About the impressive Mt. Khangchendzonga

Mt. Khangchendzonga or the Kanchenjunga mountain range is an iconic landmark encircled by 3 territories: Tibet in the north, Nepal in the west and Sikkim in the east and south. It is a spectacular mountain range that ranks 3rd in terms of absolute height and first in terms of the highest massif. Mt. Khangchendzonga is the empress of all mountains when it comes to its majestic panorama from the hill station of Darjeeling that is absolutely incomparable by all standards. Adventure tourism in Mt. Khangchendzonga is a hard to miss action mainly comprising mountain climbing and trekking.
Mt. Khangchendzonga in Tibetan terms means ‘Five treasures of the great snow’. It represents god’s five repositories namely silver, gold, grain, holy books and gems. This monarch among mountains is adorned by five summits, four of which are posited at an altitude of over 27,720ft. The four enormous ridges of incredible dimensions of snow, ice and rocks sit grandly upon this massif, culminating into a peak that measures around 28,169ft high. These huge ridges are named as per their directions in regard to the colossal centerpiece they are attached to.
The first ever expedition to the mountain of Kanchenjunga was led by a British team consisting of George Band and Joe Brown in 25th May 1955. While conquering Mt. Khangchendzonga, ‘the height of the gods’, the expedition team made it a point to honor the Sikkimese belief by halting a few feet away from the actual zenith of the mountain range that is regarded as a sacred place. Since then, this has been a tradition followed by the rest of the conquerors of Mt. Khangchendzonga.
If you run your eyes from the Darjeeling hill station observatory hill over the hoary range, Kanchenjunga appears as a sparkling silver cirque right from the west to east, invincibly covered with ice and snow. The key chain that interlinks the main Himalayan range, Mt. Khangchendzonga exudes illusionary beauty with its dazzling snow-white cloaked peaks and miles of distance from the urban settings.
Mt. Khangchendzonga is accessible through the Sikkim route via Zemu Glacier and Lachen. Here you can see the north ridge and the East Ridge standing with full grandeur.
Trekking in Mt. Khangchendzonga on its western wing is a real challenge, being the lengthiest of all routes. At the foot of the Mt. Khangchendzonga lies the Kanchenjunga glacier. The western ridge takes you to the Ramthang Glacier, if you wish to traverse some extra kilometers. Finally, the south-western face of Mt. Khangchendzonga comes into view from the ‘Queen of the Hills’ Darjeeling. While on your adventure tourism to Mt. Khangchendzonga, Darjeeling offers a great access to the destination. You have to move from Talung crossing the Yalung Glacier which is probably the last route through the Sikkim state. Trekking to Mt. Khangchendzonga through this route will let you take a sneak peek into the outskirts of Nepal.

History of the mighty Nathu la Pass

Once called the ‘Silk Route’ during the ancient times, Nathu la pass serves as a prominent trade link on the Indo-Chinese border. Located just 52 kms away from Gangtok and elevated at an altitude of 14,450ft, Nathu la is the abode of a variety of Alpine flora and fauna. In 1873, Nathu la was realized as a significant route, following which it played an integral role during the 1903-1904 British Expedition to Tibet.

In 1904, The Commissioner of Tibet, Yound Husband headed for a winning expedition through Nathu La for capturing Lhasa. A number of trading posts were set up due to this event by the British Government. Later on, Sikkim was asked to join the Independent Indian border as a protectorate and since then, this pass served as a major zone between China and India.

Nathula Pass- A haven for nature lovers

Travelling to the Nathu la pass is itself a heavenly experience! The serpentine roads, the boisterous waterfalls and the mist clocked hilltops, all will accompany you during the Nathu La Tour.

Right from the Nathu la pass, you can easily get a sneak peek into the Chinese territory sprinkled with sky-lining and snow capped summits. Getting downhill to 2,000ft, the cerulean and sedate ‘Tsomgo Lake’ also named as ‘Changu’ rests in peace. The banks of this lake are an idyllic spot to spend some moments of solitude. Or else, you can also indulge in the amusing ‘Yak Safari’ on the picturesque banks of the Tsomgo Lake. Choice is entirely yours!!!

Whether you want to observe the Mother Nature in its purest form or admire the courageous border forces guarding the country, Nathu la Pass is a glorious tourist destination! The region is also famous for its wide variety of flora and fauna. The meadows are filled with exotic plants like Aconitum, Primula, Pedicularis, Meconopsis, genera Poa along with a range of medicinal herbs.

Common nomadic animals found in the region include sheep, goats and Tibetan grazers. You may also bump into some endangered animals including Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan wolf, Tibetan snow cock, snow leopard and ruddy shelduck among others. Close to the hill streams and the waterfalls, you will find the fork tails, Avifauna Blue Whistling-thrush and the redstarts.

