10 Popular Short Treks in Sikkim
Sikkim, also known as the valley of rice and the land of tranquility and peace, is a beautiful state in North India and the most famous aspect of this state is trekking.
Throughout the year, tourists flood the state with their visits and go on nature treks to spend time in nature’s company.
The main attraction of Sikkim, Mount Khangchendzonga, glorifies the state’s beauty and entices the tourists to appreciate its splendor and come for trekking.
To know about the famous trekking places in Sikkim that you can cover in a day with your family, stay hooked to the article till the end!
Trekking in Sikkim
The central glamour of the state, Mount Khangchendzonga, which is 8586 M long, is the jewel that attracts tourists worldwide.
Although trekking to the mountain is forbidden, trekkers walk for many days to witness the mountain from a close distance.
They experience the tranquility and the beauty of the mountain, which is ethereal. Nothing matches this mountain’s majestic beauty.
Exotic animals such as Musk Deer and the Red Panda are commonly found while trekking to the mountain. These animals are found very rarely elsewhere.
The mountains seem as if they are reaching heaven. The beauty of the way is equally enchanting with all those lush green surroundings and the sounds of animals.
Sikkim offers the most satisfactory trekking experience in the Himalayas. The incredible range of flora and fauna found along the way takes back the trekker in awe.
People are often perplexed about the month when they should go for a trek in Sikkim. They also have less knowledge about Sikkim’s weather. It is recommended that one should visit the state either in the period March-May which is the spring season, or from September to November, which is the autumn season.
Famous Short Treks in Sikkim
Covering all the famous treks in a single article is tough, but we have collected the list of the best hikes that you will ever tread upon, read on to know more!
1. Damthang to Tendong
Damthang is a small town in Sikkim which is situated almost at a distance of 14 kms from Namchi, the capital of South Sikkim.
The Tendong Hills are located in Namchi, a small plateau at 2600 ft. Lush green forests surround it.
The casual walk from Damthang to the Tendong Hills will fill you with happiness and a positive aura. This place has a historical significance too. This place was the residence of the Buddhist refugees. The Tendong Hills give a fantastic view of the sparsely dotted habitation.
2. Pemayangtse to Sangachoeling
This trek is filled with adventure and scenic beauty. A stretch from Pemayangtse to Sangachoeling follows a ridge that joins two monasteries.
After a trail of about an hour, you will reach Pelling, a beautiful town in Sikkim. Pelling has impressive sites known for rock climbing, meditations, and mountain biking.
If you are lucky enough, then you can even witness the Darjeeling ridge from the high steep of Sangachoeling.
3. Ravangla to Maenam Hill
Ravangla is situated at an approximate height of 7,400 ft in Southern Sikkim. This place has a soothing effect on a person’s soul due to its calming vibes.
Ravangla leads the way up to Maenam Hill. Ravangla is located on a ridge that falls between the Tendong and the Maenam peaks.
Ravangla forests are a nest for the Himalayan birds, which are majorly unique and stay restricted to the Ravangla forests only. Few wooden inns are located in Ravangla.
The journey from Ravangla to the hilltop of Maenam is quite fascinating, and the pathway is bound to keep you entertained. It would be best if you made a halt at the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary to garner the energy to climb up the creepers and reach the hermitage at the hill’s top. It’s a 4-hour climb from the Ravangla forests up to the Maenam Hills. From the hilltop, one can witness the Khangchendzonga range sometimes.
4. Gurudongmar Lake
Gurudongmar Lake is situated at the height of 5243 meters in North Sikkim. This lake is known to be the second-highest lake in India. However, it is freezing at such a height. Moreover, your ears may get blocked.
The Gurudongmar Lake is believed to be named after the very first Sikh Guru, Baba Guru Nanak Ji.
People also believe that he broke the ice top with the tip of his stick and forecasted that the top will never freeze again and thus it would never cease to be a water body. Due to this faith which is firmly held and followed by the Sikhs, a Gurudwara was made near this lake in the late 20th Century.
Sikkim is bound to unfold a mixed bag of scenic beauty, lakes, mesmerizing forests, and beautiful hilltops. Trekkers are amazed to see the sights here.
5. Chitrey Trek
Chitrey is a small mountain village with a low density of population. Below Chitrey, there lies another town called Maneybhanjang. This town is located at the India/ Nepal Border. A local homestay with properly sanitated and furnished rooms is available here.
You can start your trek from Maneybhanjang in the early morning and climb up to 3 kms to reach Chitrey.
6. Goecha La Trek
Many people say that there is no better way to experience the beauty of the land of tranquility and peace. One should not miss the trek on the Goecha La mountain pass.
The Goecha La Trek stands at an altitude of approximately 4939 meters, and it takes you on a journey that includes some fantastic landscapes of the Himalayan range.
Fresh breezes of clean air surround the trek, it incorporates silence in the wilderness, and this trek is top-rated because of the mountains one gets to see.
One can witness the Khangchendzonga and 14 other summits such as Mount Thingchinkhang, Mount Pandim, Mount Jopuno, etc.
