Sikkim was once a remote mountain kingdom, ruled by Chogyals (Kings) until 1975. A Himalayan wonderland, Sikkim is nestled in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and nature has gifted this state with unique beauty. The state is bestowed with a greater variety of vegetation and undisturbed valleys, five climatic zones, total sanitation, a peaceful environment, hospitable and humble people, and a rich cultural heritage that is unmatched and hard to find anywhere else. Among its mountains is the fabulous Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain in the world. Sikkim is also the least populous state in the Indian union. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is situated at a height of over five thousand feet above sea level.
