"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things" ~ Henry Miller

In other places:
West Sikkim - Comfortable, neat, clean, with attached bathrooms but not luxurious. Excellent locations.
North Sikkim - Basic, neat, clean, with attached bathroom. Excellent locations.

In Gangtok, you would get top of the line hotels like Nork-hill and Tashi Delek. Good 3 stars like Chumbi Residency are also available. Medium budget hotels like Mt. Simvo in Tadong, away from the hustle and bustle of Gangtok are also there. In Rumtek, 24 kms from Gangtok, you could stay at Shambala Resort. At Martam village, 5 kms from Rumtek, you could stay at Martam Village Resort. At Aritar, a beautiful and quiet place in Rhenock, East Sikkim, 55 kms from Gangtok, one can stay at The Aritar Retreat.

In West Sikkim, the hotels are comfortable but not luxurious. In Yuksom, Hotel Tashigang is a good place for relaxing for a few days. Similar hotels are there in Pelling, a moderately crowded town with stupendous views of the Khangchendzonga range.

Veg as well as non-veg is easily available in the more accessible regions of Sikkim. Indian, Tibetan and Chinese cuisine, and a limited range of continental cuisine is available.

In North Sikkim, veg as well as non-veg is available but there is a very limited choice of dishes because it is a very remote place.

Sikkim offers a variety of local fare. Momos and thukpa are great to eat. In Gangtok, there are several good veg and non-veg restaurants. Fast food is also available at Cafe Tibet.

In North Sikkim at Lachung, Yumthang and Lachen, it's difficult to get decent food as the eating houses here are for local people only. In Yuksom, Hotel Tashigang is the safest bet. In Pelling, you will get good food in Hotel Sikkim Tourist Centre and Hotel Norbugang.

Ior drinking water, you are advised to use bottled mineral water, or treated water only.

Compiled by Romola Butalia