Sikkim is the home of Rhododendrons and the Government of Sikkim is hosting three weeks long Rhododendron Festival from 25th April to 14th May 2010. The main venue will be at Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary in Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim- spread over 43 sq. km. of rhododendron forests. The Sanctuary was established some 20 years back and it is the repository of around 26 large leaved species of which R. hodgsonii, R. falconeri, R. thomsonii, R. campylocarpum, R. campanulatum, R. decipiens, R. cinnabarinum, R. wightii, R. niveum, R. sikkimense and many others will be at their best. The Rhododendron Festival, first of its kind in the Indian Himalayas, will showcase the importance of this spectacular genus in the plant kingdom both from tourism and conservation standpoint.
The venue, 5 hours drive from Gangtok, is well connected by motor able road and modest accommodation is available. Short botanical tours in the interior with base at Lachung and Lachen could also be organized with prior arrangement.
It is a unique opportunity to see the rhododendrons flowers at their best and mingle with the fun-loving people of Lachung and experience their way of life – their music, songs & dance, cuisines in the accompaniment of rhododendrons all around.

F E S T I V A L P L A C E 2010 2011 Punakha Domchoe Punakha 13 – 17 Feb 04 – 08 Mar Chorten Kora Tashi Yangtse 23 Feb & 10 Mar 14 & 29 Mar Gom Kora Tshechu Tashigang 18 – 20 Mar 06 – 08 Apr Chhukha Tshechu Chhukha 18 – 20 Mar 06 – 08 Apr Paro Tshechu Paro Festival Paro 21 – 25 Mar 09 – 13 Apr Ura Tshechu Ura Festival Tour Bumthang 19 – 23 Apr 07 – 11 May Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang 15 – 17 Jun 04 – 06 July Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang 17 Jun 06 July Wangdu Tshechu Wangdi Festival Tour Wangdue 11– 13 Sept 30 Sept – 02 Oct Tamshing Phala Choepa Tamshing Phala Festival Tour Bumthang 12– 14 Sept 01– 03 Oct Thimphu Drupchen Thimphu 08– 12 Sept 27 Sept – 01 Oct Thimphu Tshechu Thimpu Festival Tour Thimphu 13 – 15 Sept 02 – 04 Oct Tangbi Mani Tangbi Festival Tour Bumthang 17– 19 Sept 06 – 08 Oct Jambay Lakhang Drup Jambay Lakhang Festival Tour Bumthang 17 - 21 Oct 05 – 09 Nov Prakar Tshechu Bumthang 18 – 20 Oct 06 – 08 Nov Ngalakhang Tsehchu Bumthang 15 – 17 Dec 04 – 06 Dec Mongar Tshechu Mongar 07 – 10 Dec 27 – 28 Nov Pemagatsel Tshechu Pemagatsel 07 – 10 Dec 27 – 30 Nov Tashigang Tshechu Tashigang 08 – 11 Dec, 28 Nov – 01 Dec Lhuntse Tshechu Lhuntse 08 – 10 Jan, '010 28 – 30 Dec Trongsa Tshechu Tongsa 08 – 10 Jan, '010 28 – 30 Dec

Festival Dates Published by Sikkim Tourism Bureau. All festival dates are calculated according to the Tibetan/Buddhist lunar calendar and are subject to change without notice by the local authorities.