INDIA - generous of spirit, land, culture and people, it finds itself in a state of flux. Freedom, democracy and tolerance are its treasures. From mountains to plains, coast to desert, the subcontinent presents an incredible density of humanity, and an extra ordinary variety of forms, color and history.
Getting there:
Nepal has an easy connection to get into India.
By Air
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal.
There are four airlines to operate their flights between Nepal and India to its popular cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Varanasi and Banglore. Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara have easy access to main Indian cities from Kathmandu.
Overland
The following entry points are used to get into India from Nepal. A very good network of bus and train services is available then.
Eastern Nepal: Kakarvitta, Jhapa
Central Nepal: Birganj, Parsa
Western Nepal: Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi)
Mid-Western Nepal: Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke)
Far-Western Nepal: Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali)
Far-Western Nepal: Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur)
Entry requirements:
Visa:
All foreigners intending to visit India have to have an Indian visa that can be obtained at any Indian Embassy or Mission abroad. For Sikkim, the inner state permit, which is also a must, can be obtained along with the visa.
Things to do in India:
Excursion
Trekking
Wildlife
Cultural tours
Places of interest in India:
Sikkim
Darjeeling
Kashmir
Delhi
Agra
Jaipur
Varanasi
SIKKIM (LAND OF MYSTIC SPLENDOR):
Sikkim is located between Nepal, China (Tibet), Bhutan and West Bengal (India) with an elevation ranging from 285m to 8540m. Sikkim is considered as the ultimate Paradise for Botanist with over 4000 species of flowering plants including an incredible 600 species of orchid. For real adventure seekers, the trekking trails have green forests, rhododendron-covered hillsides, remote monasteries, glaciers, high passes and magnificent mountain views. Khanchendzonga (8435m), the third highest mountain in the world, lies in the small state of Sikkim, India.
Trekking in Sikkim:
1. PEMAYANGTSE - DZONGRI (15 days):
PEMAYANGTSE - YAKSUM - BAKKHIM - DZONGRI - THANGSING - GOECHE~LA and back: Ask more details.
2. PEMAYANGTSE - GANGTOK (9 days):
PEMAYANGTSE - YAKSUM - TASHIDING - BRANG - RABONGLA - GANGTOK: Ask more details.
3. PEMAYANGTSE - GANGTOK (13 days):
PEMAYANGTSE - YAKSUM - BAKKHIM - DZONGRI - THANGSING - ARRALUNGUCHUK - TASHIDING - GANGTOK: Ask more details.
4. NAYA BAZAAR - GANGTOK (8 days):
NAYA BAZAAR - HILLEY - BERSAY - DHAP - DANTAM - PEMAYANGTSE - GANGTOK: Ask more details.
5. NAYA BAZAAR - PEMAYANGTSE (7 days):
NAYA BAZAAR - HILLEY - BRANG - KALIJHAR - CHIWABBHANJANG - DANTAM - PEMAYANGTSE: Ask more details.
Places to see in Sikkim:
Chorten:
Situated near the orchid sanctuary, one can see the young lamas here working, learning and worshipping.
Deer Park:
Located at 0.6 km just near the Secretariat, the Deer Park provides a commanding view of the expansive valleys surrounding the city of Gangtok. The charming Himalayan spotted and musk deer may be seen here.
Enchey Ancient Monastery:
Located at 5 km in a forest on a hill; the monastery offers one of the best views of the mountain range of Kanchenjunga.
Government Cottage Industries Institute:
Situated near the Tourist Office, the institute specializes in weaving, woodcarving and paintings of typical Sikkimese designs. The most popular items are hand woven carpets, blankets, shawls and exquisite tables.
Orchid Sanctuary:
Located within the premises of the Research Institute of Tibetology, the sanctuary offers an amazing sight of more than 250 varieties of orchids, which bloom in April-May and December-January.
Research Institute of Tibetology:
Located at 4 km a splendid example of traditional architecture, the institute has a library with a large collection of Tibetan books on science, medicine, astrology and others. It is also a center of study for Buddhist scholars who come here from all over the world.
Tashi View Point:
Located at 9 km a popular picnic spot from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Kanchenjunga.
