Adventure Mountain-Biking in North Sikkim now on the cards

VISHNU NEOPANEY

Gangtok: After Skiing, North Sikkim will soon add to its tourism fixture Adventure Mountain Biking, as in West Sikkim, to promote adventure tourism in the state.
The trail route has been marked as Singba to Yumi-Samdong via Chungthang in Lachung side and back to Chungthang to proceed further upto Gurudongmar in Lachen side. The route will be open for both foreign and domestic tourists. Paljor Lachungpa, President of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), told Sikkim Reporter that all the tours and Adventure Mountain Biking will be arranged through registered travel agencies to promote adventure tourism in the state.

Despite bitter experience of 2nd Kanchendzonga Adventure Mountain Biking, which was organized by the Tourism Department last year, private sector people are engaged in promoting Adventure Mountain Biking in North Sikkim after West Sikkim with new concept and fresh mind, Mr. Lachungpa said. “TAAS and SATO have learned lesson from the bitter experience and won’t give chance for that to repeat again”, he said. Adventure Mountain Biking will not only promote Sikkim brand but also promote quality tourism, he added.

Sikkim tourism industry will get another boost by International Rhododendron Fest, which is a hallmark of this International Tourism Year. Month long International Rhododendron Fest in Sikkim begins on April 24 to promote eco-friendly quality tourism. Sikkim is known for its rich bio-diversity and heritage with the treasure of 39 types of Rhododendron, 9 of which are listed as rare species.
Taking about promotion of eco-tourism in Sikkim, Mr. Lachungpa said North and West Sikkim have a huge reserve of flora and fauna to attract more tourists in the state, including quality tourists in good numbers.

Sikkim has been included in Pilgrimage tourism list through Buddhist Circuit under Incredible India campaign to promote cultural and pilgrimage heritage of Sikkim in tourism sector. It will boast another aspect of tourism in Sikkim.

The news of the unique Rhododendron Fest has already gone far and wide as it is evident from the fact that a week before the fest begins, all the hotels are booked and still foreign tourists are pouring in looking for hotels, a visibly happy TAAS President informed. “It’s a good sign of promotion of Sikkim brand”, he quipped. He appeals to all hoteliers and travel and tour operators of Sikkim to maintain cordial relationship with the foreign and domestic tourists and cooperate with then till their Sikkim visit is over, “not only in business interest but also to keep Sikkim brand intact”.

source:sikkim reporter