Truly a naturalist's delight. The hillsides and mountain slopes of Sikkim are strewn with bright patches of myriad colours. The lower mountain slopes are abundant with lush green bamboos and ferns.

And the northern valleys are draped with wild cherry, oaks, chestnuts, pines and white magnolia. The higher altitudes are abloom with a carpet of rhododendrons with a splendour of their own. Sikkim's 600 varieties of orchids are a feast for the eye.

The International Flower Festival is celebrated during March-May, when most of the state's 600 species of orchids, 240 species of trees and 240 species of ferns, 150 kinds of gladioli, 46 varieties of the world famous rhododendrons, equally varied species of magnolias and many other foliage plants are in full bloom. Major categories are orchids, gladioli, annuals, roses, alpine plants, pot plants, cacti, succulents, creepers, climbers, ferns, herbs and even wild flowers.

Lectures and seminars are held by the experts in each field. A food festival is also organised.