Nature · Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Rhododendron ridge walk in spring
In April and early May, Maenam's upper ridge flowers with rhododendrons in reds, pinks and whites. A spring walk to the summit or partway along the ridge is one of the finest flower walks in South Sikkim, with birdsong all the way.
Photo: albert kok · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sikkim has dozens of rhododendron species, and the state tree is a rhododendron. On Maenam, they flower from around late March at lower levels to May near the top. In a good year, whole slopes of the upper ridge glow red and pink, with white and pale yellow species mixed in.
Walk up from Ravangla at a gentle pace, stopping for photos and birds, which are at their most vocal in spring. You do not need to reach the summit: the upper forest at 2,800–3,000 m often has the best flowering. A guide can show you different species and the medicinal plants that give Maenam its name.
Spring brings haze, so mountain views are less reliable than in autumn. Afternoon showers are common from May; start early and carry a rain jacket. Flowering times vary by year, so ask locally before you go.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
When do rhododendrons bloom on Maenam?
Usually from late March at lower levels to May on the upper ridge, peaking in April in most years. A cold or late spring can push flowering into May. Ask your guide or hotel a week before for the current state.
Do we have to reach the summit to see flowers?
No. Some of the best flowering is in the upper forest at around 2,800–3,000 m, below the summit. You can turn back when you have seen enough, making the walk shorter and easier.
What is Sikkim's state tree?
The rhododendron (Rhododendron niveum is often cited as the state tree). Sikkim has many species, flowering in spring across the middle and high hills. Maenam, Barsey and Shingba are among the best places to see them.
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