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Contact us for all types of eco-friendly treks and tours. Currently the area covered by us are the North Eastern states including Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim. Also included are Darjeeling Hills, Dooars, Jammu-Kashmir and Andaman. We also cover the neighboring countries of Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand and Bangladesh.

Package tours are available for all these places to suit every pocket.

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Saturday 2 July 2016

Namchi & Char Dham

The small town, Namchi is the epitome of culture, diversity, religion, benevolence, and also depicts the magnificence of Sikkim. Namchi is blessed with welcoming monasteries, traditional temples, lush greenery, flora, and forests. On a tour to Namchi, tourists can unveil the best kept secrets of the Himalaya. The beauty of Namchi can't be defined in a single word or phrase.

 
Namchi is fast becoming a major tourist spot and pilgrimage centre. The Namchi Monastery, Ralang Monastery and Tendong Hill are important Buddhist pilgrimage centres.

An important station associated with Namchi is the Samdruptse Hill. Folklore says that Samdruptse Hill fulfils the wishes of every tourist. On Samdruptse Hill, a tourist can see the largest statue (120 ft) of Lord Padmasambhava in the world. According to history, the hill was once a volcano sight. Saints go up the hill and pray that volcano never erupts. Myths say that the buddhist monks have been going on top of the hill and offering prayers to the volcano to keep it calm. There is also a Rock Garden just few kilometers up from the town on the way to Samdruptse. Sikkim Best Home Stay Dong Busty Home Stay just 8km away from Namchi Bazar. The Rock Garden displays a wide variety of Flora and is a local recreation and picnic spot. It offers a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchendzonga (aka Mt. Kangchenjunga, the world's third highest peak).

Statue of Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim. The statue in Namchi is the tallest statue of the saint in the world at 36 metres (120 ft).
Recently inaugurated (November 2011) Siddhesvara Dhaam is a unique pilgrimage tourism venture of the Sikkim Government developed as “Pilgrim cum Cultural Centre” having a 87 ft statue of Lord Shiva and replicas of four Dhaams of the country at one place at Solophok hilltop in Namchi. Char Dham, the four most revered Dhams of the Hindus have been replicated in this fantastic complex to benefit the devotees and tourists. The dream project of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling which was conceived by him and started in the year 2005 stands promisingly amidst the breadth taking surrounding of Solophok hill, befitting the mythological setting behind the establishment of the original Dhams. For the consecration of the Dham Shri Jagadguru Sankaryacharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati in the presence of the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling and his wife Smt Tika Maya Chamling did the “Pran Prastisha” of the Dham. There are replicas of the “Dwadash Jyotirlingas” (the twelve jyothirlinga) of Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleswar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Viswanath, Triambakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageswar, Rameshwar at Rameswaram and Grishneshwar surrounding the statue of Lord Shiva and the Char Dhams. There is a grand statue of Kirateshvar Mahadev and a temple of Shirdi Sai Baba too. One can have a view of the Mt Kanchenjunga, Statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse, Darjeeling and other such locations from here. The Dham has stay facility for the devotees at “Yatri Niwas” which can accommodate more than 90 people at a time. The Dham has won the National Tourism Awards 2010–11 under the category of “Most Innovative/Unique Tourism Project” by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

This is the statue of Lord Shiva at Siddhesvara Dhaam in Namchi, Sikkim. A helipad is located 5 km from town at an altitude of around 5000 ft. From here one can get the most panoramic view of Mt. Kanchanzonga with the surrounding mountain a part of Darjeeling Kalimgpong and the rolling plains of Bengal. The visitors can savour the view of temi tea garden the one and the only tea estate in the state which produces top quality tea in the international market.

Temi Tea Garden
Near the town, Sikkim's sole tea estate — the Temi Tea Garden is situated. The tea carries a premium the world over and costs around Rs. 800/- a kg. The tea is marked by its exotic odour and flavour.

In the month of February, the Namchi garden hosts it annual flower show. The flower show is the largest in Sikkim, with flowers in a riot of colours. The prime attraction of this show is the display of exotic and rare orchids.

One of the highlights of the town is the football stadium – the Baichung Stadium built by the Sikkimese government in honour of its most famous citizen, footballer Baichung Bhutia. "The Gold Cup" football tournament is held in Bhaichung Stadium almost every year. Football teams from all over India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan vie for the honour which draws lot of crowds from all over Sikkim. Namchi is also the base of the chief minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Historically, Namchi was the place where Pende Ongmoo, the treacherous princess who poisoned one of the Chogyals of Sikkim, was caught and killed for her deed. Legend says her spirit still haunts the foothills of Ghurpisey.

Furthermore, Namchi is the land of celebrations and carnival. Every year Namchi hosts the 'The Gold Cup' football tournament at Baichung stadium. Teams from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and all over India participate in the football tourney. In the month of February, Namchi hosts an annual flower show which exhibits rare collection of orchids. The flower show is considered as the largest in Sikkim. Additionally, in the month of October, Namchi festival is hosted by the cultural and food tourism. There's a lot more to explore in Namchi. Make your way to this subtle town and enjoy the picturesque Sikkim at its best.

How to Reach Namchi:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra airport which is 124 km from Gangtok and 190 km from Mangan. Gangtok and Bagdogra are connected through helicopter services. From Gangtok to Namchi jeep and buses services are available.
By Rail: The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri. It is well connected to most of the major cities in India.
By Road: Roads are good and the vast network of road in Sikkim is well connected with the rest of the destinations of the region. Gangtok is located at a distance of 124 km, Kalimpong is located at a distance of 49 km, and Darjeeling is located at a distance of 45 km from Namchi. Private buses, jeeps and taxis are also available from Siliguri and Bagdogra. Bookings can be made at the SNT terminus, Siliguri. Namchi is accessible from Gangtok, Yukosom and Pelling through NH 31A.

Best Time to visit Namchi: Summer (March to October)

Weather Information:
Summer (March to October): 13°C- 25°C
Winter (November to February): 2°C- 12°C

Where to stay:
Plenty of hotels from budget to luxury to suite every pocket. Alternative places of stay are various homestays where it is possible to have a taste of the lifestyle of the indigenous people. Homestays are located away from the busy market areas. For booking, contact us at GreenChannel.treks@gmail.com or phone us at +91-8145863495

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