Although this trek looks very alluring and beautiful, it comes with many challenges too. The air of the Himalayan range is very harsh at times. This journey is deemed to be one of the toughest. However, experienced trekkers and trekkers who want to explore take on this journey to fulfill their bucket list.
The Goecha La trek is considered the pride of Sikkim and the upper ranges of the North-eastern states, including Bengal.
7. The Rhododendron Trek
The Rhododendron Trek is believed to be one of the most up-to-date treks currently. This trek is known for its scenic aesthetics. It leads to the Himalayan ranges. The pathway from the Rhododendron Trek to the Himalayas is filled with colorful flowers and the green lush of nature.
If you do not know, then Rhododendron is a beautiful flower, and you will find it all over the place if you visit the Rhododendron Trek, hence the name. The prettiest Rhododendrons are found in this region of Sikkim. For those of you who are interested in exploring nature, this trek is made for you people.
This trek looks even prettier in the spring season. Different species of Rhododendrons like Falconeri, Barbatum, Hodsgoni, etc., cover the whole pathway.
The Rhododendron trek allows you to pass from pretty meadows, lush gardens filled with different kinds of flowers, and a few villages filled with humble Sikkimese.
One can even witness the Khangchendzonga range from this trek which makes it one of the most loved treks. Different kinds of birds fly through the Rhododendron Trek during the spring season. The view of nature can be captivating for many people.
You can get to this trek by the Yuksom town. It is a quiet town that acts as a good camping base for the trekkers.
Anybody can avail a taxi or a bus from Gangtok or Sikkim, which will drop you at the base in about 4 hours.
8. Sandakphu Trek
One can get a mesmerizing view of the Khangchendzonga, Mount Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse while walking on this beautiful trek.
If we break down the word, Sandakphu, its meaning is the height of the poison plant which poses for its poisonous aconite trees.
Like the Rhododendron trek, the Sandakphu Trek is also covered with Rhododendrons (different species). These flowers are one of the main attractions of this trek which attracts the trekkers and the tourists like a magnet. The flowers are mostly found from March- to November.
This trek begins from Mane Bhanjang, and there onwards, the tracks lead to different villages like Tonglu, Meghma, Garibas, Tumling, Kala Pokhari, etc.
In the end, it reaches Sandakphu. The entire trek can take a week or so. If you wish to cut your journey short, you can return from Meghma.
The Sandakphu Trek is located at an altitude of 3636 meters, and the mountain top is always filled with snow.
If you are trekking from Darjeeling to Sikkim, then you can make a halt at the Sandakphu Trek. On a sunny day, the highest peak can be seen on this trek.
The Sandakphu Trek is best visited in the months of April-May. This is the time when a variety of flowers bloom in this region.
The months of October-December display the scenic beauty of this place. You can get a taxi or a bus from Bagdora to reach the Sandakphu Trek.
9. The Khangchendzonga Trek
One of the most revered and preferred treks of Sikkim is the Khangchendzonga Base Camp Trek. It is full of effort but is worth the hard work.
It covers the Khangchendzonga biosphere reserve; it displays the best flora and allows us to view different kinds of birds.
The base of the Khangchendzonga Trek is itself deemed to be the most beautiful camp. It takes an individual to some of the overwhelming tracks of the Himalayas.
If a person is new to trekking, then they should not take up this trek as it requires a lot of courage and hard work to climb this trek. It can be challenging for newbies.
One might have to climb some very steep sides of the Himalayas, which is extremely tough. However, the trek has a lot to offer, including Mt. Khangchendzonga.
The best time to climb this trek is in the months of March-May. But, if you like to witness and play with snow, then September- November it is.
Reaching the Khangchendzonga Base Camp is not a difficult task. You can take a bus from Gangtok or Sikkim, which will drop you at the base in approximately 4 hours.
10. The Kasturi Orar Trek
Kasturi is known as one of the most famous round treks passes of Sikkim. It takes you beyond glaciers like the Goecha La, Thangsing Valley, Dzongri, and many more.
For a person who loves trekking, the Kasturi Orar Trek is like a dream come true because it offers many backdrops.
Climbing this trek will offer you parts of Khangchendzonga that you might not have witnessed before, like the Khangchendzonga National Park.
This trek is full of adventure and will give you a chance to feel and to explore the Nepali Culture. This trek will take you to a height of about 4500 meters.
It is considered to be a more tough trek than the others that have been mentioned above. The trekkers get to pass through Mt. Pandim and some beautiful remote areas.
The best months to visit this fantastic trek are from March to May or from September to November. The facility of buses and taxis is available.
This transport facility will ensure that you reach the base camp safe and secure. It would take you 4 hours to reach your destination.
Final Thoughts
Trekking is a fun experience that is full of adventure, effort, and peace. One should try this at least once in their lifetime. Climbing the hills of Sikkim is a dream come true for any trekker.
Sikkim includes the nation’s pride, the highest peak: Mount Khangchendzonga. It is the third highest mountain in the world and adds to the glory of our country. We hope that this article helped you to decide the course of your trek and hope that you experience the best during your camping!
