Hostels in Sikkim

Sikkim, India, is a tiny hill state with snowclad mountains, quaint little villages, natural hot springs, welcoming Buddhist culture, and vibrant temples in Northeast India where Tibetan Buddhism and Hindu culture coexist. It has been named India's cleanest state, and accordingly, plastic and polythene are banned in Sikkim. Until the mid-seventies, the tiny hill state remained an independent nation. Sikkim is also India's first organic state.

Popularly known as the "land of monasteries," Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim. Many tourists who come to this remote Indian state use Gangtok as their base to explore the region. Rumtek Monastery and Enchey Monastery are often frequented by visitors to Sikkim. In Gangtok, travelers can head to Nathu La and Tsomgo Lake, with their picture-worthy scenic beauty. Another popular activity in Gangtok is to go on a cable-car ride to get a bird's eye view of the hill station. Apart from homestays, there are now backpacker hostels in Sikkim, India (located in Gangtok) for those who travel on a budget. If you are a couple traveling together, staying in a guesthouse instead of a Sikkim, India hostel would work out more cheaply.

North Sikkim is more remote and offers an authentic experience. Lachung is a famous destination in North Sikkim, with gurgling waterfalls and the snowclad Himalayas. There are many quirky homestays now where you can relax and soak up the beauty for a few days. At an elevation of eleven thousand six hundred feet, Yumthang Valley is a must-visit attraction if you are in Sikkim. In spring, the valley is filled to the brim with various types of Rhododendrons.

Lachen is another popular hamlet in North Sikkim. It is also the base for several treks, such as Gurudongmar Lake Trek, Chopta Valley Trek, and the trek to Mt. Kanchenjunga. Pelling in West Sikkim has a number of Buddhist monasteries with impeccable architecture. Although it's relatively off grid compared to other Sikkimese attractions, Yuksom offers several trekking options. It's very unlikely to find Sikkim, India hostels in the state's northernmost regions, but there are many homestays catering to budget travelers and backpackers.

Foreign visitors are required to obtain a permit before visiting Sikkim. Some places, such as Gurudongmar Lake, are not accessible for foreign travelers; even local tourists require an inner-line permit to visit Gurudongmar Lake. To get to this Northeast Indian state, you can fly to Bagdogra in West Bengal, and hop on a taxi to Gangtok. If you prefer boarding the train, there are several trains from Delhi and Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. From there, bus and taxi services operate to Gangtok.

Handwritten by local expert for Sikkim hostels Zin