Tsuklakhang:
Located at 1.5 km a sacred place built several decades ago within the premises of the palace. This royal chapel is the scene of many grand ceremonies and festivals. It is a treasure house of monastic art, wall paintings, lavishly decorated altars holding the images of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and the Tantric deities and beautiful wood carvings.
Places at a distance:
Bakkhim:
Yaksum is the base for Bakkhim, an exhilarating place with more than 20 varieties of rhododendrons splashing all around the valley. Bakkhim is also the base for mountaineers and trekkers going to Dzongri 10 km away.
Dzongri:
Situated at an altitude of over 3962m, it offers the most fascinating view of the Kanchenjunga massif. Just opposite is the Pandium Peak (6890m) cloaked in thick snow. To the left is the deep gorge of Goeche~La. The sight of sunset at Dzongri is unforgettable.
Pemayangtse:
The Pemayangtse monastery-the sublime lotus-is situated at an altitude of 2085m and is the second oldest monastery. Rabdentse near Pemayangtse was once the capital of Sikkim. The walls and ceilings of the monastery are painted with brilliantly hued frescoes of gods and demons. The view of mountain range of Kanchenjunga from here is superb. Pemayangtse is an ideal base for trekking to Yaksum.
Rumtek:
A 37 km drive from Gangtok in the west through lovely countryside brings you to Rumtek-a monastery of great beauty and significance. Rumtek is a splendid example of the Tibetan monastic art in Sikkim. It is now the residence of His Holiness and the headquarters of the Dharma Chakra Religious Center.
Tashiding Monastery:
A few kilometers from Pemayangtse is the holiest shrine in Sikkim at Tashiding, also known as Chogyal Lakhang. Tashiding stands on top of a thickly wooded hill and is a day's trek from Pemayangtse. Every spring, thousands of devout Buddhists trek to Tashiding to participate in a festival and sip the sacred water from an ancient stone jar, which, miraculously never runs dry.
Yaksum:
Literally means the 'meeting of three great lamas'. Three lamas at this picturesque place consecrated the first ruler of Sikkim. There is also a lovely little lake here. Yaksum is the base for mountain climbing course organized by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
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DARJEELING:
Nestled in the Himalayas, Darjeeling is situated at an altitude of 2134 meters. The name of the town has been derived from 'Dorje Ling' meaning 'the Place of the Dorje'- the Mystic.
KASHMIR:
Kashmir is known as Indian Himalayan Paradise. It is situated on the northwest of India close to Pakistan and Tibet. Kashmir is more famous for lakes and houseboats. The main product of Kashmir is shawl known as 'Kashmiri shawls'. Leh and Srinagar are interesting places of Kashmir.
DELHI:
Delhi, the capital city of India, is the most accessible and rewarding place for first-time visitors. Parks and gardens are plentiful and street life is colorful here. Traditionally, said to be formed out of seven successive cities, Delhi is an agglomeration of numerous districts each with its own history and character. Temples, mosques and Sikh gurudwaras are outlined in garlands of light bulbs. Crafts Museum, Gandhi Darshan and Gandhi National Museum, Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum, National Museum and Nehru Memorial Museum are the places to see in Delhi.
AGRA:
Agra's prominence on the tourist trail is due to one monument alone, the Taj Mahal. This is the glory of Mughal India built as an expression of love.
Taj Mahal:
Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife, Begam Mumtaz, who died giving birth to her 14th child. The heartbroken emperor determined to construct a monument in memory of his beloved wife.
JAIPUR:
The Rajput Maharaja Jai Singh II founded the highly commercialized pink capital of Rajasthan in 1727. Jaipur's attractions extend northwards to Amer, the former capital of the Kachhwaha rulers. Despite devoting so many wars, Rajasthan developed a rich crafts tradition under the patronage of its numerous kings and nobles. Every March during the national festival of Holi, Jaipur's magnificent elephants are paraded through the city streets in dazzling finery.
VARANASI:
The holiest of holy places in India is Varanasi, a city with a virtually unrivalled status in Hindu mythology. The town is located on the bank of holy river, the Ganges. It is one of the important places to be visited by a Hindu in his lifetime. More than any other Indian town, it incarnets the incomparable complexities of Hindu rituals and worship. This city is also popular as an important center of learning and the arts. It is one of the oldest towns in Asia. Varanasi produces many stunning silks and brocades sold much in Delhi.
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