Khangchendzonga National Park
Earlier called the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, the world-famous Khangchendzonga National Park gets its name from the world’s third highest mountain peak. Spread over 1,784 sq. km. of area, the park covers more than one-fourth of the total area of Sikkim and enjoys the elevation between 6,000-28,000 ft. Apart from Mount Khangchendzonga (also called Kanchenjunga), there are numerous soaring peaks and some mesmerizing high altitude lakes and gushing rivers adorning the landscape. The park is famous for its exotic fauna which consists of snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, marbled cat, blue sheep, red panda, Himalayan black beer, wild dog, serow, goral and musk deer. In addition, there are beautiful bird species like osprey, pheasants, snow pigeon, sunbird, Asian emerald cuckoo, tragopan and others that find home at the park. Rich flora, including alpine grasses, oaks, maples, willows, rhododendrons and many fascinating flowers add wonderful shades to the park. Enthusiastic trekkers from all over the world throng the park area to scale some truly electrifying trekking trails. Foreign tourists must obtain restricted area permits and the domestic tourists must also obtain inner-line permits to access the park. Permission from the chief wildlife warden of Sikkim must also be obtained to gain entry into the park.