Wednesday 30 July 2014

North Sikkim - Snowy Mountains


North Sikkim has boasts of main attraction in sikkim’s tourist map, It cover cover with flowery valleys, north Sikkim is a beautiful paradise with the flower valleys 500 water falls,hotsprings,glaciers and the Himalayan mountains, stretched over 850 sp. Km. with the dense forest Kanchenjunga National Parks with the various types of animals. The Border Road Organisation has constructed road in all side roads – Gangtok to Kabi – 17 KM to Phodong 40 KM, mangan 66 KM, Singhik 72 KM, Chungthang 96 KM, 
Lachung 117 KM to Yumthang 14 KM and Gangtok to gurudongmar lake distance 175 KM. kabi is place where altitude is 5400 ft. and here lived Lepcha and bhutias and settled permanently in Sikkim. Longstok , Singhba Rhododendron sanctuary are watching North Sikkim.  

                                                   
                                                  Rhododendron flower in sikkim

A land of thick carpets of wild alpine blossoms. Mysterious and holy Lakes, misty gorges,jagged edge of snowy mountains that pierce pristine blue skies and a devout and welcoming people. A visit to this wonderland  will certainly rejuvenate the soul, its sheer up  beauty will satiate even the most jaded traveler. 

Most important place where you can travel  :- 

Seven sister Waterfalls :- 
                                                             This falls is situated 32KM from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway. Tourists can savor  the white waterfalls and break their journey to refresh themselves with their favorite beverage. 

kabi  Lungchok :- 
                                  A historic memorial statue pillar here marks  treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepcha and the Bhutia people. It is situated 17 KM from gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway.

Phensang Monastery :- 
                                                Situated on the gentle slope between Kabi & Phodong, this monastery 
originally built in 1721 and renovated after a fire in 1948. Is one of the best specimens of sikkimies religious architecture.

Phodong Monastery :- 
                                             About 40 KM from Gantok, it is one of the six major monasteries in Sikkim. This place is Gangtok to Thamlong and walk 1 Km to reach Phodong Monastery.It is a tourist attraction place ,1/2  hours trek takes you to 100 years old Labrang Monastery between two monastery is the 3rd capital of the Sikkim kings. Phodong Monastery belongs to the karmapa Sector, and situated about 1 KM up-hill by a jeepable road that bifurcates from the North Sikkim Highway. It was build by the Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal some where in the 1st quarter of the 18th century. 


Mangan :- 
                                  Crossing after  the 2nd highest hanging bridge in Asia at rongRong and 26 KM  ahead from Phodong is the palce mangan. It is earthquake zone area and altitude is 3950 foot and district  headquarter of North Sikkim. Singhik is small locality from mangan is 5KM.


Srijunga Yuma Mangshilla :- 
                                                        Venue for Maghey Sankranti a hindu festival held on first day of holy month of Maagh (Janury to February) to commemorate the coming of warmer weather and better days of health and fortune. The festival that include cultural programmes and fairs has gained in popularity over the years and attracts ever increasing numbers of local visitors.

Singhik :-
                    Offers some of the best views of khangchendzonga and its sister range such as mount sinolchu. Visitors can put up the tourist Lodge and enjoy short one to three day trek along forest trails. Singhik offer you the panoramic view of the Mount Kanchenjunga. On the top of the hill is the Singhik a small locality with its Chorten.

Katao :-
                The same landscape like Yumthung but snow and flower poppies, primulas and rhododendrons are more sense. Yaks grazing are surrounded by peaks Sarteta, Katao, great Alpine, Domang, Zenea. This is a beautiful place to be included in the tourist map and 15 KM away is Patala on the Chinese Border but it is out of bound for tourist. From Lachung 24 KM  distance and crossing over Lachung river; It is situated in hilltop altitude is 12666 foot.  You can taste in ice near by hands  and Ice car move in the month of May. If you like this place can book on your Yumtham car for Katao. 


Rong Lungten Lee :- 
                                           Lepcha traditional house at Namprikdang situated confluence of “Kanaka” and “Teesta”. Its distance 8 KM from Mangan. Beside various artifacts of antique value on display during the Namsoong festival. Visitors can enjoy the pristine beauty of the flora and fauna also. 

Chungthan :- 
                           Important commercial centre of North Sikkim, situated at a distance of 95 KM from Gangtok  and located on a valley along the confluence of the Lachen and comprising of orchids and alpine plants on the way of Yumthang. Chungthang, which is the surrounded by high mountains and it’s a altitude is 5200 foot. This place lies at the  confluence of the Lachen Chu(Tista) and Lachung chu, and the raod lead from here to both the valleys. The reckon 
which legend Guru Padmasambhava rested and the imprint of this footmark.

