Gangtok: Sikkim will host a week-long adventure tourism festival from November 1 to 7, featuring more than 20 activities distributed across all six districts of the state, according to official announcements made on Tuesday.
The Sikkim Adventure Tourism Fest will be centred at Linkhim Tar in the Namchi district. Key attractions during the event will include paragliding, river rafting, ziplining, hot-air ballooning, mountain biking, trekking, and birdwatching, as detailed by officials during a technical briefing.
Tenzing Gelay, Additional Director of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, stated that this is the first festival of its kind in the state. He noted that the initiative is designed to boost the local economy by drawing visitors and highlighting Sikkim's wide range of outdoor experiences.
Kazi Sherpa, Additional Director and Principal of the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism, explained that Linkhim Tar will act as the primary hub for the event, while various trekking expeditions and nature-focused activities will be held across the different districts.
Paragliding is expected to be a major highlight of the festival. Deputy Director Manoj Chettri mentioned that participating team members have undergone formal training and are registered under Sikkim INSPIRES, with insurance coverage provided to individuals who register for the activity.
The festival will also incorporate the second edition of Tour de Sikkim, which is a six-day, five-night mountain biking expedition. Spanning approximately 253 kilometres along the historic Silk Route, the route reaches an altitude of roughly 4,279 metres.
Deputy Director Brinda Mohan Subba stated that bicycle rentals will be offered at nominal rates for participants. Promoted trekking routes will include the Heart of Sikkim Trek and the Dzongri-Singalila Round Trek.
Birdwatching excursions are scheduled in both East and West Sikkim. These will span the Rongli-Lungthu-Zuluk-Pangolakha landscape and the Pelling-Khecheopalri-Khangchendzonga landscape, respectively, placing a strong emphasis on conservation awareness and nature-based tourism.
Additionally, the event will feature the Gangtok Adventure Relay, with a participation fee set at 7,500 rupees per person, according to Under Secretary Namgyal Lepcha.
Assistant Director Shrijana Pradhan announced that registrations and ticket bookings can be completed online through the official tourism portal or via designated offline channels. A physical ticket counter will also be established at MG Marg in Gangtok to assist attendees with information and purchases for eligible activities.
Organisers emphasized that all activities will strictly follow established operational and safety protocols, utilizing trained personnel and certified operators. Participants are advised to consult the official website for complete event schedules, fee structures, eligibility requirements, and safety guidelines.
The broader objectives of the festival include promoting sustainable tourism, encouraging active local participation, and generating new livelihood opportunities while firmly establishing Sikkim's potential as a premier destination for adventure and nature-based travel.