A mountainous country of incredible beauty and abundant wildlife, Sikkim is home to three distinct peoples, the Lepchas, Bhotias and Nepali. This small, formerly independent kingdom is now a state of India, but its snow-covered peaks, flower-filled meadows and gorgeously decorated Buddhist temples remain unknown even to many who live within easy reach of its borders. In this unique celebration of Sikkim’s history, geography, flora and fauna, David Lang writes evocative and beautifully illustrated accounts of four eventful treks he made in the mountainous northern parts of the country – exploring valleys which no western botanist had visited for 150 years. The book includes attractive maps, a bibliography and a glossary of Sikkimese terms, together with a specially commissioned article on the forest orchids of Sikkim by Mohan Pradhan. It is the essential companion for anyone intending to discover this wonderful country and its people at first hand.

David Lang has been an amateur botanist and keen birdwatcher since childhood and is actively involved in nature conservation, with a special interest in terrestrial orchids. A retired veterinary surgeon, he is the author of six previous books, including A Guide to the Orchids of Great Britain and Ireland, The Complete Book of British Berries, and The Wild Flower Finder’s Calendar.