Sikkim Travel Vlog: "Why Sikkim Blew My Mind – Mountains, Momos & Magic!"

Hey there, wander squad! Cliff here, back with another adventure dump. This time? Sikkim. Yeah, that tiny Himalayan state in India you’ve probably seen in those dreamy Instagram reels. Let me tell you—it’s even better IRL. Buckle up, because I’m about to take you through my 10-day Sikkim trip, complete with yak rides, altitude headaches, and enough momos to feed a monastery. Let’s go!

1. Gangtok: First Impressions & Chaotic Vibes

Okay, real talk: Landing in Gangtok feels like stepping into a postcard that someone shook up. The roads are winding, the air smells like pine and diesel, and prayer flags are everywhere. I half-expected a yeti to wave at me.

MG Marg – Where the Magic Happens
My first stop? MG Marg, Gangtok’s pedestrian hub. Picture this: No cars, just folks sipping chai, street vendors selling woolen hats, and the distant hum of Bollywood songs. I grabbed a bench, ordered thukpa (that’s Tibetan noodle soup, for the uninitiated), and people-watched for an hour. Pro tip: Try the cheese momos at “Taste of Tibet.” Life-changing? Maybe. Addictive? 100%.

Rumtek Monastery – Zen Mode Activated
Next day, I dragged myself to Rumtek Monastery at 7 AM. Look, I’m not a morning person, but hearing monks chant while the sun lit up those golden stupas? Worth the alarm. Fun fact: The main hall has a giant Buddha statue, and no, you can’t take pics inside. My camera stayed dead, but my brain snapped a mental photo.

Tashi Viewpoint – Sunrise Chills (Literally)
Here’s the thing about Sikkim: You’ll wake up at ungodly hours for sunrises. At Tashi Viewpoint, I stood shivering in 5°C weather, waiting for Kanchenjunga to show off. And oh boy, when those first rays hit the snow? I forgot I couldn’t feel my toes. Pro tip: Wear layers. All the layers.

2. Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass: High-Altitude Rollercoaster

Let’s talk about the day I almost turned into a popsicle. Booked a shared jeep to Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft) and Nathula Pass (14,140 ft). Spoiler: The roads are wild.

Tsomgo Lake – Blue Heaven
First stop: Tsomgo Lake. Imagine turquoise water sandwiched between snow peaks. I rented a yak wool jacket from a sweet granny for ₹100 (best investment ever) and did the most touristy thing possible—a yak ride. The yak side-eyed me the whole time, but hey, ‘Gram gold.

Nathula Pass – Borderline Crazy
Next up: Nathula Pass, the Indo-China border. The drive? Let’s just say my motion sickness pills earned their paycheck. At the top, Indian and Chinese soldiers stood meters apart, staring stoically. Surreal? Absolutely. I tried to sneak a selfie, but a soldier gave me the don’t-even-think-about-it look. Respect.

Funny story: My GoPro died in the cold. Lesson learned: Keep batteries in your socks.

3. Monasteries: Where Time Slows Down

Sikkim’s monasteries aren’t just pretty—they’re soul fuel. Here’s my top 3:

Pemayangtse Monastery – Art Goals
In West Sikkim, Pemayangtse blew my mind with its 7-story wooden model of a Buddhist heaven. Monks carved it over five years. I asked one how they stayed patient. He smiled and said, “Netflix wasn’t invented yet.” (Okay, maybe not, but the vibe was chill.)

Enchey Monastery – Dance Party, Monk-Style
Caught the Chaam Dance Festival at Enchey Monastery. Monks in demon masks, drums pounding, kids selling popcorn—it was like a spiritual carnival. A granny even shoved a cup of butter tea into my hands. Verdict: Salty, weird, kinda great.

Tashiding Monastery – Blessings on Tap
Hiked to Tashiding Monastery for the “holy water” ritual. Didn’t understand the chanting, but the monk splashed water on my head. I’m either blessed now or mildly baptized. Either way, my hair looked fabulous.

4. Offbeat Sikkim: Yumthang, Gurudongmar & Buddha’s Backyard

If you stick to Gangtok, you’re missing the real Sikkim.

Yumthang Valley – Flower Power
Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim is where Mother Nature shows off. In May, the hills are pink with rhododendrons. I rolled around like a kid, then soaked in the hot springs. Felt like a spa day, minus the cucumber water.

Gurudongmar Lake – Altitude Anxiety
At 17,800 ft, Gurudongmar Lake is no joke. The drive? Rocky, steep, and nausea-inducing. The lake? Crystal blue, surrounded by barren mountains. I got dizzy, chugged water, and napped in the jeep. Worth it? Ask me when my headache stops.

Buddha Park, Ravangla – Peace, Please
In Ravangla, the 130-ft Buddha statue stares into the mist like he’s solving cosmic riddles. I meditated here (or tried to). A monkey stole my banana, but hey, enlightenment takes time.

5. Food Chronicles: Carbs, Cheese & Chhang

Sikkim’s food is chef’s kiss. Here’s the hit list:

Momos: Ate them steamed, fried, stuffed with cheese. No regrets.
Gundruk Soup: Tastes like sour spinach. An acquired taste I’m still acquiring.
Chhang: Local barley beer. Drank it with a farmer who called me “brother.” I called him “bestie.”

6. Cliff’s Pro Tips (Because I Suffered So You Don’t Have To)

Permits: Don’t wing it. Get your ILP (Indians) or PAP (foreigners) via a Gangtok agent. Costs ₹200-₹500.
Altitude Sickness: Pop Diamox pills, drink water, and go slow. I learned the hard way.
Pack: Thermals, power bank (cold kills batteries), and wet wipes (trust me).

Final Takeaway: Why Sikkim Wins

Sikkim isn’t just peaks and prayer flags. It’s the old lady who gifted me a handmade scarf. The monk who laughed at my terrible Nepali. The soldier who shared his lunch when I was hangry. It’s raw, real, and ridiculously beautiful.

So, when are you booking your ticket? Drop your Qs below, smash that Follow button, and stay wanderful! ✌️

Some Random Shots.

Sikkim is one of the less unexplored, less popular tourist destination in India where the tourists attractions are dominated by the mainstream northern destinations like Manali, Shimla Kashmir etc. To explore such beautiful landscapes of Sikkim is always a blessing. Having Kanchenjunga one one side and Himalaya on the another, and from the Buddhist architecture to the frozen surfaces, Sikkim has never left any stones unturned.

The state of Sikkim situated in the north east region of India wherein you get to encounter the Buddhist monasteries, scenic roads, tropical forest covered with snow, alpines, etc. Sikkim though being the second smallest state in India, it’s no less like experiencing heaven on earth.

For some this destination can be called for honeymooners while for others it is the backpacking destination to explore. I was lucky to explore this scenic paradise right before the covid era began I.e. January 2020 where I didn’t have to wear mask wherever I went. Well, it was my friends who dragged me to

Well, for me who is a photography enthusiast, it was a delight seeing all the vivid colours