Changu Lake

Location: Located just 35 kms from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
Tourist Attractions Nearby: Kyonqnosia, Kyonqnosla Alpine Sanctury, Tseten Tashi cave, Nathula pass, river Lungtze Chu and a little Shiva temple are some of the other added attractions.
Best Activities: Fishing and just lazing around.

About Changu Lake
Changu Lake is literally known as the ' source of the lake' in Bhutia language. Situated around 35 kms away from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, this calm lake is located at an altitude of 12,310 ft on the Gangtok Nathu La highway.

The lake is about 1 km. Long, oval in shape, 15 meters deep and is considered sacred by the local people. It's cool, placid water smoothly merges with the scenic beauty around. This placid lake remains frozen during the winter months up to mid-May.

The lake has charming Alpine forests, which is home to some rare animals like the Red Panda, Brahminy ducks and variety of birds. Between the month of May and August one can see a variety of flowers blooming like the Rhododendrous, various species of Primulas, Blue and Yellow Poppies, Iries etc.

Yumthang Valley

Location: Located 145 kms from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
Tourist Attractions Nearby: Chungthang, the Sikkim countryside, Lachung and Kangchendonga National Park are the nearby places which people visit along with Yumthang valley.
Best Activities: Trekking.

About Yumthang Valley
Yumthang is a valley in the high reaches of Himalayas also known as the valley of flowers. The Yumthang valley is situated at an altitude of 1180 ft ( 35564 m) with a close proximity of Tibet. Yumthang is a beautiful destination, covered with Rhododendron and Primula flowers. It also offers view of a stunning array of peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa. A number of hot springs are scattered in the valley providing an unexpected opportunity to feel the warmth of the water even in freezing temperature. Rich in sulfur these springs are believed to have miraculous healing power. A tributary of the river Teesta flows past the valley and there's the town of Lachung, the nearest inhibited center.

Rumtek Monastery

Location: Located just 24 kms from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
Tourist Attractions Nearby: The Nehru Botanical Garden is another attraction that people look forward to.
Best Activities : Participate in celebrations called Tse-Chu and dances called Kagyat.

About Rumtek Monastery

The largest monastery in Sikkim sprawling over a huge area. It was originally built in 1730 by the ninth Karmapa but was destroyed by fire and was reconstructed to the present state by the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1960. It includes a school built on modern lines to impart teachings in Tibetan and various aspects of Buddhism. An aviary containing the most exotic birds also exists in the monastery complex. Some distance above the monastery is a hermitage in which monks go into complete seclusion for meditation for period's up to 3 years.

It is believed that the monastery is an absolute replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet. The center houses some of the world's most unique religious scriptures, manuscripts and religious art objects.

The Events in the Rumtek Monastery
The main offerings / dances of Rumtek also called the "Tse-Chu Chaams" are held on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar around June. The 'Kagyat' dances are held on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar.