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Most travelers to Sikkim visit places that are well-known and can be found easily on every traveler’s list. However, Sikkim has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be explored by those looking to get off the beaten path. From secluded monasteries to winding village trails, pristine lakes, and breathtaking viewpoints, Sikkim offers numerous offbeat locations for an unforgettable trip.
Read more : How to reach sikkim
Situated at an elevation of 11,800 feet in North Sikkim, the breathtaking Yumthang Valley is filled with colorful Rhododendron blossoms and hot springs against a backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Far less crowded than better-known valleys like Yumthang in Lachung, it takes about 3 hours by road from Gangtok to reach this magical valley. The best time to visit is spring when the valley erupts in fiery red and pink Rhododendrons set amongst lush green meadows.
Read more : Ravangla Tourism
The small hamlet of Zuluk near the Indo-Tibetan border offers offbeat Sikkim at its best. Perched at an altitude of 9,600 feet, Zuluk provides jaw-dropping views of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range, including Kanchenjunga. Get your adrenaline pumping with adventures like paragliding or exploring the region on foot, visiting monasteries and quaint villages along the old Silk Route. Zuluk is about 4.5 hours from Gangtok, the last stretch comprising zigzag hilly roads and hairpin bends.
Read more : How to reach ravangla & Sikkim tourism
A peaceful town situated between Pelling and Gangtok, Ravangla offers quaint cafes, luxury resorts, and fantastic trekking opportunities without the tourist crowds. Don’t miss the iconic 100-foot-tall statue of Lord Buddha on top of a hill; it is one of the main highlights here. The walk-up takes about half an hour but offers magical views of Ravangla town and the mountains beyond. Ravangla also has various short and easy village trails perfect for walking among cardamom and orchid farms dotted with traditional Limboo villages.
Read more : 15 things to do in gangtok
Visible from most places in South Sikkim, the eccentric extinct volcano of Tendong Hill lies at 8,500 feet near Ravangla and Pelling. Take the 5.5km moderately difficult forest trail lined with bamboo thickets and Rhododendron plants to reach the top. Mythology says that the Lepcha people worshipped Tendong Hill as it saved them from the Great Flood. The top offers 360-degree panoramic views from the plains of Bengal to Kanchenjunga Peak on clear days.
Read more : Gurudongmar lake
Located deep inside thick forests near Gangtok, an easy 20-minute walk on a paved trail leads to this hidden natural wonder featuring seven separate waterfalls cascading down lush hill slopes. Though it usually remains uncrowded, it is pure magic during monsoon when the water gushes down with full ferocity. For a bit of added adventure, take a bamboo raft ride over the calm pools below guided by a local. The falls are a 45-minute drive from Gangtok.
Read more : Art and craft of sikkim
Spread over 31 square km, Sikkim’s highest-altitude wildlife sanctuary near Tsomgo Lake features high-altitude mountain forests peppered with color bursts from rhododendrons, primulas, and magnolias in spring. Take the challenging 14km Jhandi Dara Eco Trail from Lachung for spectacular viewpoints over sparkling mountain lakes with glimpses of endangered red pandas and blue sheep amidst the scenic grandeur. You might be lucky enough to see a snow leopard, too.
Dominated by a gargantuan 140-foot high statue of Guru Padmasambhava visible from miles around, Samdruptse Hill offers a moderately challenging 2.5-hour hike near Namchi town, rewarded with sweeping views over the plains and mountains. This is a must-have pointer in your list of offbeat Sikkim. Visit early in the morning for glimpses of red pandas feeding on bamboo. The massive statue took four years, and Rs. Fifty crores to build, filled with rare minerals, gold dust, and precious herbs.
A historic spot marking the confluence of two major communities of Sikkim – the Bhutias from the north and Lepchas from the south in the 13th century AD. Today, Kabi Lungchok features ancient rock carvings and symbolically intertwined streams along with lush paddy fields and dense forests, giving visitors a glimpse into the melding of cultures that shaped Sikkimese history. It is a peaceful spot about 17 km from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway.
Read more : Things to do in sikkim
A shining example of offbeat Sikkim is the tucked-away Phamrong Falls near Martam village, which has only recently been opened for tourism. Take a short 15-minute downhill walk through dense forests and bamboo groves to be rewarded by a 40-foot-high deluge of water thundering down a rocky cliff into emerald pools perfect for a cooling swim on a hot day. Choose from forest treks, trout fishing, local cuisine, and cultural shows at the eco-village nearby.
