Capture the perfect snapshots of Sikkim’s beauty by visiting its top 5 destinations. Although the beauty and natural galore of Sikkim knows no bounds, if you were to narrow the best five places to visit in Sikkim, they are: Yumthang Valley, Ravangla, Singhik View Point (Mangan), Gurudongmar Lake, and Zuluk.
The lush and blooming Rhododendrons trees and the sweeping views of Mt. Kanchenjunga range, there are hardly any spots in Sikkim that aren’t photograph worthy. Many of its serene and glacial lakes offer gorgeous views, too beautiful to be not captured in a camera reel. And so does the architecture and design of colourful monasteries, that are awe-inspiring. Whether you are a budding photographer, an expert, or some one who wants cool pics for the ‘gram, the below are the five best places to visit in Sikkim for photography.
Best Photography Spots in Sikkim: Lakes, Meadows, & Valleys
- Yumthang Valley – A Galore of Flowers
- Ravangla – Quaint town with Monasteries & Scenic Nature
- Singhik View Point (Mangan) – A Panoramic Visa
- Gurudongmar Lake – One of Highest Alpine Lakes
- Zuluk – Small Hamlet of Sikkim
1. Yumthang Valley – A Galore of Flowers
Yumthang valley, also known as the Valley of the Flowers, is nature’s lover’s dreamscape. Located 22 kilometres from Lachung, Yumthang valley is at an elevation of 3,564 metres (11,693 ft) above sea level. For photography, there are plenty of subjects including Yumthang river, green meadows, pastures etc. Use a good use of compton and lighting to click the perfect shots. You can also wait for golden hours (sunrise and sunset) to play with light and shadows to capture excellent snapshots.
- Best Time To Visit Yumthang Valley for Photography: Late February to June
- How to Reach Yumthang Valley: Assuming you start your journey from Gangtok, it will take about 8 to 9 hours to reach Yumthang Valley. Hiring a private cab is the ideal way to reach Gangtok as there aren’t many transportation options available. Your first stop will be Lachung where you can find accommodation, and then a two hour drive to reach Yumthang Valley.
- Distance between Gangtok and Yumthang Valley: 135 km.
2. Ravangla – Quaint town with Monasteries & Scenic Nature
Ravangla is a small and quaint town near Namchi in South Sikkim. This town is famous for Budhha Park which houses a tall statue (130-foot-high) of Lord Buddha. Visitors come here to admire the beauty of these landscaped gardens and enjoy the views. To capture long and panoramic views, use a wide-lense camera. You can go for specific subject photographs like mountain ranges, monasteries or do candid photography. But be mindful of the local culture and people. Always ask for permission before clicking photos of people and take care of nature.
- Best Time to Visit Ravangla for Photography: September to November and March to May
- How to Reach Ravangla: The road distance between Ravangla and Gangtok is 63.3 km. Use NH 510 and Singtam – Chungthang Road and you will get to Ravangla in approximately 3 hours (keeping margins for traffic)
- Distance between Ravangla and Gangtok: 63.3 km
3. Singhik/Mangan View Point (Mangan) – A Panoramic Visa
A small town near Mangan, Singhik is a town situated at an average elevation of 1,560 metres (5,118 feet) above sea level. Singhik View Point is the place from where you can get bird’s eye views of Mount Kanchenjunga range. Make optimal use of the golden hours to click amazing snapshots of sunlight hitting the snow-capped peaks. You can also take a stroll in the village, look for shrines, monasteries and click some candid photos to add to your collection.
- Best Time to Visit Singhik (Mangan) View Point for Photography: March to May (summer), September to October (winters).
- How to Reach Singhik (Mangan) View Point: Singhik (Mangan) View Point can be reached by Singtam Chungthang Road.
- Distance between Singhik (Mangan) View Point and Gangtok: 70 kilometers (approx.)
4. Gurudongmar Lake – One of the Highest Alpine Lakes
Counted among the top photography spots in Sikkim, an aspiring photographer must visit Gurudongmar Lake for clicking amazing subjects. The snow-covered mountains, clear blue skies, the clear waters of the lake, all are stunningly beautiful when captured in a camera lens. There is a legend around this lake. It is believed that a portion of the lake was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). This particular portion of lake never freezes even in the spine-chilling winters of Sikkim.
- Best Time to Visit Gurudongmar Lake for Photography: April and June or October and December
- How to Reach Gurudongmar Lake, Gurudongmar: The best way to go Gurudongmar Lake is by taking the Singtam – Chungthang Road
- Distance between Gurudongmar Lake, Gurudongmar and Gangtok: 190 kilometres (120 miles)
5. Zuluk – Small Hamlet of Sikkim
Last, but not least, visit Zuluk if you are looking for an adventurous photography spot in Sikkim. Once a transit point in the Silk Route from Tibet to India, Zuluk is now a tourist destination. The subjects of photography are the mountains themselves as well as the hairpin roads. You can also get a chance to click photos of animals (Red Panda, Deer, Wild Dog, Himalayan Bear) and bird photography (Himalayan monal, Kalij pheasant, Snow Pheasant, among others). During summers, plenty of Rhododendrons bloom in Zuluk.
- Best Time to Visit Zuluk for Photography: March to June and from September to November
- How to Reach Zuluk: You can reach Zuluk from Gangtok by taking NH 310 and NH 717B
- Distance between Zuluk and Gangtok: 93.6 km
The next time you book a trip to Sikkim, remember these five top spots which offer great views for the camera. Besides, Sikkim is already so picturesque that you would not have to struggle to find subjects for your photography!
