ITM Publications

Sikkim (India) ITM Publications 3rd edition

Sikkim is a self-governing mountainous principality in the Himalayas just north of Bengal State of India. Side 1 shows the entire country, with its capital of Gangtok.. Most of the country development is concentrated in the south. While theoretically, one could enter neighbouring Nepal or Tibet, both physical and political realities dictate that access to Sikkim depends on one road crossing from north of Darjeeling and a single train line that terminates just inside the border. Thus, Sikkim is a rather isolated, but lovely, travel destination, but is well-worth the effort to explore. Numerous religious complexes celebrate Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. The country also has one of the highest-elevation roads on earth, being the Nathu La, rising to 14, 450 feet above sea level. It is located on the ancient Gangtok-Lhasa trade route. While it might not be a practical access point to Tibet for political reasons, the drive from Gangtok to the peak is enervating, with an alternative downside route via Kupup providing a real travel experience back to Gangtok. Most of the temples are in the vicinity of Gangtok This is what we like to call a developing country, which really means that it leads a differing approach to happiness; definitely a travel adventure! The second side of the map is a detailed rendering of the east coast of India, from Nepal/Sikkim in the north to Visakhapatnam in the south and as far west as Varanasi/Benares. The western portion of Bangladesh is also shown, but the focus of this side is Kolkata/Calcutta and the Grand Trunk highway westward towards New Delhi, the massive Ganges River complex, and the temples of Orissa State. India ends to be a bit overwhelming as a country, so we have tried to make it a little easier to fathom by noting major Top Attractions, such as Shillong, Tawang, and Bodhgaya. Scales: Sikkim 1:135.000, Eastern India 1:1.1.400.000