Namchi district · Theme
Flowers and forests in South Sikkim
Rhododendrons, orchids and silver fir
In South Sikkim, flowers and forests works best in Kitam Bird Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namchi Rock Garden and Tendong Hill. We have 1 package built around it. Sikkim's state tree is the rhododendron and its state flower the noble orchid. Barsey, Yumthang's Shingba sanctuary and the Goecha La trail turn red, pink and white from March to May. We plan around bloom, not calendars.
Rhododendrons flower from about 1,800 m in March up to the alpine zone in late May, so one trip can follow the bloom uphill. Orchids are best in the lower valleys and at the orchid sanctuaries around Gangtok.
Bloom moves with the weather each year. We watch reports from the sanctuaries and tell you honestly if a week looks early or late.
Places
Where to go
Kitam Bird Sanctuary
Sikkim's low, warm sal forest, best known for wild peafowl
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Red panda forest and a summit of medicine plants above Ravangla
Namchi Rock Garden
Terraced paths, ponds and Precambrian rock on the Samdruptse road
Tendong Hill
The Lepcha ark mountain, a half-day forest walk from Damthang
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Trips to start from
Indicative prices per person, twin sharing. Each one can be changed.
Value
Top2,600M
South Sikkim birding trip, 5 nights
Namchi · Ravangla
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Hours that fit the theme
Wildlife and birds
Dawn birding walk for Kitam's peafowl
An early walk on the forest tracks of Kitam with a local guide, listening for peafowl and junglefowl at first light and …
Nature
Butterflies on Kitam's forest tracks
A late-morning walk through Kitam's sal forest after the monsoon, when sunny days bring butterflies to the tracks, damp patches and flowering …
Nature
A family walk in Sikkim's low sal forest
An easy, short walk on Kitam's forest tracks for families who want to see a different Sikkim: tall sal trees, pine on …
Wildlife and birds
Bird photography at Kitam's forest edges
A patient morning for photographers along Kitam's forest edges and clearings, where soft early light and open sal canopy give better chances …
Ravangla to Maenam summit in a day
The classic full-day trek: about 4 hours up through oak, rhododendron and bamboo forest to the 3,263 m summit of Maenam, with …
Over the top: Maenam traverse to Borong
Climb from Ravangla to Maenam's summit and descend the far side to Borong village, ending at a homestay and, the next morning, …
Wildlife and birds
Looking for red panda and blood pheasant
A slow, quiet wildlife walk into Maenam's upper bamboo and fir forest with a naturalist, searching for signs of red panda and …
Nature
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 …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
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