Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Gangtok Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
- 55 per person
- 50 per person for stay at Log House
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Gangtok Phone
03592 201 372
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| 4/5 stars
Based on total 36 reviews
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Gangtok Address: Dikchu - Rang Rang Rd, Mangshila, Sikkim, 737107, India
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread over an area of 51 sq km approximately, lies at a distance of 14 km from Gangtok in East Sikkim. The approximate altitude of this wildlife sanctuary is between 1524 and 2749 m above sea level.
A popular tourist attraction of Sikkim, this sanctuary is home to a large species of birds and mammals including red panda, Himalayan brown bear and barking deer. Birds such as yellow-throated marten, hill partridge, rufous-headed hornbill, bar-throated manila, crimson-browed finch, satyr tragopan, maroon oriole and many more are sighted here.
Maintained by the State Forest Department of Sikkim, the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as an extension of the famous Khangchendzonga National Park. The sanctuary also consists of a few small hamlets including Mangan, Pangthang and Dikchu.
It is also rich in natural vegetation comprising dense forests of oak, kimbu, ferns and bamboo. Orchids, rhododendrons, lycopodium and mosses are the flowering plants that are found here in abundance.
The best time to explore the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is between March and July, when the weather remains pleasant and the flowering plants, especially rhododendrons are in full bloom.
History of Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in 1984, the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary holds an important place for the Sikkimese tribes. Its name Fambong Lho is derived from the Lepcha dialect; the Lepchas being one of the oldest tribes of the region. In the Lepcha dialect, the word pronounced ‘hambomloh’ means ‘wild local avocado trees’.
The tribesmen living in this region have high regards for their age-old traditions and culture, and their customs include worshiping nature and their ancestral deities.
The sanctuary has many legends and myths associated with it. One of them being the one associated with Phag Tso or Lake of Pigs inside the sanctuary. As per legends, this lake is the residence of Tsomen – the mermaid protector. Another major legend of the region is the existence of Sokpa, also called Yeti (Abominable Snowman) in the forests of Fambong Lho.
Things to do in Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Gangtok
The rich wildlife of the state of Sikkim can be certainly witnessed at the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary. Bird watching and animal spotting is the best thing to do at this place. Several towers have been built inside the area, from where visitors can witness the animals and birds.
Short-distance trekking is another exciting activity that visitors to the sanctuary can indulge in, and one of the ideal places to head to during the trekking expedition is to visit Golitar, which is a buffer area that is known to offer some fantastic views of the Khangchendzonga peak.
There are four forest trails inside the sanctuary, and visitors can choose to trek one; however, to do so, they need to hire a forest guide or trail guide.
Tourists who wish to experience the wilderness of the sanctuary closely can choose to stay at the log houses at Tumin or Golitar. However, they need to obtain permission from the authorities to visit as well as stay at the sanctuary.
Gangtok Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Timings and Entry fee
The Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is open to the public from 8 am to 3 pm on all days of the week; however, the last entry for the day is restricted till 2 pm.
The permit office remains open from 9 am to 2 pm. The entry fee for per person is Rs. 55 while the Log House cost for an overnight stay at the sanctuary is Rs. 50 per person.
How to reach Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Gangtok
The Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an approximate distance of 14 km from Gangtok. Thus, reaching here is never a hassle. Tourists can simply hire private taxis from top car rental companies in Gangtok to reach the sanctuary in around 35 minutes.
On the other hand, tourists can travel to Gangtok using air, rail and road transport service.
By Air: The Pakyong Airport in Gangtok is a seasonal airport, and it receives fewer flights. Therefore, most tourists who wish to fly to Gangtok, book their ticket till the Bagdogra International Airport in West Bengal. This busy airport, which receives regular flights from across India, lies at a distance of about 123 km from Gangtok.
Tourists after getting down at the Bagdogra airport can hire a private taxi and reach Gangtok in 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively, they can opt for the helicopter service at the airport. The helicopter ride to Gangtok from the airport takes about 20 to 30 minutes; however, this service might not be available on all days because of the frequent weather changes in the area.
By Rail: The nearest railhead to the city of Gangtok is the New Jalpaiguri Railway Junction in Siliguri, which is in West Bengal. It is well connected to the rest of the country by regular trains. Tourists who are planning to travel to Gangtok by train need to book their tickets till this railway station.
From here, they have the option of hiring a private taxi to Gangtok. Alternatively, they can board a public or private bus to travel to Gangtok. The journey by car takes about 2 hours while the bus ride is about 4 hours.
By Road: There is regular bus service from major cities such as Kolkata, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kalimpong to Gangtok. All the buses ply to the Gangtok SNT Bus Station.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary Gangtok
- Tourists need to obtain permission from the Forest Department to visit the sanctuary.
- Following the rules and guidelines of the sanctuary is mandatory.
- Wearing warm clothes and comfortable shoes is advised.
- Carrying snacks and water is suggested.
- Using the designated trails in the sanctuary is advised.
- Disposing food wrappers responsibly is expected of all tourists.
- Teasing animals or birds or harming them in any way is not allowed.
- Tourists need to avoid picking plants or collecting any forest products.
- Photography is allowed inside the sanctuary at a nominal price.
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