Sikkim

Sikkim is a small Himalayan state in northeastern India, nestled between Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, dominated by the towering peak of Kangchenjunga. Its capital is Gangtok. Famed for its mountain scenery, Buddhist monasteries and pioneering organic farming, it is one of India's least populous and most pristine states.

Sikkim is intensely mountainous, rising from subtropical valleys to the third-highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, on its border. The terrain includes glaciers, alpine meadows and deep gorges. The climate ranges from subtropical to alpine.

Sikkimese culture blends Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha communities, with strong Tibetan Buddhist traditions reflected in monasteries, prayer flags and festivals. It is known for its harmony with nature and is India's first fully organic state.

A Buddhist kingdom ruled by the Namgyal dynasty for over three centuries, Sikkim became a protectorate and then, in 1975, the 22nd state of India following a referendum. It has since prioritised ecology and sustainable tourism.