A lifetime would certainly not be enough to spend in this land under the Himalayas.

Provincial capital Gangtok, rising against a hillside, is small and pretty and thankfully does not overflow with tourists or souvenir shops/hawkers like so many other Indian hill stations. Instead you will find a few restaurants serving excellent Sikkimese and Chinese food and comfortable hotels to match all budgets.

You can head out to see one of the largest monasteries east of Lhasa, the serene Rumtek Monastery. Or to Nathu La Pass to have a peek at China. Else head to town to browse interesting bargains -- silver jewellry, lacquered wood furniture, Sikkim cheese, pan liqueur.

And few days spare will be well-spent heading into the countryside of west Sikkim to sight orchids, glorious scenery and closer and yet more awe-inspiring vistas of the third highest mountain in the world.

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