Read more : Nathula pass
A relatively unknown destination near Pelling, Mangalbarey Dara is situated at 7,500 feet, offering magical sunrise views over Kanchenjunga and surrounding peaks along with the sleepy hamlets of Sikkim villages unfolding below. Wake up early and take the uphill stone footpath behind Hotel Garuda for sweeping mountain vistas all the way across to Darjeeling while sipping on steaming masala tea from a village shack. Listen to birdsong and spot colorful flowers blooming in springtime as you soak up the peaceful solitude in this one of the offbeat Sikkim locations.
Read more : Sikkim in winter & Sikkim in summer
Nestled deep inside Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary near Ravangla, undertaking the challenging 8 km uphill hike through forests filled with maple and oak trees brings you to the heavenly 150-foot high Chhange Falls. Plunging down a sheer cliff into crystal clear pools perfect for a swim, it is equally stunning during monsoons as well as winter. Only serious trekkers and adventurers reach this hidden spot, making it magnificently offbeat and unspoiled.
Said to resemble the shape of a Stupa from the top, the quaint Ranka monastery, an hour from Gangtok, features dramatic scenery on all sides. Choose from forest walks, connecting village trails, or admire the highly decorated interiors filled with centuries-old mural paintings and images of Buddhist deities carved in intricate detail into every corner and pillar. When prayers are in session, join local Sikkimese monks rhythmically chanting ancient scriptures for an enriching cultural experience.
The starting point for many treks towards Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass, sleepy Bakhim village along the famed Silk Route is enveloped in thick rhododendron blooms during spring. From here, embark on relatively tourist-free trails towards hilltop monasteries like Memencho Lake and rugged high-altitude terrain with chances to spot endangered Red Pandas feeding. Stay in a homestay to sample authentic Sikkimese dishes and learn about the region’s ancient history from friendly locals.
Kyongsa Dara near Pelling offers off-the-beaten-track charm coupled with the most magical sunrise views over Kanchenjunga and neighboring peaks like Koktang, Rathong, Kabru Dom, Frey, and Simvo, to name just a few. Leave early from Pelling by car or motorbike to reach this unmarked viewpoint by 6 am and watch golden sunlight bathe mountain crests amidst a riot of colors from rhododendrons and magnolias in bloom. Sip steaming masala chai as you soak in the fairytale scenes unfolding before your eyes in blissful solitude.
The sole tea estate in Sikkim near Namchi town remains relatively unexplored despite producing some of India’s finest teas across its wide expanses for many decades. Visitors can tour the estate to observe local women plucking tea or hike up Cherry Hill inside for the sweetest cherries during summer. Stay at the luxurious Cherry Villa overlooking neat rows of tea bushes framed by distant mountains for a peaceful experience waking up to birdsong, best explored from March to November when tea bushes sprout delicate white blossoms.
Read more : Temi tea garden
About 5 km from Ravangla lies one of Sikkim’s holiest shrines – the atmospheric Maenam Hilltop temple devoted to Lord Shiva. Undertake the moderate one-hour uphill forest walk lined with tall rhododendrons and whispering pine trees to reach this ancient sacred spot cooled by lofty mountain breezes. Soak up spiritual vibrations while admiring panoramic views over Ravangla Valley, with Kanchenjunga hovering in the distance through breaks in the clouds. Evening aartis accompanied by gongs and drumbeats resonate with mystical energy in this offbeat corner of Sikkim worth discovering.
16 km from Gangtok, high up on a hill, sits the magnificent Rumtek Monastery, one of Buddhism’s most sacred monasteries outside Tibet, housing some of the world’s most unique religious scriptures and artifacts. A resplendent example of traditional Tibetan architecture, even just sitting in its mystical aura surrounded by chanting monks, is a travel experience like no other. The complex also offers introductory courses and retreats for those keen to immerse themselves in historic Buddhist philosophies and rituals still thriving within the magical realms of offbeat Sikkim.
From lush forests filled with exotic Himalayan flowers to high-altitude trails with sweeping mountain vistas or plunging waterfalls nestled deep inside quiet valleys, Sikkim’s offbeat landscape offers boundless options. Venture away from the regular tourist haunts for unique experiences where few travelers have set foot before. Let these hidden gems of offbeat Sikkim charm you with their unmatched beauty, culture, and unexplored terrain for your next big adventure!
