Sikkim-
'the best kept secret in the Himalayas'- is nestled between
Nepal to its west, Bhutan in the east and Tibet- the autonomous
region of the People's Republic of China on its northern
border. Sikkim, "The Land of Mountain Crest"- one of the
most beautiful nooks in the Himalayas offers visitors nature
in all its grandeur. It is the ultimate paradise for Botanist
and Plant lovers, including an incredible 600 species of
Orchid.
For adventure lovers, the unrivalled trekking trails offer
verdant forests, rhododendron covered hill sides, remote
monasteries, glaciers, high passes and magnificent mountain
views are all available in Sikkim.
This small structure of rugged land may just be a speck
on the world map but its size belies its richness and diversity
of culture, customs, heritage, flora and fauna.
The world's third highest mountains Mt. Kanchanjunga (8435
MTR/28156 Ft.) and its attendant peaks Talung, Siniolchu,
Pan-Hunri, Simvo and Jopuno lies in the small state of Sikkim.
General Information:
Area: 7096 Sq. KM
Altitude (Gangtok): 1547 MTR
Population: 5,00,000 (Appx.)
Common Spoken Language: Sikkimese, Nepalese, Hindi, English
and Bengali.
DARJEELING:
Situated
at an altitude of 2134 meters and known as "The Queen
of the Hills", Darjeeling is a popular hill station
in eastern India.
Perched with a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas peaks
of Mt. Kanchanjunga, it has attracted many generations of
visitors to enjoy the joys of the cool and healthy climbs
of the mountains. Darjeeling was the very first "hill
sanitarium" developed by the British to escape from
the hot Indians summer of Gangetic Bengal.
'Darjeeling' and 'excellent tea' have become synonymous.
Tea drinkers the world over must constantly bless the memory
of the person whom decides around 1840 that the climate
of the Darjeeling region was very conducive to the growth
of Tea. Huge forest areas were cleared and tea was planted
then and is still considered a tea estate at present.
Darjeeling Tea became so famous for its aroma and taste
that it was soon named the 'Champagne of the East'.
