Natural wonders of Sikkim’s Kanchenjunga National Park

Kanchenjunga National Park and Biosphere Reserve is one of the best natural places you will find in Sikkim. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in July 2016 as India’s first "Mixed Heritage" site. Kanchenjunga National Park is everything one would expect from a raw and untouched natural beauty.

The national park and biosphere reserve is also home to Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. The mountain’s transboundary is shared by India, Nepal, Bhutan and China. However, it is important to note that climbing the mountain from India’s side is prohibited due to spiritual reasons. But one can go for the Mount Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, which, by the way, is not an easy thing to do.


Coming back to the national park and biosphere reserve, Kanchenjunga National Park is spread over an area of over 1,784 sq km, and comprises pristine forests, alpine meadows, and glaciers. The national park is a biodiversity hotspot and supports a number of species of flora and fauna.


To say that Kanchenjunga National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, would be an understatement. Here, you will find numerous species of orchids, rhododendrons, and other medicinal plants, most of which are endemic in nature. Given the endemic nature of the plant species, it is important to protect this region from any kind of exploitation. The forest of Kanchenjunga National Park is home to species such as the elusive snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, and numerous species of pheasants.

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But Kanchenjunga National Park is not just about animals, birds and plants. The park is also inhabited by several indigenous communities, including the Limbu and Rai people. The region’s culture has a deep connection with the natural land, forests, rivers and the mountain. So much so that Mount Kanchenjunga influences a number of spiritual beliefs in the region. There are rich cultural traditions and festivals that one needs to experience to get an understanding of the region’s culture.

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Kanchenjunga National Park also offers some of the most challenging yet rewarding trekking experiences in the Himalayas. The most popular Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, is one of the most popular attractions for those who are into adventure travel. It is definitely one of the least visited national parks in India, but one that you should not miss out on.