Namchi & Ravangla

History says that at Namchi, Pende Ongmoo, the treacherous princess who poisoned one of the Chogyals of Sikkim, was caught and killed, legend says her spirit still haunts the foothills of Ghurpisey. Namchi is a small settlement in West Sikkim District of Sikkim. A Tourism and Pilgrim cum Cultural Centre developed with an 87-feet statue of Lord Shiva and replicas of four Dhaams of the country on the Solophok hilltop in Namchi popularly known as the Char Dham. Sikkim's sole tea estate called the Temi Tea Garden is nearby and worth a visit. During February, the Namchi garden hosts it annual flower show with display of exotic and rare orchids. Ravangla / Rabangla at an elevation of 8000 feet is the base point for the trek to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. Maenam trek extends to the popular Borong village, the route begins in Namchi or Damthang, concludes at Tendong. Trek may end here or may be carried on to Tashidang. Borong with a hot spring feature is one of the highlights of the area. Visit to Maenam Gompa on the way to trek. Temi Tea Garden and Ralang monastery is a must visit and it is also a hotspot for bird watchers. Upper part of Ravangla experice snowfall in winter. With beautiful views of the Himalayas specially Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Pandim, Mount Siniolchu & Mount Kabru. Ralang Monastery of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is nearby.

Attractive due to its location Namchi literally means Sky High is situated at an altitude of 5,500 feet and is the capital of South District of Sikkim. In fact you can see replica of all the four dhams of India (char dhams) at Namchi and also the biggest statue of Guru Padmasambhava. Namchi also has a well laid out township with a Central Park (a small square) at the town center.

Namchi is located at an average elevation of 1315 meters i.e. 4314 feet.  Namchi lies off the road between Melli and Jorethang. Namchi is fast becoming a tourist destinations and is popular as many other places of interest are nearby like Rabangla / Ravangla. Chemchey, Chayataal, Kaluk, Hee Bermiok, Pelling etc. Places popular dues to religious sentiments are Namchi Monastery, Ralang Monastery and Tendong Hill. One of the largest statue at 118 feet of the Buddhist Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling hill) near Namchi. It is also said that the Samdruptse hill is actually a dormant volcano. 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 a few kilometers from the town on the way to Samdruptse. The area has views of Mt. Kanchendzonga, aka Mt. Kangchenjunga, the world's third highest peak.

The Siddhesvara Dhaam is gradually popular due to tourist visiting in hordes Lord Shiva and replicas of four Dhaams of the country, all at one place on the 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.  There are replicas of the "Dwadash Jyotirlingas" (the twelve jyothirlingas) 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. A helipad is located 05 kilometers from the town at an altitude of around 5000 feet. 

West Sikkim offers the allure and beauty of nature, vibrant green woods and the silver streams, it is a perfect gateway for the wanderlust souls. West Sikkim contributes to a vast extent for the tourist sightseeing tours be it a scenic view of the Mount Kanchenjunga from a window of a home stay or a trek through the wildflowers, orchids, or a stroll through the valley of blooming rhododendrons. Habitation to Kanchenjunga National Park, which spreads over an area of 1,784 square kilometers, was declared in 1977 in West Sikkim district. Reshi Hot Water Spring is nearly 35 kilometers from Ravangla is known for its medicinal value and a natural spa. Kanchenjunga National Park is was registered as Mixed World Heritage Site on UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is with widest altitudinal ranges of any protected area worldwide.

Some of the places of interest are Ravangla or Namchi or in Temi Tea Estate are Tumlong Monastery, Rayong Sunrise View, Kheunpheling Carpet Centre, Ralang Hot Spring, Ralong Hot Spring, Doling Gompha, Maenam Hill, Ralong Monastery, Buddha Park, Samdruptse Hills, Temi Tea Estate, Siddheswar Dhaam. 

