Sikkim is one of the far eastern states of India and one of the best kept secrets in the Indian Himalayas. Trekking in Sikkim has its own charm providing allowing visitors to experience crossing over from sub-tropical to temperate zones, followed by alpine and high- altitude areas in a short span of time. Treks in the region for the most part skirt the lowlands around the Kangchenjunga massif or head directly to one of its basecamps as in the case of the Goecha La and Green Lake treks.

Mt. Khangchendzonga (28,169ft/8,586 m) is the third highest peak in the world and considered sacred no every climber to summit has stopped just short of the summit. More than a peak the it's a giant massif consisting of 5 peaks that dominate the skyline of Sikkim. In fact, the word Khangchendzonga in Sikkimese means "The five treasures of the high snow" which refer to the various peaks of this massive mountain.

Gangtok, the capital, is the primary hill station lying at an elevation of 1,650m / 5,410ft and with a population of just over 100,000 it is a bustling community whose economy is primarily dependant on tourism. The small village of Yuksom is a gateway and trail head for trekkers setting off on the Goecha La and Dzongri Treks. Lachung another small village in the northern part of the state provides access to the Green Lakes trek. Sikkim is famous for its tasty momos and thukpas as well as its locally brewed millet beer.

Image From Flickr: Roopesh Chander, Arindam Bhattacharya, Denis De Mesmaeker, Kshitij Rai, juicyrai, Franck Zecchin, John Town, Ben Larpent