त्योहार · SIKKIM
February (15th day of 1st Tibetan lunar month) · Yuksom
Annual festival at Dubdi Monastery, the oldest monastery in Sikkim (established 1701), located above Yuksom. Features Buddhist rituals and celebrations marking the Buddhist calendar with prayers performed by monks.
क्यों मायने रखता हैOldest monastery in Sikkim; celebrates Tibetan Buddhist traditions
February is Yuksom's secret — the first rhododendrons are budding while everyone else waits for March.
Yuksom में अभी
Traditional Sikkimese homestay run by a warm local family. Home-cooked meals, local chang (millet beer) in the evenings, and stories about Yuksom's Buddhist heritage. Simple rooms but the hospitality is five-star. They help arrange porters for Goecha La.
Clean, no-frills hotel near the historic coronation throne of the first Chogyal. Hot water works, rooms are spacious, and the restaurant serves filling Sikkimese thalis. The owner is a certified trek guide and shares invaluable Goecha La tips.
Eco-retreat nestled in a cardamom plantation with stone cottages and a stream running through the property. Run by a local Sikkimese family who cook meals from their organic garden. The perfect base before or after the Goecha La trek.
सिग्नेचरveg thali with thukpa
Trek-day breakfast crowds peak 7-8am; eat by 6.30am or after 9. The pizza is genuinely wood-fired — order it the night before you start the trek as a final non-camp meal.
सिग्नेचरPaneer thali (full plate, fresh-pressed paneer)
Order at least an hour ahead, especially the thali — Pema works alone most evenings. Wood-fired bread is best at breakfast straight from the oven.
सिग्नेचरSikkimese thali with tongba
Non-residents are welcome but call ahead for dinner — kitchen sizes order to occupancy. The tongba is the signature post-trek warm-up; ask them to top it with hot water as you sip down.
सिग्नेचरThen-thuk with handmade noodles
Lunch is the noodle window — they roll fresh dough between 11am and 2pm. Phagshapa pork sells out by 1pm on busy days.
Historic site where the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim was crowned in 1642 by three revered lamas.
Oldest monastery in Sikkim (1701). 45-minute uphill trek through forest. Peaceful and remote.
ALSO ON NAKSHIQ
Guides
Everything the guidebook won't tell you — written for India in 2026.
Blog
Long-form reads on regions, festivals, and the offbeat circuit.
Road trips
Driving itineraries with day-by-day stops, distance, and difficulty.
Collections
Wettest places. Sacred lakes. Solo-female-safe. Curated cuts.
NakshIQ 100
India's highest-scoring places, ranked across all 12 months.
The Window
One honest spread, every Sunday. The full back catalogue.
Skip list
Overhyped places with honest alternatives.
First trip
Safety, scams, what to wear, food survival, solo female travel.
