Would you like to trek to the foot of Mt Kanchendzonga, take a dip in a natural hot spring, or go wild with your camera, capturing rhododendrons in full bloom? If that’s your kind of holiday, head for Sikkim.

Though the state is no longer out of bounds for tourists, you need an Inner Line permit to travel there. Sikkim is quiet and unspoilt, making it a popular tourist destination. Says Runku Sarda, director operations, Brother’s Tours, a Gangtok-based travel agency: “Mostly, our clients are repeat visitors who are interested in the Buddhist circuit.”

The best time to visit Sikkim is between April and July. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 124km from Gangtok. There’s also a once-a-week 30-minute helicopter service between Gangtok and Bagdogra. The closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, 16km from Siliguri.

North Sikkim

Make sure you take the right permits to travel to North Sik-kim. Adds Sailesh Pradhan, director, Sikkim Adventure, a travel age-ncy in Gangtok: “This is the most sensitive part of Sikkim and you need permits which can be arranged by any travel agent in Gangtok.”

“This region is a paradise for flower lovers,” says Pradhan. Don’t miss the famous Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Other highlights include the famous Yumthang Valley at an altitude of 11,800ft. Organised tours take you to places like Lachung, a tiny village situated at 8,610ft. And don’t forget to take a dip in any of the 14 hot sulphur springs at Yumesamdong at an altitude of 15,300ft. In all, you need about three to four days to explore North Sikkim.

Hot ticket!

Sikkim Adventure offers a Gangtok-to-Lachung Valley tour for four nights/ five days for Rs 10,800 per person. This includes accommodation on twin-sharing basis at 3-star hotels, all meals, transport and a guide.

South Sikkim

This region is for culture buffs. Lukendra Rasialy, director, Sikkim Tours & Travels says: “The focus here is primarily on monasteries.”

So you have a huge 135ft statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Namchi, the capital of south Sikkim which is about 78km from Gangtok. The foundation stone of this statue was laid by the Dalai Lama. Then, there’s the Bon Monastery, located in Kewzing, about 76km from Gangtok.

Visit the popular Temi tea garden and don’t miss the village tour of Ravangla at a height of 7,000ft.

Hot ticket!

Sikkim Tours & Travels offers a Gangtok-to-Borong tour, a four nights/ five days package, for Rs 15,650 per person. This includes accommodation in 3-star hotels, all meals and sightseeing, including monasteries and villages.

East Sikkim

No trip to Sikkim is complete without a trip to Gangtok, the headquarters of east Sikkim. The exotic orchids that grow here are a highlight along with the local cuisine that’s served in most Gangtok restaurants.

East Sikkim is also known for its monasteries like the popular Rumtek Monastery, located 24km from Gangtok and the Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery, some 20km from Gangtok. The Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, an exact replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tibet, is a short drive from Gangtok. A visit to the Nathu La Pass, the trading post between India and China, is fascinating. You’ll need two to three days to explore east Sikkim.

Hot ticket!

Sikkim Adventure has a Bagdogra-to-Gangtok tour for four days and three nights for Rs 14,500 per person. This includes accommodation in 3-star hotels, all meals, transport and sightseeing.

West Sikkim

West Sikkim is mainly a trekking region. From a day’s trek to a week-long trek, different agencies can customise your trekking schedule.

The most popular trek takes one to the foot of Mt Kanchendzonga, the world’s third highest peak. Trek from Yoksum (125km away from Gangtok) to Goeche La Pass at 5,000m. Or you could try the Goecha La trek which starts from Yuksom and takes about a week to reach Goecha La. The Dzongri trek is shorter and takes less than a week.

Hot ticket!

Sikkim Tours & Travels offers a Gangtok-to-Yuksom trek for Rs 15,650 per person for four nights/ five days. This includes accommodation in 3-star hotels, all meals and sightseeing.