Indian Himalaya Global Adrenaline currently offers three treks
in India. We are expanding our offerings in the
Trekking in Northern Sikkim (Sikkim, India).
subcontinent due to the simple fact that India offers
so much to the adventure traveler. Himalaya literally means "abode
of the snows". The entire northern border of India, save for the areas
bordering Nepal and Bhutan, are composed of the grand peaks of the Himalaya.
The areas in which we offer treks, namely Sikkim and Spiti, offer the adventurer
some of the grandest scenery and most diverse cultures found anywhere in
inner Asia. In both Sikkim and Spiti, one is sure to encounter Tibetan nomads,
Bhutia farmers, Hindu sheepherders and wandering holy men of Buddhist and
Hindu faiths. These encounters inevitably yield fine photo opportunities,
as well as glimpses into an utterly exotic way of life. No matter which
trek you opt for, meetings of this sort are almost certainly assured. Likewise,
while traveling to, trekking in, and departing from our mountain destinations,
we will traverse many vegetation zones starting with the lush evergreen
forests in the plains and rising to the high wildflower-strewn alpine meadows
below the mountains. There is unquestionably something for everyone in the
Indian Himalaya.
Sikkim Sikkim is in the Eastern Himalaya, sandwiched
between Nepal to its west, Bhutan to its east, Tibet to its north and
the Indian state of West Bengal to its south. It is the second smallest
state in India, only 70 miles in length and 40 miles wide. Flat terrain
is a rarity in Sikkim. Sikkim was formerly a
View of Kangchendzonga from the Goechela (Sikkim,
India).
independent kingdom, but it was effectively annexed
by India in 1975. The royal family still live there, but they no longer
hold power.
Sikkim is famous for the third highest mountain in
the world (Kangchendzonga at 28,169 feet), a rich flora and fauna and
a diverse ethnic population. The original inhabitants, the Lepchas, call
the region: Nye-mae-el ("Paradise"). To the later Bhutias, the
region was known as the Beyul Denjong ("The Hidden Valley of Rice").
The word Sikkim is commonly attributed to the Tsong word Sukkum meaning
New or Happy House.
Sikkim is geographically a very small area. It is much
better described as a "tall" country given the fact that its
altitudinal variations start at sea level near the border with the Indian
state of West Bengal to nearly 29,000 feet at the summit of the sacred
mountain, Kangchendzonga. As with most Himalayan countries that form the
southern side of the Himalayan mountain range, one finds all of the intervening
vegetation zones in between. This makes walking in the Sikkim Himalaya
one of the richest trekking experiences possible. Our treks in Sikkim
are scheduled to coincide with the bloom of the alpine wildflowers and
the rhododendron. The riots of color these blooms yield each spring seem
impossible with the frozen heights of the Himalaya so close. Words are
insufficient to describe the beauty. One must come and experience it for
oneself.
Sikkim once covered a much larger area, but it now
begins at the foot of the mountains. It is dominated by Kangchendzonga,
whose name means "The Five Treasures of the Great Snows". According
to Sikkimese belief, the great mountain is the repository of minerals,
grains, salt, weapons and holy scriptures. It
is often referred to as "the garden of the Himalaya". On its
west
Horsemen in Northern Sikkim (Sikkim, India).
side is the massive 19 mile long Zemu glacier. Various
explorers and mountaineers have claimed to have seen yeti or their prints
in the vicinity of the mountain and its glacier. Furthermore, in common
with other regions of the Himalaya and Karakoram, the "abominable snowman"
has its place in folklore here as well.
Sikkim is a botanist's delight. The vegetation in Sikkim
has been influenced by altitude, aspect and rainfall. In the lowest elevations
is a wet sal (Shorea Robusta) forest with 660 species of orchids and 20
species of bamboo. This forest gives way to tropical evergreen mountains
and rain forests of tree ferns, epiphytes, bamboo, oak, beech, chestnut,
giant magnolia, rhododendron, firs, pines and other conifers, stretching
up to the tree line (11,520 - 13,440 feet). The alpine forests (12,480
- 16,000 feet) are characterized by such beautiful flowering plants as
primulas, gentians, blue poppies and wild strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb.
