Picture this: the mighty Himalayan ranges, dazzling waterfalls, alpine forests, and colorful valleys. No, this isn’t just a dreamland you’re picturing, but the beauty of one of the smallest states in India, Sikkim. Even scrolling through the pictures of this northeastern state on the internet will prove that it’s a treasure trove of nature. And a visit to Sikkim will captivate all of your senses quite surely.
Sikkim is the perfect destination to explore, no matter the type of holiday you’re trying to plan. But it’s sure to please you even more if an adventurous holiday is on your mind. The topography and climate of Sikkim are just perfect to enjoy a boatload of adventure activities. If you’re inquisitive about the activities that could get your heart pumping, here’s a list of adventure sports in Sikkim. Read along to know of all the activities that you’ll want to add to your Sikkim itinerary right away!
Out of the many beautiful places to visit in Sikkim, River Teesta is among the most popular. It’s rightly known as the lifeline of the Sikkim region and is one of the best spots to enjoy river rafting in the state. Sitting in your raft with your lifejacket safely belted and oars in your hand, the thrill of river rafting here is sure to satiate your adrenaline rush.
The rapids in Sikkim are classified from Grades 2 to 4 and the icy cold river Teesta is also popular on an international level for its rapids and intensity. River Rangit, a tributary of the Teesta River, also offers an unparalleled river rafting experience. Not only can you enjoy the thrill of this adventure sport, but also soak in the beauty of the picturesque landscapes that pass you along the river.
Location: Triveni, near Teesta Bazaar.
Best Time To Enjoy: March to May.
Cost: Starts from INR 900/person onwards.
Are you a water baby who loves spending time alongside natural wonders? Check out these Tranquil Lakes to visit in Sikkim.
You talk about adventure sports in Sikkim and paragliding will always be a notable mention. If the idea of flying like a free bird in the sky amidst snow-clad mountains excites you, then you should definitely try out paragliding in Sikkim. Along with enjoying the thrill of flying, you also get to witness the breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas and the green surroundings.
Gangtok is the most popular spot for paragliding in Sikkim. There are trainers at the paragliding points who will fly with you if you’re new to the sport. If you’re a paragliding expert, then you can also rent and fly the paraglider on your own.
You can choose to go for Medium Fly paragliding from an altitude of around 1,300-1,400 meters or High Fly paragliding, for which the altitude of the take-off site is 2,200 meters. You can also enjoy the Annual Sikkim Paragliding festival if you choose to visit during the months of October and November!
Location: Pangthang, Bojoghari village, and Tashi View Point are some popular points for paragliding near Gangtok.
Best Time To Enjoy: March to June and September to November
Cost: Starts from INR 2,500/person onwards.
The rugged terrain of Sikkim makes it one of the best places to enjoy the adventure sport of mountain biking. Biking through the breathtaking views of the snow-clad mountains, you can savor the peaceful ambience of nature and also gain more insight into Sikkimese culture.
You get to interact with locals and enjoy the benefits of sightseeing and trekking, all while embarking on your mountain biking journey in Sikkim. If you’re passionate about biking, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this one-of-its-kind experience.
Some of the most popular trails to enjoy mountain biking in Sikkim are:
Best Time To Enjoy: March to May
Cost: You’ll be provided with a mountain bike if you choose to go through professional tour operators or you can also hire a mountain bike on rent.
Rock climbing is that one adventure sport that isn’t made for the faint-hearted. This activity demands capacity, agility, and perfect balance, and can only be attempted by those who are physically and mentally strong. With every step you climb up, the adrenaline rush kicks in when rock climbing. You can get all the gear for the activity from the operators at rock climbing spots, but you would need prior training for attempting rock climbing in Sikkim.
There are two types of rock climbing activities that you can enjoy in Sikkim. One is free climbing and the other is aid climbing. The main difference between the two is that ropes and gears are available in case of a sudden drop while free climbing, whereas in aid climbing, you’ll be given ropes and gears for a plain sailing route up. You can choose basic rock climbing or advanced rock climbing based on your level of expertise and comfort.
Location: Bulburay Dara is among the most popular spots to try rock climbing in Sikkim.
Best Time To Enjoy: March to May and September to November
Now you’ll be wondering why a cable car ride is on the list of adventure sports in Sikkim. Yes, you might not experience the same adrenaline rush as you would while paragliding or river rafting, but enjoying the ropeway cable ride is also nothing less than an experience in itself. You get to catch a bird’s eye view while savoring the panoramic views of the beautiful Sikkim.
You can enjoy this ropeway ride at Gangtok in Sikkim. The ride covers around 1 km in just seven minutes and takes you on a zig-zag ride over the town. Keep your cameras ready because you’ll surely want to snap some amazing photos for the ‘gram. The ropeway car runs on a daily basis between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, so you can enjoy the ride on any day you wish to enjoy a relaxing activity.
Location: There are 3 stations in Gangtok from where you can enjoy the cable car ride. Deorali is the lowest station, Namnang is the intermediate terminal, and Tashiling is the highest point.
Best Time To Enjoy: You can enjoy the ride all year long.
Cost: Starts from INR 50 for adults and INR 30 for children.
If you’re planning a calm and relaxed day in your itinerary, you might also want to check out these Monasteries to visit in Sikkim.
If you’re craving adventure when in Sikkim, you have to give mountaineering a shot. Though a relatively new activity, mountaineering is quickly gaining popularity among all adventure enthusiasts visiting Sikkim. It surely is a one-of-its-kind experience but do keep in mind that prior permission is required from the Indian Mountaineering Institute if you wish to try out this adventure sport in Sikkim.
