Okhrey

OKhrey is in far western Sikkim and is an amazing place for birding and short hikes. This is the frontier iwth Nepal and very soon will be having a border opening into the Nepal Himalayas.Okhrey is a small village situated in West Sikkim district, India. Okhrey is mostly inhabited by Sherpas. Okhrey comes under Daramdin BAC Block Administrative Center, and is approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi) from the capital Gangtok. The nearest town from Okhrey is Sombaria at a distance of around 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). The main occupation of the people of Okhrey is farming, and they mainly produce potatoes. The temperature of Okhrey can fall to −2 °C (28 °F) in winter, and it has a moderate climate during summer.

Okhrey Travel Tips

Plan your trip When the Weather Is Fine. Packing Essentials. Get Border Permits in Advance. In Sunday all the stores and offices are closed Keep Documents Handy. Documents Required for Inner Line Permit. When In Mizoram, respect Mizo Culture & Landscape.

Okhrey Facts

It is one of the most sought after trekking trails of Sikkim. It is the most popular base for the Varsey Rhododendron trek. From October to January, you can enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjungha in Okhrey. To see the rhododendrons in full bloom, you should visit Okhrey from mid of March to mid-April every year. Birdwatching can be enjoyed throughout the year.

How to Reach

By Air

Reaching Sikkim through airway is the best transportation mode if saving time is your priority. Pakyong Airport, located in Pakyong Town, at a distance of 35 km from the state capital Gangtok, is the first airport in Sikkim. However, since the airport has been recently inaugurated, it is not well connected with major cities of India but will soon have direct flights connecting the state with other parts of the country. The nearest major airport to Gangtok is in Bagdogra located at a distance of 124 km in West Bengal. Or, you can also take a bus or cab to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra as these are easily available on a regular basis.

By Train

While Siliguri is located 145 km away from Gangtok, Jalpaiguri is located at a distance of 188 km from the city. Both Siliguri and Jalpaiguri are well connected with major cities in India. The major trains connecting the cities to farther parts of the country are Mahananda Express and Kanchankaya Express. Taxis and buses regularly ply to Gangtok from Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, so you can opt for either to reach Sikkim from here. While the journey from Siliguri to Gangtok normally takes 4 to 5 hours, it will take you 5 to 6 hours to reach Gangtok from Jalpaiguri.

By Road

Bus: Gangtok is connected through bus service with numerous major cities. Regular buses from cities like Siliguri, Bagdogra, Jalpaiguri and Kolkata are available. One can also visit shillong for some stunning places to see. Car: If you wish to enjoy the scenic route that leads to Sikkim, taking a cab or hiring a private taxi is a recommended option so that you can take a halt wherever you feel like savouring the breathtaking landscapes. You can easily find a cab from cities like Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, and Kolkata to reach the capital city, Gangtok. Bike: Satisfy the adventure junkie in you by taking a journey through the mountainous route that leads to Sikkim on two wheels. You can get a bike on rent from neighbouring cities like Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. Riding a bike to Sikkim is inarguably the most fun way to reach Sikkim.