If you have been planning to travel to the North-East part of India, then we have some good news for you. After six months of hiatus, operations at Sikkim airport are all set to resume! Starting March 31, SpiceJet will begin direct flights from the Pakyong Airport to Delhi and Kolkata. This will ease domestic travel for locals as well as tourists who have to take flights from Bagdogra Airport. So, as you all prepare to explore and visit this beautiful Northeastern state, we’ve listed some places that should definitely be on your itinerary for Sikkim. We’ve also included SpiceJet’s schedule here so you can plan your trip accordingly.
Things To Do In Sikkim To Make The Most Of Your Trip!
Right from its awe-inspiring landscape and monasteries to the mouth-watering food, Sikkim is a traveller’s paradise! The beautiful and calming weather of this place just adds to its charm. So, if you’re planning to visit this Northeastern state since direct flights are resuming soon on this route, we have listed some places that you must explore.
- Visit the Rumtek Monastery. It is one of the largest monasteries in the state and is a renowned centre for Kagyu teachings. There are many monasteries in Sikkim and they each have their own charm, so visit as many of them as you can to make the most of your trip.
- Head to the Buddha Park. This place is almost synonymous with Sikkim, all thanks to the 130-foot-high statue Ravangla.
- Take the Gangtok Ropeway. One of the best ways to witness Gangtok’s beauty is by taking a ropeway and experiencing the city’s aerial view.
- Pray at Hanuman Tok. This temple in Gangtok should definitely be on your itinerary for its serenity and cultural significance.
- Visit Do Drul Chorten in Gangtok. This stupa in Sikkim was built by Trulshik Rinpoche in 1945 and is a serene spot famous amongst tourists.
- Plan a day trip to NathuLa. This mountain pass in the Himalayas is one of the must-visit places in Sikkim.
- Take a yak ride at Tsomgo Lake. No trip to Sikkim is complete without visiting the Tsomgo Lake and you can elevate the experience by taking a yak ride here.
- Explore the various lakes in Sikkim. The state is famous for its serene lakes like Tso Lhamo, Gurudongmar, Tsomgo Chho, and Kathok. So, make sure to visit as many of them as you can.
- Try the Goecha La Trek. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, then this moderate trek should definitely be on your bucket list. There are several easier treks in Sikkim as well that you can check out.
- Check out hang gliding at Yumthang. Another adrenaline-pumping sport that you can explore is hang gliding at Yumthang to enjoy the valley’s aerial views.
Also Read: 6 Popular Monasteries To Bookmark For Your Next Sikkim Trip
SpiceJet To Resume Direct Flights From Pakyong Airport Soon
After six months, direct flights from Sikkim’s Pakyong Airport are all set to resume with SpiceJet. The direct flight will start for Delhi and Kolkata for now. Sikkim’s only airport was shut for operations due to some issues with the runway. Now, the Airports Authority of India has shared the good news of resuming direct flights from the airport on March 31.
High-altitude adventure awaits!
The Airports Authority of India is making sincere efforts to resume flight operations from its #PakyongAirport @aaipkyairport. pic.twitter.com/9IJJ1ikZm5
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) March 18, 2024
For now, SpiceJet will fly daily flights between Kolkata and Pakyong from March 31. For Delhi, they have decided to operate for five days a week. They will operate a 78-seater aircraft for both these routes.
For Kolkata, the SpiceJet flight will flag off at 8:05 AM and land in Sikkim at 9:35 AM. This flight will then depart from Pakyong at 10:30 AM and land in Kolkata at 12:10 PM. For their Delhi route, the journey will begin in New Delhi at 9:45 AM and land in Sikkim at 12:40 PM. The same flight will return to Delhi at 4:10 PM after departing from Sikkim at 1:10 PM.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and check out SpiceJets’ schedule and plan a trip to this serene state.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & Wikimedia
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