Singhik

An ideal offbeat destination amidst mountains is definitely Singhik in the North Sikkim district. Situated 4 km away from the district capital Mangan, Singhik’s altitude is around 5,118 ft. Singhik offers one of the best views of Kanchenjungha and Mt. Siniolchu. Located at a distance of 56 km from Gangtok and 114 km from NJP the major population of this sleepy little hamlet is Lepchas. As an adventure enthusiast, Singhik offers you two thrilling trek routes. One is the Jhandi (Sikkim) View Point trek from where the entire Eastern Himalayan range is clearly visible. The trail is through the virid forest with a serene ambience.

One of the most remote treks in the Tosha Lake trek which is still very little explored. For your accompaniment and guidance, you will find local guides to take you through this thrilling terrain. Within a 15 km distance, there are two beautiful villages that will mesmerize you Dzongu and Tingchim. Tingchim is best known for its sacred emerald lake and the century-old monastery one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim. Dzongu is a traditional Lepcha village for short treks and bird watching.

Sightseeing Attractions in and Around Singhik

In and around this mountainous hamlet, there are several attractions one can see. The below-mentioned ones are worth noting.

Labrang Monastery

It is one of the ancient monasteries in Sikkim built in the year 1841 to pay homage to LatsunChembo of Kongpu in Tibet. It is one of the finest antique structures that have truly a captivating appeal. This Buddhist monastery follows the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Labrang Monastery also has a museum that houses Buddha statues, sutras, historical books, murals, and books on medicine, music, art, etc. Another popular monastery not more than 2 km away from Labrang, you can also visit Phodong Monastery.

Singhik Viewpoint

This beautiful viewpoint is a pictorial site located at the wayside of Singhik. You can spend some quality time here while enjoying the bewitching vista of Kanchenjunga and Mt Siniolchu. The panoramic view of the entire valley and the confluence of River Teesta and Kanaka is truly a treat to the eyes.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a reputed tourist attraction near Singhik in Sikkim. Enclosed by none other than mighty Himalaya, it houses more than 40 species of rhododendron trees, numerous colourful Himalayan Birds and more. Apart from providing solace to your eyes with the beauty of the splendid Himalayan range, unique flora and fauna, you can also witness the glittering Yumthang Chu river flowing through the valley.

Sirijonga Yuma Mangheem

Sirijonga Yuma Mangheem is another sightseeing attraction near Singhik in Sikkim. Built-in the year 1983, it has a similar design to that of the Sirijonga Yuma Mangheem of Martam in West Sikkim. Located amidst the lush greenery, this beautiful building is mostly visited by travellers in the months of January when a festival called Maghey Sankranti is celebrated.

Activities to Do near Singhik in Sikkim

Singhik is one of the popular destinations among trekkers as it offers them have brief day trek through many challenging trekking routes like the Jhandi and Tosha Lake trek. You can go for a sightseeing excursion to Dzongu and Tingchim town which are around 25 km driving distance away from Singhik.

All the adjoining Buddhist religious sites can be explored. Phodong Monastery is a great one to visit located approximately 30 km driving distance away. Another one adjacent to this village is Labrang Monastery. All these Buddhist Monasteries let you witness the breathtaking ancient architecture and help you know more about Buddhism and the lifestyle of the monks living there.

The conventional Lepcha houses and the Old Singhik Monastery are also must-visit and certainly worth exploring. From here, one can travel to Gangtok. Naga Waterfall, just 15 km away from Singhik will fall on the way to Gangtok. In Gangtok, stroll around MG Marg, Tashi Viewpoint, Hanuman Temple, Ganesh Tok, Do Drul Chorten Monastery, NamgyalInstitude of Tibetology, Enchey Monastery and more.

How to Reach the Village

As this village is quite close to Mangan Town, you can rent a car from Gangtok to Mangan first. The approximate distance from Gangtok to Mangan is around 70 km. From Mangan, it is another 4 km until you reach Singhik in Sikkim. To cover this road distance, you can again rent a car or can cover this distance by walking.

Best Time to Visit Singhik in Sikkim

One does not require any specific time to visit his village. However, if we talk about the best time to visit Singhik, it will be during the months of March and May. Again, you can visit the settlement during the months of September to October in the season of winter. In the months of Monsoon (July and August), this village encounters heavy rainfall causing muddy roads and landslides. Hence, Monsoon is not the ideal time to visit Singhik in Sikkim.