Flora and Fauna in Darjeeling -Kalimpong

Witness heavenly beauty in Sikkim and Darjeeling-Kalimpong Either you want a relaxing spree or an adventurous escapade, tours to Sikkim, Darjeeling or Kurseong are a perfect setting for a holiday hopper like you! its full of natural beauty or you can say, it’s the land of ‘Virgin Beauty’, family vacations to Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong can bring you great moments of solitude with your loved ones, far away from the maddening urban crowd. Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kurseong- The ‘Treasure lands’ of India exude splendorous scenic beauty. Expect to get shell-shocked with the immense variety of flora and fauna found in these regions.Flora and Fauna in SikkimSikkim’s zoological and botanical opulence is magnificent. It exhibits more than 4000 breed of plants and 30% of birdlife marked in the entire sub-continent of India. 36% of Sikkim is covered by lush green forests that include Sal tress, Bamboos, Figs and Laurel. A massive area sprawling between 5000ft to 10,000ft is dominated by the temperate vegetation of Maple, Oak, Birch, Chestnut, Magnolia, Silver Fir and Alder. A worth mentioning fact about the famous orchids and its 600 species- mostly grown in Sikkim in the temperate, tropical, terrestrial and epiphytal zones. Akin to the plant kingdom, animal-life in Sikkim is truly blessed by the Mother Nature. On your wildlife safari to Sikkim, catch as many as 550 breeds of exotic birds including Eagles, Giant Lammergeier Vultures, Whistling Thursh, Pheasants, Bulbuls and Minivets can be found in Sikkim. Sikkim proudly showcases its exotic animals like the ‘Muntjac’ or Barking Deer, Yaks, Red Panda, the mythical Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Tahr, Binturong, Marmots among others. However, you might have seen a lot of birds and wildlife animals in your other visits. But have any of these places exposed you to 400 varieties of moths and butterflies? If not, then visit Sikkim and witness how these butterflies and moths add to the scenic beauty of the mountain region. 400 varieties, mark it.Flora and Fauna in Darjeeling -KalimpongDarjeeling or the “Queen of Hills” is the land of splendorous flora and fauna. It is a nature lover’s delight dotted with dense vegetation mostly comprising alder, birch, maple, cherry chestnuts and oaks. The thick forest is the abode of 4000 species of flowers, 300 varieties of ferns, birches, algae, mosses, fungi and not to forget the prized possession of Darjeeling- the orchids! In the Alpine and the hilly regions, you will find exotic vegetation of Sikkim spruces, English yews, buck-landias, magnolias, Himalayan firs among others. Darjeeling boasts a wide diversity of fauna that comprises porcupines, varied-monkeys, civets, otters and the rare pangolin among others. Get mesmerized with its 600 types of exotic birds like fairy bluebirds, orioles, finches, flycatchers, long-tailed broadbills, emerald cuckoos, and emerald doves along with different types of migratory birds. The sleepy town of Kalimpong too oozes with its captivating flora and fauna. The thickly vegetated Neora Valley is the domicile of some of the most unusual and rare breed of bird and animal life that is swarmed by hordes of tourists worldwide.

Listing the best hotels of Sikkim and Darjeeling

If Europe is proud of Switzerland, we can surely ‘puff-up with pride’ on the treasure troves of the north eastern India- Sikkim and Darjeeling!!! The scintillating tourist destination of Sikkim and Darjeeling is swarmed by visitors all through the year, so you can find all sorts of accommodation options ranging from Luxury hotels and resorts to cheap and budget hotels in Sikkim and Darjeeling.

Heritage and deluxe hotels in Sikkim and Darjeeling

Mayfair group of hotels in Darjeeling- Royal, majestic, extravagant…your stock of adjectives will surely fall short as soon as you step at the Mayfair Darjeeling hotel! Picturesquely snuggling amidst the panoramic hills, this hotel was once the much celebrated summerhouse of the Maharaja of Nazargunj. The Mayfair hotel is a magnificent hill resort that sports all the upscale facilities of a five star hotel.

Mayfair Group of Hotels in Sikkim- If you want to stay close to the Mother Nature during your trip to Sikkim, Mayfair Spa Resort at Gangtok, is your pick!  You would love to swank on their extravagant accommodation options while pampering your senses with their wide-ranging spa therapies that have even bagged an award as the best spa resort in Asia. To top it all, ‘Mahjong’, the full-fledged live onshore casino of the Mayfair group would surely won over your heart with the first of its kind features in India!     

Elgin Group of Hotels- Yet another heritage hotel posited in the mighty Himalayas that personifies amicable hospitality, the Elgin group of hotels offer tasteful interiors, flawless services, lip smacking delicacies and the latest technologies to fit into the modern bill! The Elgin group of hotels with its regal charm operates the best hotels in Sikkim and Darjeeling.

Destinations they cover:-

1) Elgin-Darjeeling – A 125 year old Royal Mansion that exudes tales of bygone eras with its exquisite interiors and warm reception. The hotel has much more to offer from the time of its initial owner, The Maharaja of Cooch Behar to Nancy Oakley during the 1950’s.

2) Elgin Silver Oaks- Kalimpong- Built by the much famous architect Frederick Desraj, it was once the abode of the popular Jute tycoon now revamped into a heritage hill resort.

