The Best of Sikkim

GURUDONGMAR LAKE
One of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 17,800ft on an extension of the Tibetan Plateau, this lake holds great religious significance for the Bud&shydhists of Sikkim. The lake remains fro&shyzen during the winter and foreign tour&shyists require a special permit to visit it. Located a mere five kilometres away from the Tibetan border, the magnifi&shycent lake stands under the shadow of the sacred peak of Khangchen Gyao. Fed by glaciers and snow-melt from the plateau, it is renowned for its stark rug&shygedness and unparalleled beauty. The lake region also has an abundance of high-altitude wildlife such as yaks and blue sheep. The best time to visit is be&shytween March and June. Gurdongmar Lake is a 4&ndash5 hour drive from Sikkim&rsquos cap&shyital, Gangtok.

BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden near Gangtok is a paradise for those with a bug for flora. With its different species of rare flowers, plants and trees, &lsquopretty&rsquo would be an understatement for this park. A perfect destination for travel&shylers looking for Sikkim&rsquos endemic trees and plants like orchids, the garden also attracts tourists from around the country for its picturesque layout and its proximity to the Rumtek Monas&shytery. The garden houses numerous species of orchids and over 50 differ&shyent species of trees including a num&shyber of oaks. Foreigners need a permit to enter, which can be taken from Sili&shyguri. The Botanical Garden is located 24km from Gangtok and you can hire a taxi for a day-trip that also includes a visit to the Rumtek Monastery.

LACHUNG & YUMTHANG
While travelling around North Sikkim, stop&shyping for a few days at Yumthang and Lachung is an absolute no-brainer. La&shychung is an exquisite little riverside town often described as the &lsquomost pic&shyturesque village in Sikkim&rsquo, while the Yumthang Valley is renowned for its stunning variety of wildflowers, locat&shyed on meadows beyond the treeline. Picturesque valleys, waterfalls, rivers, authentic little villages and a breath&shytaking view of the snowcapped Hima&shylaya make Yumthang and Lachung unique destinations in Sikkim, perfect for travellers looking for a short get&shyaway from civilisation. Bagdogra airport in West Bengal is about 128km away from Lachung while the nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri, about 127km away.