The fully organic state of Sikkim is a delight for tourists who love to visit this place for its gorgeous snow peaks and Buddhist culture. While Sikkim offers some of the best views of mountains, frozen lakes and scintillating rivers, travelling to Sikkim is often difficult for travelers who are from the north, west or south of the country.
If you were wondering how you could travel to Sikkim by air, and searching for the nearest airport to Sikkim, we're here to guide you!
Earlier, Sikkim was connected by air with the nearest airport at Bagdogra in Siliguri, West Bengal. You could travel from Bagdogra airport to the state capital Gangtok (122 kms) in about 4-5 hours by shared or private taxis.
But no longer you may need to travel to Bagdogra to reach Sikkim, as the state has got its own airport at Pakyong, just 27 kms from the state capital Gangtok.
Pakyong airport was inaugurated just before the pandemic hit the world, as such operations at this airport remained closed for the longest time. However, the nearest airport connecting Sikkim to the rest of India is fully functional now.
A Unique Airport:
Pakyong airport is very unique because unlike all other airports in India which are located in the plains or at the base of a valley, Pakyong is perched on the top of a hill, making the landing experience one of its kind. Read more fascinating facts about the Pakyong airport that would leave you with an awe.
Flight Connectivity:
Direct flights are available to Pakyong from the New Delhi and Kolkata airports, while you may find connecting flights from other major destinations via Kolkata or Delhi.
How to travel in Sikkim?
Uber and Ola are not available in Sikkim which makes a novice traveler clueless about how to access taxis. The local taxi operators may come in handy but they may not be as reliable as an organised service provider. To solve this issue, a service called NE Taxi is available in Sikkim.
You can download their app and schedule your journey in advance. They also offer you a choice of the vehicle and the route you want to choose.
Places of interest nearby :
Some of the gorgeous locations neighbouring the airport are:
Known for its serpentine roads, Zuluk is an unorthodox destination in East Sikkim, it's a village with a population less than few hundreds. But those few hundreds are more than welcoming and most likely the kindest people you will meet on this planet. Read more here.
Tsomgo Lake has always attracted tourists with its magical charm of flawless Lake and picturesque snow capped mountains. In Bhutia language, Tsomgo means 'source of Lakes'. If you are a photographer, you can't miss Changu Lake. Changu Lake - hypnotic glacial Lake encircled in icy mountains offering you a stunner at an altitude of 12,000ft. It has crystal clear water with the reflection of icy mountains is a year round attraction. Read more here.
Ravangla or Ravongla is a place in the southern part of Sikkim that is becoming more and more popular with tourists every day. Ravangla is a small town at an elevation of 7000 feet and 25 kilometers from Namchi, the capital of South Sikkim. It greets and fascinates tourists with its simplicity, peace, and unobstructed view of the snowy peaks that stand like guards to the north.
Ravangla is a place where calmness speaks. It's a real treat for the eyes to see the snowy peaks change from blue to pink to golden yellow. Read more here.
The state capital of Sikkim, Gangtok is not just another official state center. Known for its sustainable ways and neat streets, Gangtok is undoubtedly the cleanest capital in India, thanks to its citizens who fill you with pride with their sense of ownership of the public property.
Read more about the places that you can enjoy in Gangtok.
Close to the airport, also lies the beautiful Buddhist town of Kalimpong. It is an ideal place to spend time in the lap of nature away from the chaos of the city. Read more about Kalimpong here.
If you are planning your next vacation, the views of the Kanchenjunga await your gaze. Remember that you are just a flight away from Sikkim!
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