www.cazloyd.com Sikkim, a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Eastern Himalaya range, was an independent state ruled by the Namgyal monarchy until 1975, when a referendum was held and the population voted to join India as its twenty-second state.
Specialist tailor made tour operator cazenove+loyd has introduced a holiday walking between three villages in Sikkim, which provides the chance to stay in authentic village houses.
Sikkim borders Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal and lies in the foothills of Mount Kachenjunga - the world's third highest mountain.
The state has an unspoilt and diverse landscape of terraced hills, valleys and rivers, all under the looming presence of the dramatic Himalayan peaks.
The high altitude eco-system is rich in flora and fauna including rhododendrons and exotic orchids. Wildlife includes the Snow Partridge, the Himalayan Cuckoo, the Himalayan Brown Bear, the Tibetan Antelope and the Blue Yak.
The Sikkimese are predominantly Buddhist - there are over 190 monasteries and prayer flags flutter even in the most remote areas.
The three day walk visits some of the most beautiful hilltop monasteries with the opportunity to participate in a chanting session at Rinchenpong Monastery.
The food is grown locally and the village hosts will cook local specialities for guests such as momos (dumplings), thukpas (noodles), chhurpee (a yak milk product) and keenema (fermented lentils) washed down with Chaang, the local brew made by fermenting millet.
The best time of year to visit Sikkim is from October to May, though December and January are quite cold with a higher chance of fog obscuring the mountain views. |