You need to plan and prepare well in advance if you truly want to experience the best of mountaineering in Sikkim. Not only adventure enthusiasts but even nature lovers are in for a treat when mountaineering. You’ll encounter alpine meadows, lush fields, high-altitude lakes, wildlife, and magnificent views while embarking on this adventurous journey in Sikkim.
Some of the most thrilling mountaineering trails in Sikkim include:
Best Time To Enjoy: April to June and September to November
Also Read: Homestays In Sikkim
One of the most sought-after adventure sports in Sikkim is bungee jumping. If you have acrophobia or fear of heights that you want to get rid of, consider challenging yourself with bungee jumping. It’s totally safe and you’ll feel as if you’re diving into the open space toward the Earth.
The best place to try bungee jumping in Sikkim is at the Singshore Bridge. It’s known to be Sikkim’s highest bridge hanging at a height of about 650 feet. The bridge connects two mountains and offers a wonderful view of the lush greenery around. You can enjoy bungee jumping anytime between 6 am and 6 pm, but it’s always a good idea to check the weather before you go ahead with your plan of bungee jumping.
Location: Singshore Bridge in Uttarey Valley, around 5 km from Pelling.
Best Time To Enjoy: All year long except during heavy monsoons.
Cost: Starting from INR 500/person onwards.
Can an adventurous itinerary ever feel complete without some thrilling trekking? Adventure enthusiasts are probably rolling their eyes at this question. Sikkim offers one of the best and most varied experiences of trekking.
Every trekking trail in this northeastern state is fairly distinct from the others but all offer a memorable experience that you’ll always cherish. The untouched scenery, undulating landscapes, and the peaceful ambience truly transport you to a parallel world, away from the cacophony of city life.
Whether you’re a newbie or a pro in the trekking world, Sikkim offers a variety of trails for all levels of difficulty. Goecha La trek, Sandakphu Trek, Singalila Trek, Dzongri Trek, Green Lake Trek, Rhododendron Trek, Monastic Trek, and Lhaba Tarum Tsachu Trek are among the most popular ones to name. For experienced trekkers who wish to take on a challenge, the Kanchenjunga Trek and the Tosar Lake Trek are sure to leave you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Best Time To Enjoy: March to May and October to November
This sport is very similar to paragliding but the thrill quotient is surely a bit more in hand gliding. The experience is all about flying over mountains, colorful valleys and hamlets, while strapped to the bird-like wings.
From the soaring heights, you can truly enjoy the magnificent hilly landscape with lush green beauty. You’ll require prior training for hand gliding in Sikkim. You can ask for piloted flights if you’re a first-timer or if you’re experienced enough, then you can also enjoy a solo flight.
Location: Jorethang and Yumthang Valley
Best Time To Enjoy: May to June and September to October
Cost: Starting from INR 2,500/person onwards.
There aren’t a lot of destinations in India that offer a helicopter ride, but if you wish to experience it at least once in your lifetime, then you can surely enjoy it to the fullest in Sikkim. Expansive valleys, treacherous rivers, and towering snow-covered peaks are just a snippet of the mesmerizing views you can experience through a helicopter ride in Sikkim.
It’s a great way to discover the beauty of a place and also experience the adventure thrill while doing so. Usually, up to 5 people can enjoy a helicopter ride at once and each ride lasts for around 15 minutes on average.
Location: Gangtok Valley and Kanchenjunga are the most popular spots for enjoying a helicopter ride in Sikkim.
Best Time To Enjoy: May to June and September to October
Cost: Starting from INR 3,500/person onwards.
If you’re looking for things to do in Sikkim other than these adventure activities, you can also check them out here!
What Is The Best Time To Visit Sikkim?
If you like bright and sunny days then the months from March to May are a good time to visit Sikkim. You can pleasantly enjoy a number of adventure activities as well as go for sightseeing around the state. The months from October to December are also a good time to visit Sikkim to enjoy snow-related activities and marvel at the white scenery around.
How Many Days Are Enough For Sikkim?
Such is the beauty of Sikkim that a single trip to this destination would never seem enough. However, if you wish to explore the best of the state, a 5 to 8 days trip to Sikkim would be good enough. If you plan on having a relaxed vacation and would love to spend some time amidst nature, then you may even extend your trip for a few days.
How To Reach Sikkim?
By Air: Located 124 km away from Gangtok, the Bagdogra Airport of West Bengal is the closest airport to Sikkim. Recently, Sikkim also got its first airport, Pakyong Airport that’s located in Pakyong Village, about 35 km south of Gangtok.
By Train: Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are two railway stations located in West Bengal that are closest to Sikkim. Both these stations are around 114 km and 125 km away from Gangtok respectively.
By Road: National Highway 31A connects Gangtok to Siliguri and can be used to reach Sikkim by road.
What Is The Famous Food Of Sikkim?
One food dish that has become synonymous with Sikkim is momos. Thukpa or mixed vegetable noodle soup is another staple food of Sikkim which you have to try at least once in your lifetime. Sha Phaley (wheat dough stuffed with meat or vegetables), bamboo shoot curry, dal bhaat, sael roti, and dhindo are some of the other popular dishes of Sikkim.
What Can I Buy In Sikkim?
Sikkim can easily become any shopaholic’s paradise as it has a whole lot of unique souvenirs to offer. Amongst other things, prayer flags, woolen carpets, Thangka paintings, singing bowls, prayer wheels, Chosees (traditional folding tables), Dorjee bell and thunderbolt, and tea are some of the most famous things to buy in Sikkim. The traditional dress and jewelry of Sikkim are also something to look out for.
What Is The Language Spoken In Sikkim?
Sikkimese is primarily spoken in Sikkim.
What Is The Famous Dress Of Sikkim?
The Kho or Bakhu is the traditional attire worn by the people of Sikkim.
