Sikkim and Arunachal

This​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is the 2nd part of my Northeast travel diaries. 

The first part of my journey where I speak about my experiences in Meghalaya and Assam, is still waiting for you to have a look. 

What mainly I did in Sikkim was to be part of a Vipassana Meditation Retreat. It pretty much changed my perspective and was a really long time since I have had such an experience. Not at all a typical meditation retreat, this one included ten days of rigorous and very personal self-exploration and waking up to the fact of knowing what you are feeling, why you are feeling, and how to handle your emotions. All this happened without any digital reach, and we did not have our mobile phones for 10 long days. 

It might sound a bit absurd not being able to communicate or have any contact with other people that have also come to the retreat. The first 2 days I was in a struggle to adapt to the surroundings. However, from the third day onwards, it became easy, and everything was smooth flowing. My main point of going to Sikkim was to attend the Vipassana, so I also managed to travel around some parts of Sikkim. 

I will be posting a different blog entirely about my experience at the Vipassana Retreat: what it is, what I liked, and what I didn’t. 

After the retreat, I headed to West Sikkim, the place is perfect for any trekker. I came across many travelers and groups of trekkers who had only come for that purpose. One of the loveliest things about trekking Sikkim is the unending view of the stunning peaks and the charming waterfalls that come along the way. 

I also went to Pelling, a town that almost makes you think you have been transported to a lovely European place. Another place that was so much rich in heritage was Yuksom where the first king of Sikkim was crowned. Moreover, you could see the sight of the Kanchenjunga. I only visited the west of Sikkim as I was short on time. But if you are planning your trip to Sikkim, make sure to visit North Sikkim which is famous for its landscapes and scenic beauty. 

While I was in Guwahati in 2024, I planned a trip to Arunachal. Of the places I have been to, Arunachal is the most challenging to get to in terms of the road network and accessibility. Actually, my journey was the most exhausting one that I have ever done because of the bumpy roads and, at times, the absence of roads. Additionally, I was in Arunachal in December, which is the coldest period with the temperature going below 5 degrees Celsius. As we were heading to Tawang, it was so hard that we had to stop 2-3 times during the road because a lot of snow piled up that our car got completely stuck. 

Besides that, in Tawang, we got to see the Tawang Monastery, the second-largest monastery in the world. Providing that you are in Tawang, Bumla Pass is certainly a place that you should not miss. It lies 15200 feet above sea level, and the area is full of history. The well-known 1962 India-China war was the place where it happened. It is at the border of India and China. And if you are planning a trip to Arunachal, you will need an Inner Line Permit. It is always better to have your identity proof with you. 

When covered with snow, Tawang looks gorgeous. The only problem I had in Arunachal was moving from one place to another. But if you are not short of time, you can visit lots of places as the state is still quite unknown. It is the state which surprised me a lot. 

One of the most beautiful thing I noticed about the Northeast, is how disciplined the people are.

The locals are very much connected to the nature and they don’t hesitate in doing everything possible to save it. It is a very common thing in India that people cut lanes in traffic but I did not see anyone doing it there. People are sincerely trying to keep their environment clean, and traffic rules are strictly obeyed.

I really wish that more people would go to the Northeast and experience its beauty which has not been touched yet, by themselves. Instead of going to the usual tourist spots like Manali, Shimla why not give this region a try. Believe me, it will be way beyond any destination that you have previously ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌visited.