Sikkim is one of the northern states of India bordering Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and West Bengal.

It is the second smallest state in the country, and it is nestled in the Himalayas, which means it tends to be overlooked by visitors who are more familiar with the hubs of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Goa. 

Its location makes Sikkim an ideal destination for travelers with an adventurous streak, but do be warned, some of the northern areas are known to face some serious weather.

More than 25% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an important biosphere, as well as the site of some of the famous Himalayan peaks, faces, and passes.

Alongside these mountains are numerous river valleys that flow into the Rangeet and the Teesta Rivers. 

This under-visited region has plenty to offer the adventurous traveler, and even those who prefer a more casual traveling experience of taking in the sights and sampling local cuisine.

Continue reading for the top picks to experience the thrill of Sikkim’s best adventure activities.

Some of these require extensive time and travel while others are located close to the state capital.

Kangchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world.

The peak is striking, though it doesn’t stand as independently as some of the other Himalayan summits do.

The mountain has four routes to the summit - three of the routes are on the Nepalese side of the mountain and the fourth is in Sikkim. 

Climbers who want to summit Kangchenjunga must do so from Nepal because the Indian Government has banned expeditions to the summit from Sikkim.

Visitors who want a Himalayan adventure without needing to bag a summit should still visit the mountain, there are numerous tours to base camp.

From there, trekkers will see breathtaking scenery, can visit the Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and may have the chance to see one of several endangered species that live in the region.

Ziplines have become one of the most popular forms of adventure activity - probably because they give you the experience of flying over amazing scenery without any of the hard work that treks require.

Sikkim has been introducing ziplines into the landscape over the last decade.

The zipline at Barkthang Falls is the most popular - and not for the faint of heart!

There is a viewing platform where visitors can enjoy the serenity of the waterfall.

Besides the zipline, adventurous travelers can also try rappelling down the cliffs alongside the waterfall, although this is only available during certain times of the year, so plan your visit accordingly.

If mountain hiking in the Himalayas keeps your feet too firmly planted on the ground and the ziplining activities don’t make you feel quite high up enough in the clouds, paragliding may be the adventure activity for you.

The mountains and river valleys of Sikkim make it an ideal location for the sport.

There are multiple paragliding companies that operate in the state, especially in the Gangtok region.

Bulbuley Dara is the paragliding destination that is the best for experiencing the true beauty of Sikkim.

Just above the village of Reshithang, adventurous travelers have two options for paragliding into the valley.

The medium flight has a maximum height of 1,300-1,400 meters and lasts for 5-10 minutes; it covers roughly 4 km.

For even braver individuals, there’s the high flight.

This flight lasts for 15-20 minutes and takes off from a height of 2,200 meters; it covers just over 5 km of distance.

For those who aren’t afraid of heights - or who are brave enough to overcome that fear - a paragliding experience is one of the best ways to see the landscape of Sikkim.

It can also give you an appreciation of the grandeur of this mountainous landscape, which can sometimes be difficult to fully appreciate from ground level.

Thrills don’t always happen in the wild, sometimes they happen at the roulette wheel or the card table.

Playing at a casino can be an ideal way for a visitor to a country to relax and feel a little bit more at home.

There is always an element of familiarity with casinos, since the rules for the games are the same no matter where you are. 

Sikkim is one of the only provinces in India that has legalized gambling, and it is the only one that has legalized online gambling.

Sikkim has three casinos: Mayfair Gangtok Casino, Big Bull Casino, and Deltin Denzong, plus there are numerous online casinos for Indian players, allowing them to enjoy a world-class casino experience from home.

Natural hot springs have historically been culturally important around the world.

Hot springs are revered in many cultures for their healing properties, with the strongest sulfur odors typically being associated with the strongest medicinal effects. 

Sikkim is renowned for its hot springs.

Whether you appreciate the healing powers of the mineral pools or simply enjoy the warm waters, taking a dip in a hot spring is wonderfully relaxing.

However, taking a dip in the hottest hot spring can be an adventure.

Some hot springs, like those in Yellowstone National Park in the United States, are hot enough to kill and should be avoided.

The hottest hot spring in Sikkim that is safe to visit is the Borong Hot Spring on the banks of the Rangeet River near Ralang.

The hike to reach the hot springs adds to the adventure.

Sikkim has so much to offer to both tourists and locals who want to experience adventure activities.

There is something for everyone, at every skill level.

Some require a bigger investment in terms of travel and training, others are easier to get to, and some don’t require you to go anywhere at all. 

As the world becomes smaller thanks to the internet and global cultural exchanges, hopefully more people will discover how much Sikkim has to offer the adventurous traveler!