3) Elgin Nor-Khill- Gangtok – Otherwise known as the ‘house of jewels’, has even treated global personalities like Richard Gere, Dalai Lama among others. Once the royal guest house of the King of Sikkim, this heritage property even houses an ‘in-house’ curio shop.

4) Elgin Mount Pandim- Pemayangtse, Pelling- This hotel was the summer retreat of the Sikkim’s royal family, but now has been turned into a heritage boutique hotel.

A new avatar of tourism in India- Health tourism

Fast paced lifestyles and hectic work schedules have completely turned our lives upside down. You are always in the midst of something serious, juggling between professional and personal lives that hardly leave anytime for yourself. Have you heard about the much hyped Indian ‘Heath Tourism’ industry? It can help you set that ‘much awaited break’ from your monotonous life and let you relax to the fullest.

Taking tourism to a new level…

Cut out this exhaustion and plan for a health vacation across India. You will get a plethora of options in this country, right from the undulating North India to the culturally enriched south India. Health tourism is a pretty new concept in India but is increasingly becoming an integral part of the tourism industry.

Since, India has always been the hub of health and rejuvenation, people across the world flock to this wonderful country to treat themselves from all sorts of ailments. Whether it is through yoga, ayurvedic therapy, or alternative medication, naturopathy, or the modernized medical treatments, India has it all when it comes to healing ailments sans side effects.

Treasure troves of the Indian health tourism industry

Among the major health tourism destinations of India, Kerala promotes itself in the ‘Ayurvedic way’! Kerala is swarmed by patients across the world all through the year. Visit this wonderful southern Indian state, savoring its immense natural beauty while indulging into the goodness of Ayurveda! Further Kerala also boasts innumerable options of meditation, yoga and rejuvenation.

Far away from the urban hustle and bustle, this Indian state is the best yoga and rejuvenation retreat! A large number of yoga centers are posited in and around Kerala that help tourists across the world to practice asana, meditation and yogic science. Indulge into yogic practices and get rid of all health disorders. Regular practices will help you detoxify your body from within while leading a healthy life.

North India is also popular for its holistic treatments based on natural methods which are not only beneficial for healing your body but will also help you to lead a healthy lifestyle. Topping the list is the peaceful Rishikesh that offers the best ambience to practice yoga and meditation. Haridwar too boasts some renowned ayurvedic ashrams and clinics known for their unique herbal based ayurvedic remedies.

The seven sisters of the north east- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura along with the heavenly Sikkim offers an ecstatic surrounding that promotes good health. Sikkim, resting amidst the Himalayan range is a blissful getaway for achieving physical as well as mental wellbeing. In recent times, Assam also has emerged as a major center for ayurvedic treatments.

Experience the chills and thrills of life- adventure tours to India

Trekking, rafting, caving, skiing, hiking, gliding  cycling, biking, angling- adrenalize your senses with some of these adventure sports options that you will easily find during your trip to India!  Whoever said that India is a backward country that spends most of the time in prayers and meditations must get a reality check!

Adventure trips could reach to a ‘turbulent ride’ when you are in a country like India where the mighty Himalayan ranges offers innumerable options to taste the real essence of thrill and excitement. Not only the Indian mountain ranges are full of thrill and adventure, gushing beaches, plains and valleys in India all have the ability of offering a blood pumping experience during your trip.

Adventure tourism in India has taken a new dimension with plethora of options that is sure to give you spine chilling experiences. Now let’s take a close look at what the Indian adventure trips have to offer:-

• If trekking and caving is your kind of thing then places like Cherrapunjee, Guwahati, Shillong, Krem Mawmluh Cave may quench your excitement thirst!
• Water sports fanatics can caper through the East Indian regions like Pasighat, Bhalukpon, Oriamghat, Dibrugarh and Panging since these are the major destinations for water sports like river rafting and angling, boat sailing, surfing and water skiing.
• Experience backwater cruise, snorkeling and yachting in the serene locales of Goa and Kerala. The rapid steams of the Ganges are the perfect place for white water rafting!   Plan for an extended vacation to these tourist spots for enjoying full-on water activities.
• Get hair-raising experiences with the high energy aero sports gliding and floating through the air! Aerial sports in India offers exciting options like hand, hang and paragliding along with hot air ballooning that normally takes place near the Himalayas for perfect atmospheric and wind speed conditions.
• A haven for trekking, mountain biking and peak climbing, Sikkim offers flabbergast adventure sports options that will instantly amaze you! With its spectacular and hilly terrain, Sikkim presents exhilarating adventure activities that are suited to both experts and novices. Imagine skiing, biking or trekking like a free soul amidst the snow capped mountains of Sikkim, enjoying the thrills of life! Uttarey, Dhanphey Bhir, Boktak, Phoktay Dara, Goechala, Dzongri, Yumthang, Uttarey, Barsey, Pelling, Yuksom, Gangtok, are the perfect refuge to raising your heartbeats.

Now that you have got some big-time information about the adventure destinations of India, set yourself free and experience the real chills and thrills of life. After all, what is a life that takes no risk!!!