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West Bengal government has taken up a slew of projects to develop Sagar Island at the confluence of the river Ganga and Bay of Bengal as a major tourist destination. Two virgin beaches will be developed as part of the programme.

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on October 30 inaugurate 20 cottages having all modern amenities to cater to high-end tourists at Sagar Island," Bardhan told PTI here.

Trekking & Hiking in Sikkim

Trekking & Hiking in Sikkim

The small and beautiful state of Sikkim is located in the eastern Himalayas. It is spread below the mighty Kanchenjunga (8534 m), the third highest mountain in the world, which is revered by the locals as their protective deity. There is truly no more inspiring and rewarding way to experience the feel and smell of this stunningly beautiful region than on foot. Our Sikkim treks take you through the unspoilt remote villages of the region, enabling you to experience it from close quarters. Charmingly, you also get to stay in traditional village houses which are stunningly located and have been touched up to provide very comfortable lodging without compromising on the authenticity. Trekking in Sikkim has its own charm. Trail runs through rich biodiversity and rich cultural life of Sikkimese people. There are numerous trails, which leads to high mountain areas as close to Kanchendzonga. Dzongri Trek, Goechala Trek, Singalila Trek, Yambong-Singalila Trek, Phoktey Dara Trek, Rhodendron Trek, Monastic Trek, Village Trek and Green Lake trek. Trekking trails runs through dense forest with an undulating climbs, uphill and some time requires treading on soft snow. 3500 meters above trails begins to run through Rhodendron and Juniper bushes with ample opportunity to view snow clad peaks.

Dzongri offers another trek route that elevates the trekker to 3983 meters and provides a heavenly view of the Kanchenjunga. In the North, you can go for Green Lake Trek, which falls certainly in the most beautiful district of Sikkim. n the West, you can trek the wild woods of the imposing Himalayas. Continuing the journey, dense forests of Rhododendron will come across your sight. For trekking, Yuksom is regarded as an ideal take-off point. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling consistently uses this point as a centre of climbing and trekking tours. Yoksum, Guicha La, Damthang, Tendong Hill, Maenam Hill, Namchi, Versary and Singalila are other trekking destinations to consider. For trekking trails in Sikkim there is some Rules, Regulations and Fees because Indian National do not require any permit to visit unrestricted areas in Sikkim, but they need an Inner Line Pemit, obtainable in Gangtok. Foreigners technically can visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Pamayantse and Phodong for a period of 15 days, provided they have the Indian visa, but it is advisable to get a permit from the Indian Embassy while getting the visa. These permits can also be obtained at Bagdogra airport. Foreigners who intend to trek in the Dzongri area of West Sikkim or the North Sikkim, can get the permit at the permit office in Gangtok, located next to the tourist office. The trek from Pamayangtse to Dzongri, situated almost at the base of Kangchenzonga peak, is the most popular trail in Sikkim. Though Indian nationals can go after obtaining special permit, on the other two trails foreigners are not allowed to go beyond Yumthang (in north Sikkim). Sikkim the land of peace and tranquility is an ideal destination for trekking. People living in hustle and bustle of city life, people with financial or mental stress can rejuvenate themselves while trekking. The best time to go for trekking is from Mid-February to Late-May and from October to Mid-December. Between the months of June and September, trekking is not feasible as Sikkim is prone to landslides in monsoons. However, the months between December and February are not recommended due to frigid temperature.