travel kr
 
Eastern Himalaya ...
 
 

Zuluk(Silk-route) -
Fed up of visiting holiday destinations which increasingly seem to look and feel the  same? Need a total gateaway from the routine, a place one can  relax  and experience local life without the downside of more regular destination? The stay at ZULUK on silk-route of east Sikkim offer just that option.

zulukOne can experience  real Sikkim at village homestay where one stay as a guest of a local family with the warmth of Sikkimese hospitality.

There are two entries to Zuluk, one from Gangtok and other from Rongpo via Rongli. The best way to get there is from Rangpo . To acclimatize to go to a height of near 10,000ft at Zuluk one can spend a night at ARITAR – another solitary destination on the silk-route. The drive from Aritar/Rongli reveals alpine terrain in stunning natural glory. There are waterfalls that tumble from high perches on immobile stony mountains, many merrily  sauntering rivers and streams with crystal clear water, prayer flags that flutter serenely in the wind .

As one drive along the highway, every bend of the road holds the promise of more simple joys…the melting snow of the massive mountains feeding the rivers that snake through their valleys. Once one reaches Zuluk, one would find the placid little hamlet consisting of houses lined up on either side of the road and meeting people who have just about seeing tourists. Just down below the Road is Dipamaya Lodge – the only one at Zuluk promoted by TRAVEL KR  is simple but adequate. With full moon with its silvery light making a languid appearance over the distant hills, one would be lost in silvery slumber.

To have different view of  conventional  Mt. Kanchenjunga,  one should - drive two kilometers to Thambi view point.

 
 
 

Yumthang – Gorudongmar -

YUMTHANG-CHOPTA VALLEY AND LAKE GORUDONGMAR

A 121 Kms drive takes to the Alpine destination, the village of Lachung, located at an altitude of 3000m, of North Sikkim. Beyond Lachung the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Yumthang Valley and Yumesamdong are in one direction and are excellent for scenic views of the landscape, rhododendrons, alpine flowers and natural hot spring. The other destination in North Sikkim includes the village of Lachen the base camp for mountaineering expeditions to most of the mountain peaks in Sikkim. Excursion beyond Lachen escape to the pristine charms of North Sikkim to Chopta valley and Lake Gurudongmar one of the sacred glacial lake of Sikkim and Tso Lhamu, the source of river Teesta

Before long, enroute to North Sikkim, comes the first halt, infact, one is not even out of Gangtok as yet and the road curves into Tashi View Point which offer fine views of 28,168 ft. Kangchendzonga off to the northwest as well as a host of other high and largely unclimbed 6,000 mt peaks The route continues to meander through villages and is flanked by fields until it hits the forest grove of Kabi Longstok

Before you've even caught your breath from the magnificence of Kabi, you hit the Karma Kagyu Monastery of Phodong built in 1740. The monastery is famous for the intricate murals that adorn its walls. Singhik comes next with its promise of one of the most glorious views of Kangchendzonga. For those with time, a
Half an hour's walk uphill takes one to an ancient monastery suspended in time. Straddling the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers lies Chungthang, a small town full of legends It is evening by the time one hits Lachung, situated at a height of 8,610 ft., one of the most exquisite valley towns, resplendent in its crown of
snow-capped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls and sparkling streams
.
Lachung provides the base for an exploration of Yumthang (11,800 ft.) very close to the Tibetan border, The valley is couched between snow-capped mountains on one hand, green hills on the other. The sound of the rushing Yumthang Chhu, fed by glaciers accompanies you through the day. This is natures playground – a fascinating blend of breathtaking rugged Himalayan upland, hot springs, yak meadows, and a Rhododendrom sanctuary with 24 species.. It also offers the view of a stunning array of peaks with Pauhuri and Shundu Tsenpa proving the most majestic.Another hour's drive beyond Yumthang takes one to Yumesamdong (15,300 ft. Lachung's sister village, Lachen is only a recent host to tourists. Situated at an altitude of 8,838 ft. and a good six hours drive from Gangtok along the North Sikkim Highway, Lachen stand on a grassy and bush flat from the periphery of which rise the pine clad mountains with there snowy peaks and black cliffs

30 km beyond Lachen lies Thangu at an altitude of 13,000 ft. The months of May and June see this valley carpeted with alpine flowers which are replaced by snow from October through March.Few places come close to virgin of appeal of Chopta Valley (13,200 ft). Just a 20 minutes drive from Thangu, this valley provides one of the few accessible places in Sikkim where a visitor can actually walk over the frozen river. The riot of colours during spring belie this aspect, though.

No visit to North Sikkim is complete without to visit to Gurudongmar Lake. Situated at an altitude of 17,200 ft the lake freezes over during winter except at one spot which the devout believe has been specially blessed. Interestingly, the myth of Gurudongmar is believed as reverentially by the Sikhs as well as the local Buddhists

 
 

Kettle Valley Home Stay:

It is an ideal eco-village tourist destination where tourist can enjoy and be with the nature. Blessed with so much of natural beauty, majestic mountains, lush green forest intermingled with hospitable people provided the most suitable landscape. It is ideal opportunities to effectively use tourism as a tool for conservation and at the same time reap economic benefits form the business. Village tourism in Kettlevalley is a unique experience in the Hills.  The Home stay has its own private green lush forest of Magnolia, Chestnut with cardamom plantation, where one can take a private forest walk or do bird watching. Bhanzang Salamander Lake  is the main attraction of this area, located around 10 km from kettle valley by car or hike around 2 hrs. It is a beautiful green-tingled lake that shelters the rarest and most endangered species of salamanders - a species under threat of extinction.

 

 
Go to top ...
 
 
Home Hotels and Lodges Tour Adventures & Adventure Courses Photo Gallery Reservation Contact