The Sikkim Himalayas, the epitome of the world's mountains, encompass a wonderland, which for sheer beauty and magnificence remains unbeaten elsewhere in the globe. In the southwestern part of Sikkim, in the main Himalayan range, lies the majestic Kanchendzonga or Kanchenjunga, rising to a staggering height of 8,585 m (28,169 ft) above sea level. Beside this third largest peaks, other famous mountaineering peaks in Sikkim include - Kabru, Kirat Chulior Tent Peak (7,365 m) and Sinolchu (6,887 m).

Mountaineering expeditions, unlike trekking, require more planning and paperwork as clearance is required from Ladian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi. Local Government also imposes royalty on some peaks.

The first European to explore the Kanchenjungha area was Douglas W. Fresfield who reached its base in 1899 from the Green Lake Basin area. In 1977 another expedition led by Major Prem Chand reached a few feets below the summit. In 1987, an Assam Rifles expedition attempted the peak. In 1991 an Indo Japanese expedition led by Hukam Singh and Yoshio Ogata conquered the peak.

The Kabru was first climbed in 1935 by a British C. R. Cooke. The Pyramid Peak was first conquered in 1949 by a Swiss R. Dittert. A British A. M. Kallas, climbed the Paunhri in 1911.

The summit of Siniolchu was first reached by a German in 1936. It was later again climbed by the famous Sikkimese Everester Sonam Gyatso. Pandim was climbed in 1993 by a team from the Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute. Rathong was conquered by an Indian expedition in 1964.

Beautiful snow clad mountains present myriad challenges for the mountaineers but cannot stop these enthusiasts from exploring themselves.

List of Open Peaks in Sikkim: