Places to Visit in Sikkim in April

Sikkim, emanating its unique charm of a hill station with a different flavour, offers a warm escape from the daily hustle bustle of a drab and routine life. It has a calm and serene atmosphere that settles fluttered nerves and rejuvenates worn out souls. The mountains extend as far as the eye can see, the fresh breeze, the weather pleasant and cool — the beauty of each mingles with the essence of being and creates some memorable vacation memories. Sikkim has some untrodden hiking trails, some challenging treks and some thrills and adrenaline pumping avenues of adventure. The forest trails are verdurous, and the distant views of the towering snow-capped peaks are spellbinding. The state of Sikkim located with the countries such as Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet surrounding it carries beauty at its pace whichever corner you visit. Let’s find out some exciting things to do and see in the month of April in Sikkim.

Considering a trip to Sikkim? Take a look at our Sikkim Tour Packages, designed to suit your preferences.

1. When Pelling calls to view the Kanchenjunga Mountains

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is for the trekking enthusiasts. It is designed for the fit and brave hearts. The trek is quite challenging but at the end when the satisfaction of conquering the hurdles of nature comes in the form of the view of gigantic mountains with snow-capped peaks, you feel euphoric. Sipping your hot cup of coffee at the base camp gazing at these mountains standing right in front of you, is a treat to your senses. Make sure you train your body and attain a certain fitness level if you want to take part in the trekking activity. Training and increasing your stamina through a prescribed diet is also recommended. Ensure that you pack comfortable shoes and a trekking kit during the trip.

Also Read: Things to do in Sikkim & Places to visit in Sikkim

2. Miles away from civilization – Veritable Snow-land

A three-fold enjoyment! Where you crave for one and two other extraordinary joy and beauty comes as a parcel to the primary destination, your happiness knows no bounds. A trip to the majestic and frozen Zero Point is usually combined with the exquisite Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary and the majestic Yumthang Valley. The valley remains snow-covered for most part of the year and it is indeed a treat for the senses. Indulge in some adventurous activities that include skiing and snowboarding. Ecstasy will soon be followed by hunger. The feast of the eyes will then demand a feast for the tummy and not even shifting your eyes away from the majestic snow-covered massive mountain ranges, you can enjoy your steaming noodles, soup and momos. Zero Point is located at an altitude of 15000 feet, and thus has less oxygen in the air. Be sure to consult your physician if you are suffering from some heart issues before venturing to this paradise on earth.

An overnight stay at Lachung with a good night’s rest and sleep and then traveling to Zero Point first and exploring Yumthang Valley during the return journey is recommended. Zero Point, the last outpost of civilisation, fills you with thrill and the beauty of soaring snow-capped peaks adorned with chimal trees in shades of green, red and yellow with thick carpets of red moss on the roadside as you drive towards the scintillating Zero Point are bound to leave your spellbound.

Suggested Read: Best Time to visit Sikkim & How to Reach Sikkim

3. Pump some adrenalin – Bike through uncharted mountain roads

Feel the adrenaline rush by paddling with an adventurous mountain biking tour of Sikkim. The serpentine, high altitude trails, offer magnificent views. Mountain Biking is considered one of the best adventure activities in Sikkim as the roads are ideal for rugged and dramatic terrain. The hair-raising ride experience will mix with the beauty of experiencing pretty countryside, quaint villages, striking monasteries, sparkling lakes, imposing mountain ranges and verdant greenery. The winding mountain high-altitude roads make for the most thrilling biking trails to explore the hidden trails of Sikkim. On the way pass through more picturesque places such as Gangtok, Rumtek, Martam, Ravangla, Tashiding, Temi, Pemayangtse, Yuksam where every bend unfolds a surprise. These biking expeditions in Sikkim can also be customised or you can choose from a wide range of cycling tours that can be a city cycling tour, village cycling tour or the most adventurous off-roading tours. Each biking tour crosses through a unique territory in Sikkim and offers a unique experience. It might need a few expeditions to know the beauty of this charming destination of Northeast India.

4. Rafting Activity – Teesta River

White water rafting along the course of gurgling and pumping rapids of Teesta is a high-adrenaline-pumping adventure. The Teesta River has a series of rapids and offers rafting activities. Teesta River is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra river. It originates from the eastern Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim, and flows for around 315 km giving the rafting enthusiasts enough scope of ample rafting stretches to enjoy some buoyancy. Both the river banks offer natural beauty of lush green vegetation cover and beautiful mountains. Chase the swift flow of water gushing through deep ravines and white-water rapids. There are two stretches to be chosen from between 7 km and 5 km. There would be trained instructors who would be guiding you about the ways and cautionary measures. A briefing is given to the rafters by a trained professional even before starting the course. Conquer the turbulence of 4 to 5 rapids and create some cherishable memories for a lifetime.

5. Enjoy the exquisite natural beauty of Sikkim

Sikkim offers various nature trails for tourists to explore into the deep of the hills, valleys and hamlets. Wander about and take nature walks by the rivers and streams or through the flowering meadows. Some of these are Kasturi Orar Trail, Varsey Trail and Rhododendron Trail. These trails are often self-paced and under the aegis of expert guides that take you through the wilderness and offer the thrill of treading the untrodden paths. These places are mostly secluded, and lack of human cacophony adds to the charm and peace of exploration.

