Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Phone
N/A
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 21 reviews
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Address: Sikkim, 737120, India
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, spread over an area of approximately 43 sq km, is situated at an altitude from 3234 to 3700 m. Surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Himalayas, this sanctuary is one of the prominent tourist attractions of the state of Sikkim.
One of the reasons for its popularity is the fact that it is home to more than 49 species of rhododendrons and many other varieties of poppies, primulas, aconites, potentillas, gentians and saxifrages. In terms of fauna, the sanctuary has a small population of blood pheasants, civets, tigers, wood snipe and hoary-throated barwing; however, their sightings are quite rare.
Situated in the Yumthang Valley of North Sikkim, the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is flanked by Chomzomei Tso (lake) on the west that extends up to the Lava Pass while on the east, it has the Chuba-Sagochen mountain ranges. The Yumthang Chu (river) meanders through the sanctuary and is a sight to behold. Over the years, this nature park has turned into a popular trekking destination of the state. Also, it is considered to be a fantastic place for camping.
The sanctuary experiences a longish winter season as it lies in the Himalayan terrain. Winters begin in the region from the month of November. As a result of heavy snowfall, the Yumthang Valley is closed between December and March. Severe cold is experienced in the month of January in the area.
The months of August and September are not ideal for a visit to the sanctuary or the valley due to bad road conditions, caused primarily by the rains. The ideal time to visit the sanctuary is between April and July, when the sanctuary is filled with blooming rhododendrons and a variety of flowering plants. However, those who wish to witness snow-capped mountains and clear skies should visit this place from September to December.
Since the Yumthang Valley is a protected area, it is directly under the control of the Indian Army. Hence, tourists are required to obtain protected area permits to visit the valley. These permits can be obtained from Chungthang Sub-Divisional Magistrate's Office or Gangtok Tourism Office or District Administrative Center at Mangan.
Tourists are advised to get their requisite permits through the registered tour operators of Sikkim. Permits can be obtained within a day, if all necessary documents are in place. Foreign tourists need to be in a group of two or more to be allowed to visit the Yumthang Valley or Lachung.
History of Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Gangtok
The Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary was established in 1984. One of the highlights of the sanctuary is the International Rhododendron Festival, which is organized here every year by the Sikkim Forest Department. Nature enthusiasts from across the country flock to the sanctuary during this festival to witness a rich range of flora.
Things to do in Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Gangtok
Miles of natural beauty is what tourists will witness at the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary in Sikkim. There is an abundance of green meadow, lush forest and silver and pine trees inside the sanctuary. The rich variety of flora is sure to enthrall the visitors to the sanctuary, and if they are lucky, they might get an opportunity to witness some rare endangered wild species in the area.
In addition to the sanctuary, tourists can explore many natural sites in the area including the serene Yumthang River and located close to it, the Yumthang Hot Springs, which are quite a popular attraction of the region.
Several streams and gushing waterfalls too can be seen while exploring the valley, and so can be viewed the spectacular peaks of Shundu Tsenpa and Pauhunri. About a few kilometers away lies a Shiva Temple, where tourists can reach by trekking.
Around 25 km away from the Yumthang Valley is located the Zero Point, another popular attraction of the region. The natural beauty and the quaint atmosphere of the place draw a lot of visitors each year.
Gangtok Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Timings and Entry fee
There is no entry fee to visit the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. Even though the sanctuary remains open 24 hours; the ideal time to visit it is from 8 am to 12 pm.
How to reach Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Gangtok
The Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is around 7 hours drive from Gangtok. After visiting the top tourist attractions of Gangtok, tourists can hire private taxis from top car rental companies in Gangtok as well as from Yumthang to travel till the sanctuary. The adventure seekers can choose to trek from the Yumthang Valley to the sanctuary.
However, it is advised that tourists should travel to Lachung from Gangtok and stay overnight, and the following morning, travel to the sanctuary. The Lachung village is the last halting spot before the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary; it is the only place, where proper accommodation is available close to the sanctuary.
Visiting Gangtok from different parts of the country is easy as it is well connected by airways, railways and roadways.
By Air: The Bagdogra International Airport, about 123 km away in West Bengal, is the nearest airport to Gangtok. The airport is well connected to the rest of the country and receives regular flights. Tourists can hire private taxis at the airport to reach Gangtok in 4 to 5 hours.
Alternatively, they can choose to take the daily helicopter service, which is available from the airport till Gangtok. The helicopter ride is about 20-30 minutes. This service might not be available all the time because of the varying weather conditions of the area.
By Rail: The New Jalpaiguri Railway Junction, Siliguri in West Bengal, about 118 km away, is the nearest rail junction to Gangtok. Private taxis as well as public/private transport buses can be availed from the station to travel to Gangtok. It takes approximately 4 hours to travel this distance by bus and about 2 hours by taxi.
By Road: Regular bus service to Gangtok is available from cities of Kolkata, Kalimpong, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Bagdogra. All the buses from these cities ply till the Gangtok SNT Bus Station.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Gangtok
- Photography is allowed inside the sanctuary.
- Carrying bottled water and snacks is advised.
- Wearing warm clothes, especially after 1 pm is suggested.
- Littering inside the sanctuary is prohibited.
Gangtok Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA is here to help you plan the perfect Gangtok holiday. We’ll tailor an itinerary to exactly match your interests, style and budget, whether you want to stay in a luxurious resort or explore the colonial heritage. From an activity holiday, safari or villa stay to a relaxing all-inclusive escape, trust us to craft your perfect trip to Gangtok. We’ve crafted Gangtok tour packages based on our own experiences and our customers’ feedback. So please fill the Contact Us form to talk to us and let us help you create your dream holiday in Gangtok.
