Spread across 1784 sq. km, Kanchendzonga National Park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in North East India and the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim. It is one of the primary tourist attractions of Sikkim, which is situated in the northwestern part of the state. It is spread over 850sq. km. Kanchendzonga National Park covers an elevation range from 1800m to 8600 m and is one of the highest parks in the country. The park is blessed with undisturbed forest cover, while the mighty Mt. Kanchendzonga straddles the park’s western boundary.
A part of Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, it was declared a national park in 1977. In 2016, the Kanchendzonga National Park was titled a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park extends from Temperate to the Alpine zone. The park attracts visitors worldwide due to its flourishing vegetation. It comprises a temperate wild leaf jungle dominated by oaks and a diverse coniferous jungle containing fir, birch, maple, willow, and others. In addition, one can also find several plants with medicinal and aromatic properties.
Blessed with the charm of the Northeast Himalayas, there are many glaciers in the Kanchendzonga National Park area. Amongst them, the Zemu Glacier is the longest. The lofty Mt. Kanchendzonga (8,585 m) consists of the five peaks Narshing, Pandim, Simvo, Kabru, and Siniolchu. The name is also known as the national park of ‘five snow peaks’. One of the unique features of this park is that each of the altitudinal zones here possesses its unique form of vegetation.
Kanchendzonga National Park is also home to an amazing variety of avifauna. Almost 550 species have been spotted here. The most popular ones include the Blood Pheasants, Satyr Tragopan, Impeyan pheasants, Himalayan griffon, Lammergeiers, snow pigeons, and eagles. Among the fauna in the parking area is the famous Snow Leopard. The other animals which are found are Clouded Leopard, Himalayan black bear, Red panda, Blue Sheep, Musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, Tibetan wolf, Great Tibetan sheep, etc. Some Lepcha tribes also inhabit the area.
Trekking in Kanchendzonga National Park of Sikkim is a thrilling adventure. The breathtaking trails and the wildlife encounters are the perfect recipes for adventures. Visit between the months of March to May and September to Mid-December as the national park enjoys perfect weather conditions.
Here is the detailed information about Kanchendzonga National Park Sikkim
Kanchendzonga Weather
The best time to visit Kanchendzonga National Park is between March and May and September to mid-December. Kanchendzonga weather during this time remains pleasant with a temperature around 10°C. You can clearly see the blue skies and lofty peaks, indulge in trekking summers, and enjoy snowy views in the winter months.
Tip: Make sure you bring heavy woolens. Also, this place receives heavy rainfall between June and September and will hinder your sightseeing experience.
Kanchendzonga National Park Timings and Entry Fees
You can visit Kanchendzonga National Park from 6 am to 5 pm.
Entry Fees:
- INR 350 per person for the first 7 days
- INR 40 per person for additional days
There are additional charges for cameras, accommodation, local guides, etc.
During your Kanchendzonga National Park tour, you can also explore the best place for trekking in Sikkim.
How to Reach Kanchendzonga National Park Sikkim
You can reach Kanchendzonga National Park from all the major towns in Sikkim via various modes of transport. In addition, taxi services are available throughout Sikkim.
- By Flight– If you are coming to Sikkim by flight, the only airport is Bagdogra Airport near Gangtok. It is a 4-hour drive away.
- By Train– NJP or New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station that receives trains from Kolkata, New Delhi, Guwahati, and other major cities. You can take public transport from there, which will only take 4 hours to reach Gangtok.
- By Road– Kanchendzonga National Park is about 50 km away from Gangtok and can be reached via taxi services. The ride might be bumpy, but it will all be worth it once you reach here. Yuksom is located 145 km away from Gangtok and is the point from where the trek starts. Though, it depends on where in the national park you want to go. One of the most popular trekking routes is Yuksom to Dzongri and from Dzongri Base Camp, you can take the Rathong – Khangerteng route.
Apart from Kanchendzonga National Park, there are many tourist places in Gangtok that you can explore through our Gangtok tour packages, which are customizable. You can book a tour with us. Contact our travel experts for more information!
