Sikkim's women-led cafe at 13,000 ft, a scenic, must-visit stop: How to reach

Imagine how cool it would be to munch on some snacks and sip coffee at 13,000 feet, in chilly, cold weather! If you like such an experience, head to East Sikkim. The Indian Army's Trishakti Corps, in coordination with local people and civil administration, has just opened an all-women cafe here, close to the renowned Baba Harbhajan Singh Shrine. It aims to promote tourism in the region while showcasing its heritage and strategic significance. The cafe had existed earlier as well but was recently taken over by the Indian Army and given a facelift, with women staff, as per reports.  

Views from the cafe
Visitors can check out the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Mt Pandim, Kanchenjunga, and the Dogkia and Chola ranges, from the cafe. They can also see the Baba Harbhajan Singh shrine and the pristine landscape of Sikkim. 

What the cafe offers
The cafe, operated by local women, offers standard hot beverages like coffee and tea, snacks like momos, instant Maggi noodles, and vegetable soups, as well as some local Sikkim dishes like Shya Phaley (bread stuffed with vegetables and meat). That said, it can accommodate only a few people at a time, being a small cafe. Regardless, it offers a clean, relaxing atmosphere for grabbing a quick bite. 

How to reach
The cafe is situated around 56 km from the state's capital, Gangtok. Depending on the weather, traffic and army checkpoints, it can take up to three hours to reach. From Gangtok, which is at 5,410 feet, the route to the mandir and cafe is a steep climb to 13,000 feet.