to and from Bagdogra. The 5-seater helicopter takes half an hour to make the journey and the fare is Rs 1,500 per person. Contact RNC Enterprise, M G Marg, Gangtok, for further information (Tel: 23 556). Bagdogra itself is well connected to Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati. Jet Airways and Indian Airlines have regular flights from Delhi and Calcutta.

Airport
There is no airport in Gangtok. The closest is at Bagdogra in north Bengal, 124 km (5 hrs) away. Indian Airlines has an office at Tibet Road (Tel: 29 482). Green Hotel has booking facilities for Jet Airways and Indian Airlines (Tel: 24 049).

RAIL
No railhead at Gangtok. But part of the journey can be undertaken by rail. Connections available from Calcutta, Lucknow, Delhi and other major cities to the nearest railhead. Rajdhani Express plies twice a day from Delhi.

Railway station
The two closest railheads are Siliguri (114 km) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km). You can reserve your rail tickets at the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) Bus Stand railway counter, where there is a special quota for trains departing from New Jalpaiguri (Tel: 22 016).

ROAD
Gangtok is well connected to Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri by road. Both private and government-owned transport is available.

Bus terminus
SNT Bus Stand is located on Paljor Stadium Road. The private bus stand is located 1 km south of this bus stand. Booking should be done in advance to avoid rush, especially during the Durga Puja months of September and October. Buses ply from Sikkim to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Bagdogra and Siliguri.

Climate
Summer temperatures are between 13°C and 20°C and winter temperatures range between 8 °C and 15°C.

STD Code
03592

Population
34,162

Languages
Sikimese, English, Hindi

Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom
Instituted for promoting and keeping alive the traditional arts and crafts of the state, the centre is a storehouse of handwoven woollen carpets, traditional motifs, blankets, shawls and wooden furniture. The visiting hours from Monday to Saturday are from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm (Tel: 23 126/ 22 928).

Enchey Monastery
This 200-year-old monastery, 3 km from downtown Gangtok, is built on the site blessed by the famous flying tantrik master Lama Druptop Karpo. It is an important seat of the Nyingma order. Every year in January, Chaam or the masked dance is performed with great fanfare for two days.

Do-Drul Chorten
The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the venerable Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma Order in 1945. Inside are the complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics (Holy Book), and other religious exhibits. There are 108 prayer wheels around the Stupa. Chorten Lakhang and Guru Lakhang are around the Stupa. There are also two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).

Sikkim Research Institute Of Tibetology
A renowned centre for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, with a vast and rare collection of Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and thankas. Over 200 Buddhist icons and other art objects are displayed here. Visiting hours - 10 am to 4 pm (Tel: 22 525).

Saramsa Garden
Located 14 km from Gangtok, this garden is home to Sikkim s many exotic orchids and rare tropical and temperate plants.

Rumtek Monastery
A replica of the original Kagyu Order headquarters in Tibet, it is at a distance of 24 km from Gangtok (45 minutes). Since the late 1960s after the arrival of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, the centre houses some of the world s most unique religious scriptures and religious art objects.

Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary
About 25 km from Gangtok, spread over 51.76 sq km, this sanctuary is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, specially orchids and rhododendrons.

WEST SIKKIM
Pemayangtse Monastery
One of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, it was originally established by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, and belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was here that all the religious functions of the erstwhile monarch were performed. The monastery is located on a hilltop at an altitude of 6840 ft.

Rabdentse Ruins
Till 1814 the King of Sikkim ruled from this place. Today the ruins can be approached on foot from the Pemayangtse Monastery.

Yuksom
The first capital of Sikkim, it was here that the first Chogyal (king) was consecrated by three learned Lamas. Evidences of the ceremony like the stone seats and a footprint of the Head Lama on stone can be seen here. Dubdi Monastery, which was established after the consecration ceremony, is another 30-35 minutes climb from Yuksom.

Tashiding Monastery
This monastery is built on a heart-shaped hill with the majestic Mt Khangchendzonga providing the perfect backdrop. According to the scriptures, Guru Padma Sambhava (Guru Rimpoche) blessed the land of Sikkim in the 8^th century from this place. The monastery was built here in the 18^th century. A sacred water festival called Bhumchu is celebrated on the 15^th day of the first Tibetan month every year.

Other destinations in West Sikkim
Khecheopalri Lake, Dubdi Monastery, Pelling.

SOUTH SIKKIM
Namchi
Nestled in the hills at a height of 5,500 ft, Namchi is the headquarters of the southern district, at a distance of 78 km from Gangtok and 100 km from Siliguri. Tendong Hill is above Damthang overlooking Namchi. It is a fast developing major tourist destination. The Temi Tea Gardens, the only existing tea estate in Sikkim, originates from Tendong Hill.

Ravangla
One of the four holiest caves in Sikkim, Shar Chok Bephu is a short trek from Ravangla. This small town is situated at the base of Menam Hill, at a height of 10,300 ft.

Borong
At a motorable distance from Ravangla or a trek via Menam, is Borong ? a village, which is home to the Hot Springs Borong Tsa-Chu .

Versey
At an elevation of 10,000 ft and a 4-km trek from Hilley is the Versey Rhododendron Sanctuary.

NORTH SIKKIM
(Most of the north is closed to foreign nationals)

Kabi Lungchok
This is the place where the historic treaty of Blood Brotherhood between the Lepcha Chief Te-Kung-Tek and the Bhutia Chief Khey-Bum-Sar was signed. A memorial stone pillar marks the spot.

Phensong Monastery
Built in 1721 during the time of Jigme Pawo, this monastery is under the Nyingmapa Buddhist order. It was gutted in a fire in1947 and rebuilt in 1948. The annual festival of ?Chaam? (Masked Dance) is performed on the 28^th and 29^th day of the 10^th month of the Tibetan Calendar.

You can shop for hand-woven Tibetan carpets, thankas, woodwork, Sikkimese dresses, scarves and jewellery in Lal Bazaar, in the super market and from the Sikkim Rural Development Agency Showroom.