Most peaks of the imposing Singalila Range rise above 20,000 feet. Besides the awesome Kanchenjunga, they include the Kabru, Kabru Dome, Siniolchu, Pandim, Simvo, Jonsang, Kanglakhang, Pyramid, Talung and the twins of Rathong and Kokthang. Of these, the Pandim and the Siniolchu are especially beautiful.
The North-eastern border is dominated by the Paunhri peak at 22,000 feet. Other huge peaks here include Masthonangye, Yabukjakchen, Narsing and Lamaongden. And the charm of Sikkim lies in the fact that most of the peaks are visible from almost anywhere in the State.
Where peaks give some relief to the terrain, rivers, forests and valleys fill the frame of the picture.
In the North, lies the Lachen valley and the upper reaches of the thunderous fury of Sikkim's greatest river - the Teesta ( serious white water rafting here ). Right there, in this region lie the lakes of Gurudogmar and Cholamu at over 17,000 feet amidst a bitter arctic weather ! To the immediate east of Lachen, is the Lachung valley at the base of a terminal glacial moraine. The Lachen and Lachung regions together constitute North Sikkim, which has come to become an exotic region for a great motoring holiday, on offer by many tour operators. The region is believed to have earlier been completely full of glaciers. Now, there are fewer glaciers here with the notable one being the Lonak glacier, which is almost as well known as the Rathong and Zemu glaciers of the Kanchenjunga region of West Sikkim.
The mountain ranges of Sikkim are marked by high mountain passes. To the east, on the Chola Range are the Nathu La, Jelep La and Bhutan La at about 14,000 feet each, apart from the not so high Chola pass. Passes in West Sikkim are the Chiwabhanjang and Kang la ( not to be confused with the one on the famous Himachal - Zanskar trek ). The highest pass in Sikkim is the Chorten Nyimala at 19,000 feet. Other passes of North Sikkim are the Kongra la, Lungnala and Donkiala between the Lachen and Lachung valleys.
With hardly any level land, there should have been hardly any lakes in Sikkim. But there are ! There is the Changu lake at 12,500 feet in the east. The Menmecho, Kechopari and the Bidan Choin and around the same region. West Sikkim, has of course, a concentration of many lakes. Laxmipokhari, Lanapokhari, Majurpokhari, the Ram-Laxman twins, Dud Pokhari, Samiti, Gurudogmar, Cholamu and Sima Choka. I had to look at my notes and a map to recall all these ! And in the process I discovered some I have never seen, though I've known Sikkim well for nearly twenty years !
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