The animal and bird life is correspondingly rich, with 81 species of mammals
(wild asses and yaks in the north, and bears, lesser red pandas, silver
foxes and leopards in the tropical forests), 600 species of birds (including
pheasants, teal, partridges, cuckoos, babblers and thrushes) and 631 species
of butterflies.
Darjeeling Straddling a ridge in the Sikkim Himalaya and
surrounded by tea plantations, Darjeeling (6,829 feet) has been a popular
hill station since the British established it as an R&R center for
their
Mountains of the Eastern Himalaya (India).
troops in the mid-1800's. The industrious British,
not averse to mixing a little business with pleasure, recognized that the
quality of the soil and the area's mild climate were ideal for tea cultivation.
Accordingly, the forested hill slopes were soon denuded of their cover and
planted with this most lucrative revenue generator. These days people come
here to escape from the heat and humidity of the north Indian plain. An
indication of Darjeeling's popularity can be seen from the approximately
70 hotels recognized by the tourist office and the scores of others that
don't measure up to their requirements. In Darjeeling, you will find yourself
surrounded by mountain people from all over the eastern Himalaya who have
come here to work, to trade, or - in the case of the Tibetans - as refugees.
Mother Teresa spent her early years as a nun here with the Sisters at Loreto
Convent.
Spiti Spiti is geographically a continuation of the
western Tibetan plateau. The land is high and barren, but its starkness
is by no means bleak and unwelcoming. The beauty of the desert here is
similar to what you might find in America's Sonoran Desert, except on
a much grander scale. We will be trekking at the onset of the spectacular
high desert blooms, which only add to the splendor of the scene. Nearly
everywhere you look in Spiti, the horizon is defined by the crystal white
peaks of the western Himalaya. It is a majestic landscape beyond comparison
with any outside this region of inner Asia.
People Sikkim is inhabited by many different races of
mountain peoples. The original inhabitants are the
Sikkimese guides and blue sheep horns (Sikkim,
India).
Lepchas, a group similar to the people of eastern
Nepal. Today the majority of Sikkim's population is of Nepali and Tibetan
ancestry. Some of the Tibetans settled in Sikkim prior to the Chinese annexation
of Tibet, while others came centuries earlier. Indeed, the former king of
Sikkim was of Tibetan origin. The dominant religion in the state is split
between the Hinduism of the Nepali people and the Tibetan Lamaism of the
Tibetan and Bhutia people. This great cultural variation is one of the most
attractive aspects of travel in this remote Himalayan kingdom.
The people of Spiti are predominantly
Buddhist. They appear almost identical to their brethren across the border
in Tibet. Like most Buddhist cultures, their religion manifests itself
in everyday compassion and awareness for the preciousness of life. As
exists in Tibet, an aura of sacredness seems to permeate Spiti. The hospitality
of the people will be irresistibly apparent as we walk among them.
Travel Tips India is one of the most diverse and interesting
countries in Asia. Its population is rapidly gaining
Eastern Himalaya (Sikkim, India).
on China's and is made up of people of almost every
religious faith. Its topography varies from tropical beaches to some of
the highest and most beautiful of the Himalayan mountains. To travel in
India is to drink in one of the most intensive sensory experiences you will
ever have. Our trips in India offer the opportunity to enter some of the
country's more remote and pristine mountain landscapes. You will be accompanied
by Global Adrenaline's expert staff in all your journeys through India.
For those wishing to extend their stay after the trip to see some of India's
many "must see" sights, we have some great suggestions. For now,
we recommend that you read through our Indian trip itineraries and prepare
for the adventure travel experience of a lifetime.
Temperature/Weather May in Sikkim can bring a variety of weather conditions.
Participants should expect sunny days and cool nights. Though the monsoon
season will not yet have arrived, there is the possibility of rain. Likewise,
snow is possible at anytime of year in the Himalaya. Accordingly, the
traveler should come prepared with clothing suitable for all types of
weather.
Reading List
In order to make the most of your trip to India, the following reading
lists will help you gain a better understanding of the landscape, culture
and people. Here you can also purchase any books you might need for your
Global Adrenaline trip!
Global Adrenaline, Inc.
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Chicago, Illinois 60602
USA
Tel: +1-866-884-5622 (toll free in USA)
Tel: +1-312-863-6300 (outside USA)
Fax: +1-312-873-4440
Email: info@GlobalAdrenaline.com
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