Lachen :- 
               Also self-governed by the Dzumsa,Lachen at an altitude 9020 foot offers village tourism  infrastructure developed and supported by the UNDP. The Lachen Monastery provides a panaromic  view of the surrounding hills and country side. Tarun hot Springs at a distance of 8 KM also attracts  many who visit it for its therapeutic properties. This is a good place for a cup of tea. From chungthang 20 KM left the paradise place is Lachen. The golden image of Buddha is herein a monastery . 1000 inhabitant live here and work on Yak and Sheep cultivation. 

Lachung :- 
                                                    Lachung “The famous place” of North Sikkim Situated  altitude is  8000  feet and governance called the Dzumsa,  lachung which provides excellent village trouism facilities if the gateway to the popular yumthung  Valley which is at a distance of 25 KM from Lachung.

                                                
                                                   Lachung village in north sikkim

Yumthang :- 
                   Yumthang “The famous valley” in North Sikkim  is 11800 feet and 140 KM from Gangtok,  the valley and plains of Yumthang leaves one speechless with its breathtaking beauty and scenic grandeur. This paradise is home to the singbha Rhododendron sanctuary that  boasts 24 species of Rhododendrons and a staggering variety of alpine flora. From Yumthang  you can adventure travel O (Zero) point in tibbet Border for extra booking with driver of your jeep. February to March available Rhododendron flower and make pristine beauty in flower in valley in all sides. 
Tibbet border  10 KM from Yumthang. 


                                                  Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim

Thangu :- 
                          A small village at an altitude of 13500 feet, 2 hours drive from Lachen by car. Visitors can planning trek to Guru-dongmar lake, muguthang or cho lhmu by the side of Teesta and spent some time here to acclimatize themselves to the high altitude. Thangu is last human habitant in North Sikkim. The road ends at Thangu .

Yumesamdong :- 
                                       From Yumthang 24 KM distance situated a snow fall place “Yumesamdong”  and altitude is 15500 feet ,  the trail is filled with the fragrance, the azalea, a plant collected by the locals people . It’s a great place you  can experience the enchanting views of the mountaineering  clad in snow.

Chopta Valley :-
                          The Chopta Valley is 148 KM from Gangtok, 30 KM from Lachen. The road beyond leads to another paradise. The Muguthang and Lukanala mountain block the way. The chopta Chu river flour among this picturisation and 
scenery of beauty. At 13200 feet it lies a mere 20  minutes drive away from Thangu. A walk along the frozen rivers can be once in life time experience.

Guru-dongmar Lake :-
                                  Local people say to Gurudongmar Lake “ You are closer to God”. At an altitude 17800 feet this milky-white lake is one of the holiest water  bodies of Sikkim. Legend has it that the lake was blessed by Guru-Padmasambhava on his return from Tibet. It is also believed that even in the severest of winter there are portion of the lake that never freeze. The gurudongmar Lake distance 47 KM From Lachen and 26 KM from thangu. The entire lake is cover with snow learing the centre. Open with the crystal blue and hot water. People say that “ gurunanak sat on the mountain and dipped his leg in this lake”. 

                               
                                                    Zero Point in Tibbetian Border

Where to Stay :-

Std Code :- 03592.
Snow Clive View Residency – 214 972.
Golden Valley Resort – 09732 639 539.
Marcopolo World Travel – PS Road, Gangtok, 204116 / 209407.
Blue Sky Tours and Travel, Tibbet Road, Gangtok-737 101, 205113 / 203330 
Mangan – Assam Karma – 234712, Yang Khar,(beside Taxi Stand) 234595 / 9745 076810. Ganga Jamuna- 234506. 
Lachen – Government Bunglow Snow Peak, Juniper Resort, Abu – 03592 204116. 

Information :-
1. For North Sikkim travel make a package from Gangtok . 8 to 10 people are accommodated in a jeep. 1 night 2 days for Yumthang and cost as per per head basis depend in time and situation. 2 Night 3 Days Yumthang and gurudongmar lake. Also available 3 Night 4 Days for Yumthang and gurudongmar. The rate include fooding, lodging, conveyance for the entire period.

2. Require woolen dresses.

3. Medicine should be stock in bag.

4. For Gurudongmar lake permission from superintendent of Police, Gangtok and Government autherised Travel Agencies. 

5. Best time to travel March to June and October to December.

6. Katao travel not available in March to April for Ice gathering in road .

7. RAP(Restricted Area Permit) available from Travel Agencies.

8. Not available Air and Rail connection but available road connection like jeep, small bus, Trekker and private car.