Sikkim: Between Serenity and Summit
By Manoj Sharma
There are places that touch you gently and others that challenge you deeply — Sikkim, somehow, does both. This remote Himalayan jewel offers two contrasting yet harmonious journeys: one through its timeless monasteries, emerald tea gardens, and misty ridges, and another through rugged trails beneath the towering shadow of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
This October, we explored both faces of Sikkim — first, a classical road journey through its cultural heartland, and then, a trek to the fabled Goecha La viewpoint at 16,200 feet.
The Classical Journey: Monasteries, Tea, and the Mountains’ Whisper
Kurseang Town with its spawning tea gardens
Our story began in Darjeeling, still steeped in its colonial charm and the aroma of first-flush teas.
UNESCO Heritage Steam Engines, Darjeeling
From the toy train’s rhythmic chug to the early morning view of Kanchenjunga glowing pink in the first light, Darjeeling remains as poetic as ever. Staying at the Windamere Hotel, with its century-old colonial spirit, felt like slipping into another era.
Tea pickers at Temi Tea Garden
Crossing into Sikkim, the journey wound through rolling hills and emerald plantations to the Temi Tea Garden — the only tea estate in Sikkim. Here, amid songs, laughter, and cups of steaming organic brew, we discovered a slice of old-world grace.
Monks at Raong Monastery
At Ravangla, the serene Buddha Park stood majestic, while nearby monasteries at Ralong and Palchen Choling echoed with chants of centuries-old prayers.
Snow covered fields of Lachung
Lachung justified its remote tag with it closeness to Tibet and its alpine chill.
New Phadong Monastery was remote, hidden and spectacular!
Rumtek Monastery
Gangtok’s blend of tradition and modernity, and its famous yet controversial Rumtek monastery enticed us into its golden past.
Khecheopalri Lake
Pelling’s golden sunsets over Kanchenjunga — unfolded another mood of Sikkim and the Khecheopalri Lake was sublime.
Dubdi Monastery
At Pemayangtse and Dubdi monasteries, legends whispered through murals and prayer flags — of lamas who once blessed these lands. Finally, Kalimpong wrapped up the circuit with its market bustle and British-era schools, a gentle reminder that Sikkim’s soul thrives in both stillness and song.
The Goecha La Trek: A Walk into the Heart of the Himalaya
And then came the shift — from gentle roads to steep, stone-paved trails.
Kabru Group of Mountains from Yoksum
From Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim, we stepped into Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The air grew thinner, the forest denser — moss-draped rhododendrons giving way to high alpine meadows.
Pack Yaks on the Trail
We crossed wooden bridges over rushing rivers, camped under star-flecked skies, and woke to the call of Himalayan magpies.
High Camp under the Kanchenjunga Massif
At Dzongri, our first glimpse of the Kanchenjunga massif stopped us in our tracks — a panorama of snow-clad peaks glowing in dawn’s first blush. Days blended into one another — long walks, laughter over card games (“Choukdi” became our evening ritual), and quiet moments by Samiti Lake, where the water mirrored Pandim’s icy summit.
Golden Sunrise from Goecha La.
On the morning of October 26, we began our final ascent at 3 a.m., our headlamps cutting through the darkness. As the sky blushed over Lower Goecha La, Kanchenjunga appeared — vast, luminous, otherworldly. It was less a view and more a visitation — a moment when nature demanded silence, not applause.
The Two Sikkims
The classical route through monasteries, tea gardens, and heritage hotels revealed Sikkim’s spiritual grace. The trek to Goecha La revealed its untamed grandeur. Together, they form a complete portrait — of a land that nurtures the soul and humbles the spirit.
As we ended our journey in Delhi, a line from the trail stayed with me: “It was the best of times.” Indeed, Sikkim had given us more than photographs — it had given us perspective.
🧭 Travel Notes
Aspect
Details
Best Time to Visit
March–May and October–November
Classic Circuit Highlights
Darjeeling, Temi, Ravangla, Lachung, Gangtok, Pelling, Kalimpong
Trek Duration
8 days (Yuksom → Goecha La → Yuksom)
Difficulty Level
Moderate to Challenging
Permits Required
Khangchendzonga National Park & North Sikkim Restricted Area
Accommodation Style
Heritage Hotels & Comfortable Tented Camps
Essentials to Carry
Warm layers, waterproofs, sturdy boots, reusable water bottle
📸 “Sikkim stays with you — in the echo of monastery bells, in the scent of tea, and in the hush of a Himalayan dawn.”
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