The whole state of Sikkim has an array of these unbeaten treks crossing the outskirts. The forests and snow-capped mountains create some routes of fabled treks. In the springtime, the slopes get brilliantly shrouded by wildflowers, rhododendrons and orchids and some trails are exclusively customised to offer the tourists the taste of this extreme beauty regime. A trek – short or long – will get your adrenaline fixed and leave you charged.

6. Helicopter Ride – Gangtok Valley

If you have liked the top view of the enchanting Gangtok from the ropeway then you will be able to imagine the thrill of watching the town laid out far below nestled among verdant dense tree cover, blue misty mountains that kiss the floating clouds flying by and the meandering roads coiled around the mountain peaks. A bird’s eye view of the entire valley will keep you mesmerized. All hill stations look enchanting from high up in the air, Sikkim will be no exception.

7. Rumtek Monastery: The Purest of Pure Beauty

Rumtek Monastery is a fresh breath of air and breezy spirituality with its calming effect and gorgeous presence. It is located approximately 23 kms from Gangtok, on the hill facing Gangtok. The monastery instils deep faith and reverence for Buddhist ways of worship and is the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, belonging to the Kargyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Even as you approach the destination, the drive will take you through the snaking roads and peaceful Sikkimese villages with extended paddy fields bordered by blue mountains. The green carpeted paddy fields remain pretty and alluring through the months of July to September and from October to November presents a sight to behold with golden paddy gently swaying under the mountain breeze. The diverse topography with the misty mountains at the background makes Rumtek an ideal destination to spend some beautiful days of vacation in Sikkim. Rumtek will lead to other local sightseeing options that include monastery visits, adventure with white water rafting and hiking and trekking trails. Add star gazing, bungee jumping and camping to the list.

8. Bungee Jumping: Thrill At Its Best

Conquer the fears of height and attain the highest thrill of taking a plunge with a bungee jump from the Singshore Bridge. This activity is a must in the last of things to do in Sikkim for all the adventure seekers. A 200 metres of free fall, of weightlessness, of being suspended and plummeting through thin air, with the fresh but cold mountain air across your face and body and then the tug and you stay there hanging in mid-air when the rush of the plunge is over present a true definition of thrill. The view around is beautiful if you are in a state to mind to admire that all the way through your jump. Singshore Bridge offers one of the most beautiful experiences in and around Pelling. To walk across this 787 feet long, which is the second longest suspension bridge in Asia, suspended at a height of 100 metres is an experience not to be missed while on a vacation trip to Sikkim.

9. The holy charm of Pemayangtse Gompa

The unmatched architectural beauty of the monasteries of Sikkim neatly couched in the comfortable folds of Himalayan ranges is famous worldwide. Pemayangtse Gompa was established by Lama Lhatsun Chempo beckoning the purest of hearts and the greatest of devotees to embrace peace and solitude in the heart of Himalayas. The monastery houses various remarkable and antique Buddhist idols, scriptures and sculptures. It also shelters a seven-tiered painted wooden structure portraying Santoplari, Lama Rinpoche’s Heavenly Palace.

10. How to Explore Sikkim in April all by yourself

• Read some literature about the place, their ways and customs. You shall be able to enjoy better hospitality and also comply with the local sentiments of the destinations.
• Read reviews of the topmost restaurants in the destinations you plan to visit and have some scrumptious meals.
• Follow and get to know the viable Public Transportation Routes.
• Research on the viewpoints and sunset and sunrise points to enjoy the beauty of the nature around.
• Hire a local guide to know about the place in detail and delve deeply into the customs, myths and traditions of the place. Record them to create beautiful travelogues after the trip.
• Take lots of photographs which will come handy if you decide to create travelogues of Vlogs.

Travel Tips for the best Sikkim Holiday trip

• Book your trip in advance to get the best deals in flight tickets and hotel rooms and save on your trip cost.
• Carry woollens even if April sounds summery. There are places where temperature is near zero or freezing in Sikkim even in summer and spring seasons. Pack thoughtfully with practical items.
• Don’t forget to keep walking shoes, hiking boots and comfortable sneakers.
• Food lovers should try the famous street food of Sikkim and its signature dishes. Try Sikkim street food like momos (a dish of veg and non-veg mouth-melting dumplings), Phagshapa (a dish of pork, radish and chilli) and Thukpa (a noodle soup in both vegetarian and non-veg options).
• Sikkim offers a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan food options and veg and vegan people do not have to worry about being able to find good food here since there are a lot of restaurants serving veg dishes all across Sikkim.
• Be prepared to suffer from network connectivity issues in most places. Especially if you are in the destinations near the Indo-China border network will be totally absent for security reasons. Carrying a map or downloading and keeping maps of different places and routes might come in handy.
• Always call the hotel and confirm your reservation prior to your journey and also call them to inform them of your arrival giving a tentative time frame to enable them to keep the rooms ready. This saves precious time and also helps a lot when you are tired after a long day’s journey and want to hit the bed instantly.
• Bring along a power bank charger for your mobile.
• Getting to know about the culture and traditions and respecting them and also having a respectful demeanour towards the friendly locals will prove to be a blessing to have a memorable holiday in Sikkim. The local people are always helpful and in times of need, they can prove to be your saviour. They take care of guests with added attention and consideration since tourism is a viable and major source of income in these difficult terrains of Sikkim.