Situated in the Eastern Himalayas, in the vicinity of the Khanchendzonga, Sikkim is a picturesque land with lush green valleys, towering mountain peaks, cascading rivers and hills. Towering over Sikkim is the third largest mountain peak in the world, the Khanchendzonga, which soars to a height of 8586 meters. The climate of Sikkim varies dramatically. In the lower valleys one can experience the sub-tropical hot climate and as one rises to the mountain tops, one would experience a biting cold weather with areas where snowfall is common too. Prior information about Sikkim helps tourists be prepared for their tours to this state. Read on to learn more about Sikkim.

History:
Sikkim was known to be inhabited in ancient times by the Changs, Mons and the Laongs. Later, Lepchas migrated into the country and formed the predominant race. After this, they adapted themselves to their new habitat and even elected leaders among themselves to address to crucial matters in their daily lives. In the 17th century, the Tibetans migrated into Sikkim which forced the Lepchas to shift their habitat to avoid any conflict. The Lepchas chose Phuntsog Namgyal as their spiritual leader. In the year 1975, Sikim was merged among other Indian states.

Tourism in Sikkim:
Sikkim is a land with unique diversities where some rare species of flora and fauna are known to exist to the modern day. It is known to be home to 600 species of birds, 4000 species of flowering plants, 40 species of rhododendrons and over 600 species of orchids. The population of Sikkim is dominated by the Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutias. Buddhism and Hinduism are the major religions followed.

There are various tourist attractions in Sikkim such as the towering mountain peaks, various monasteries, the serene lakes, wildlife and adventure sports. Apart from these, Gangtok is a city that is highly recommended for tourist visit which is a truly beautiful city with every modern facility available for tourist convenience. Gangtok is reputed to be a land rich with a varied flora and fauna.

Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Sikkim is in the months of March to June and September to December. Among the five seasons that Sikkim experiences, it is recommended that tourists visit this majestic land in autumn or in summer when weather conditions are not too harsh.

In winters, heavy jackets, sweaters, shawls, gloves, and boots are to be worn. Shirts, light cotton and linens would suffice in the summers. A visit in the monsoon time would require umbrellas and raincoats to be used. In spring, light jackets and overcoats would be sufficient and this is the best time to visit Sikkim.

Transportation:
Situated just 124 kms from Gangtok is the Bagdogra airport which is well connected to other cities via a number of connecting flights to Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. For tourists� convenience, various buses, taxis and rented jeeps are available. Mini buses are quite convenient for traveling between cities. Helicopter services are also available for tourists who can afford it. Tourists can reach Gangtok from Bagdogra by helicopters in just 30 minutes. These added advantages have prominently added to the popularity of tourism in Sikkim.

Touristplacesinindia.com offers online information about Sikkim, its climate, transportation and other aspects of tourism in Sikkim.