Wedged in between Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east, lies a small stretch of rugged mountain land just 40 miles by 70 miles - the Indian state of Sikkim. On its northern border towers the Tibetan plateau and on its south is the Darjeeling region of the state of west Bengal. It lies approximately between 27 degrees north latitude and 88 degrees east longitude. Its small size belies its richness of culture, heritage, natural beauty, flora and fauna.

Sikkim  is entirely mountainous and almost a third of the land is covered by dense forests. The Singalila ridge runs north to south almost to the plains for about 96 km., separating Sikkim from Nepal in the east. Here are located some of the most majestic mountains in the world, Kanchenjunga (8585m), Pandim (6691m) and Siniolchu (6888m). The Chola Range on the east separated Sikkim from Tibet and Bhutan. It has many passes such as the Tangkula (4848m), Nathula (4303m) and Jelepla (4360m).

The main Himalayan range in the north which is joined by the Singalila and Chola ranges, encloses Sikkim in a gigantic horseshoe which is the catchment of the Teesta river and its tributaries Lhonak, Lachung, Tolung, Rangit, Rangpo and Rongli.

The topography and location of Sikkim manifests in a diverse range of flora, which is tropical in the low-lying areas and alpine in the high reaches of the mountains. The human population throughout history has been very low, which has helped this place to maintain a high percentage of forest cover, evident even now. `A journey to Sikkim necessarily involves awakening the senses and discovering the pristine and mystic beauty of the land. Sikkim is a dreamland that one can realize and enjoy, now that the area is open to all.