Although the Zoo doesn’t actually lie in the Territory of Sikkim, and is actually located in Darjeeling, is however only at a short distance of approximately 50 kilometres from Sikkim and is a must visit spot if you want to gander at the various fauna that this zoo houses. Also known as the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park or the Darjeeling zoo, the park was opened in 1958, and covers an area of 67.56 acre and is located at an altitude of approximately 7,000 meters above sea level, making it the largest ‘High-altitude zoo’ in India.
Sikkim
Tsango Lake, Sikkim
Tsango or Changu Lake, is located on the north of the Nathu la pass, and is a glacial lake in Sikkim. The lake is situated at an average elevation of 3.780 meters above sea level. It falls in the restricted area and hence an inner line permit is required by Indians to visit this place. Foreign nationals are not permitted to visit this lake without special permission. The lake is about 1 km. Long, oval in shape, 15 meters deep and is considered sacred by the local people.
Nathu La Pass, Sikkim
The pass is situated at an elevation of 4,310 meters above sea level, and is an offshoot of the Old Silk Route. The flow of tourists is regulated by the government of India as the soil here is shallow and prone to landslides, nevertheless, this is a must visit site as the location is a Hiker’s haven, as it offers picturesque views of the valley. The old silk route connects the Tibetan capital of Lhasa to the plains of Bengal to the south.
Pemayangtse Monastery, Sikkim
Located around 140 kilometres west from gangtok, Sikkim, the monastery was founded in 1705 by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, and is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. The monastery was built for “pure monks” (ta-tshang) meaning “monks of pure Tibetan lineage“, celibate and without any physical abnormality. This practice is still retained. Only the monks of Pemayangtse Monastery are entitled to the title “ta-tshang”.