Rabangla or Ravangla or Rawangla or Ravongla is a tourist destination and situated at an elevation of 7000 feet in South Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Ravangla offers clear view of Mount Kanchenjunga, mount Pandim, mount Siniolchu and mount Kabru are just a few of the major peaks. Ravangla is the starting point for the trek to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. Ravangla attracts lots of Bird watchers. Many Himalayan birds like verditer flycatchers, blue-fronted redstarts, grey bush chats, dark-throated thrush, blue whistling-thrush, green-backed tit, white-browed fantails, laughing thrushes, babblers, cuckoos, hill partridges and rare satyr tragopan can frequently be spotted. Winers are better than summer for bird watchers. March, April November & December is the best time for short trails and trekking. Ralang Monastery is also nearby. A Buddhist monastery of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is situated at a distance of six kilometers. An old monastery is also a few kilometers away towards Borong. There are few hamlets which have home stay for trekkers. Chidam & Damthang are two settlements nearby. 

Ralang Monastery is also nearby. A Buddhist monastery of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is situated at a distance of six kilometers. An old monastery is also a few kilometers away towards Borong. There are few hamlets which have home stay for trekkers. The landscape and its location is for nature lovers. The Pang Lhabsol festival is celebrated here each year around August-September. The festivities are for three days, culminating in the traditional dances known as ‘Chaam’ and is worth visiting. Nearly 08 kilometers is the Damthang known for the Rayong sunrise view point that offers spectacular views of the first rays of the sun falling on snow peaks. Guests can visit Ralong monastery & the Tibetan Carpet Centre. Two popular trek routes are Meanam Hill Trek route is Rabong - Meanam - Balleydunga - Ralong - Rabong & Tendong Hill Trek route is Dentam - Tendong - Samdruptse - Namchi.

Majority of the community follow Hinduism and Buddhism while the rest are Christians. Major festivals of the people are Bumchu, Saga Dawa, Dassin, Losoong, Drupka Teshi  and Phang Lhabsol. It’s cold all year round except in from mid May to October first week monsoon rules the area. Higher area near Ravangla receives snowfall in winters. Summers are mild. Dreamway Destinations organize Rabangla and Namchi Package ranging from 02 nights to 08 nights. We also arrange for tourist vehicle in Namchi & Rabangla. 

Places of Tourist Interest

•    Tathagata Tsal or Buddha Park 
•    Rayong Sunrise View Point
•    Borong
•    Reshi Hot water Spring
•    Siddheswar Dham
•    Tendong Hill
•    Tarey Bhir
•    Namchi Ropeway
•    Sai Mandir
•    Ngadak Monastery
•    Phur Tsa Chu
•    Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
•    Chemchey
•    Sribadam
•    Sirijonga Fooku
•    Wadhan (Cave)
•    Chayataal
•    Uttarey 
•    Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
•    Hee & Bermiok
•    Rinchenpong
•    Ravangla
•    Temi Tea Estate

Communication

Airways – Pakyong Airport (PYG) is 85 kilometers and is 03½ - 04 hours through scenic route via NH10.  Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is 110 kilometers and is 03½ - 04 hours drive via NH 10. Though Pakyong is the nearest Airport but due cloud and mist at high altitude flights sometime gets diverted frequently hence its safer to get the flight till Bagdogra. Bagdogra airport is well connected to major Indian cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. Two International flights also operate to this airport from destinations like Bangkok and Paro. Railways – New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) is the nearest major railway station is approximately 110 kilometers and is nearly 03½ - 04 hour’s drive via National Highway 10. It is well connected to rest of India with daily trains. Other two railway stations are Siliguri Junction (SGUJ) & Siliguri Town Railway Station (SGUT) on the way to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.  Roadways - Namchi can be reached from Siliguri by various hired vehicle in roughly 03½ - 04 hours time. It is approximately 75 kilometers away from the state capital Gangtok and 120 kilometers away from Siliguri, West Bengal. Nearest town is Jorethang & Gyaltsen and is 75 kilometers and is 03 hours drive. Gangtok, Darjeeling, Pelling, Aritar and Siliguri is well connected with Namchi with regular vehicle plying in each route.  Network of road is good and private vehicle or tourist vehicle are available but prior booking is advisable. Administration allows only 04 Guests in small taxis / cars take 07 persons in larger vehicles like Scorpio, Innova or Xylo. Tata Sumo and Bolero has the capacity of 08 passengers.

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