In the far northeast of India, bordering Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan, Sikkim is the jewel in the Himalaya’s crown. The capital, Gangtok, clings precariously to mountain slopes and offers stunning views west towards Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain on Earth.
The launch site is an hour away by jeep and is built for no more than two gliders at a time, but from it you can fly the whole valley, always with Kanchenjunga on your shoulder.
Trekking possibilities abound and pilots can hook up with locals to plan hike-and-fly adventures into the high mountains. You need a permit for pretty much anywhere you go in Sikkim, so it’s wise to plan ahead. If you do, you will be rewarded.
When to go: Oct to Nov and Mar to May
Photo: Parvin Singh
This appeared in the 2016 Travel Guide as a Himalayan Getaway, one of six alternative sites to Pokhara and Bir for pilots visiting the Himalaya.
