SIKKIM BECKONS by Swati Chaudhury

ESSAYS: Emerging tourist trails
Posted by barunroy on March 23, 2009

FROM THE STATESMAN

Sikkim beckons, writes Swaati Chaudhury

SIKKIM is an all-weather destination and has captured the hearts of millions of tourists with its luxuriant forests, snow-capped mountain ranges, rhododendron splendour, pristine waterfalls, holy caves, medicinal hot springs and gently flowing streams. Of late, its tourism department has endeavoured to promote out-of-the-way destinations and provide home-stay facilities. The inviting destinations are Darap in west Sikkim, Kabi in the north and Pakyong in the east.

To encourage local unemployed youths to sustain themselves, the tourism department is encouraging them to come up with arrangements for home-stay facilities for tourists. The three destinations are inhabited by three distinct tribes, namely the Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalis, each with an indigenous culture and traditions of their own. All the new getaways offer a lot of activity for tourists.

Says Madan Kumar Pradhan, deputy director of Sikkim Tourism, “Tourists can walk down hamlets and visit the monastery at Kabi or drop in at Karthok monastery at Pakyong. About three kilometres from Pakyong Bazar is Changey monastery, while Jhandi Dara is a four-kilometre trek from Pakyong and Karthok Cave is another 12.5 km from Pakyong Bazar. There is also a meditation centre at Pachey, nearly three kilometres from Pakyong.”

Kachery House at Pakyong Bazar is a heritage building dating back to the 18th century and has been the creation of Taksari, Chandra Bir Pradhan. This huge structure is home to ancient Nepali art and culture, a wide spectrum of Nepali and Sikkim handicrafts and is open to visitors. Besides, there are items and tools belonging to the British era.

At Pakyong, tourists can catch marvellous views of Kanchejunga peak. Rhododendrons are in full bloom here during April and May. Says Pradhan, “All the three destinations offer wondrous glimpses of the lofty Himalayan peaks and are steadily emerging as new tourist hotspots. Pakyong is all set to get a new Greenfield airport, the foundation of which was laid on 28 February this year. Construction work has already begun.” Tourists can head for Sikkim during the monsoon when the temperature is between 15º-18º Celsius.

For adventure lovers or those looking for solitude or leisure, there are tours for all segments of tourists and accommodation to suit all budgets. The drive along meandering roads offers a thrilling experience. The land is a haven for adventure buffs, with opportunities for trekking, mountain biking, angling, rock climbing, mountain flights and birdwatching. “Tourism serves as the growth engine for overall economic and social development in the state. Sikkim has recently bagged the best state award in the sphere of tourism-related products,” adds Pradhan.