Ashyamedh-Explore The Beauty Of North Sikkim


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	A land - where haven touches the earth, the ambience creates mystery, landscape dominated by elements, silence can be heard, vision tends to travel beyond the horizon, soul starts meditating- unknowingly, mind gets rejuvenated; and a land that makes you bow. North Sikkim is the northern district of Sikkim. Mongan is the district headquarter of North Sikkim. At an altitude of 3950 ft the town is located at a distance of 65 km from Gangtok, the state capital. Tourists need special permits to visit North Sikkim beyond Mangan. North Sikkim can be visited only as part of an organized tour.
The road from Mangan goes straight to Chungthang, another major town of North Sikkim. At 5,600 ft. Chungthang is 95 km from Gangtok. From here the road bifurcates. The road to the left goes to Lachen and the road to the right reaches Lachung. Lachen is the base from where tours to Gurudongmar lake and Chopta valley is organised. Lachung on the other hand is the base for your tours to Yumthang valley.
Your journey to North Sikkim - a land full of unfamiliar experiences - starts from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Landscape changes rapidly on every curve, as your road winds upwards. With thick smell of wild flowers, mossy trees, streams rushing down, mists coiling up from the deep gorges, sudden flashy flight of colourful birds, huge snow range embossed in the horizon, wide spread valley, deep blue sky, lonely prayer flag waving leisurely at the distant top - you are on your way to a different destination.
note: Almost the entire zone of North Sikkim comes under the restricted territory, foreigner's visit beyond Thangu is prohibited. Tourism in the region is at a nascent stage and guests may not get the same level of service in north-sikkim as they would in other parts of the region.


Kabi Langchuk (18 Km) Phodong (36 Km) Singhik (65 Km) Chungthang (95 km) Lachung (120 Km) Lachen (130 Km) Yumthang (140Km) Yumesamdong (15Kms from Yumthang) Thangu (160 Km) Chopta Valley (163 km)



Kabi Langchuk As the journey continues from Gangtok, the route meanders through small villages flanked by fields and valleys until it hits the forest grove of Kabi Langchuk, the place that saw the historic swearing of blood brotherhood between the Lepchas and the Bhutias. An event that underlines the ethos of even present day Sikkim. Stone markers were erected to keep the promise alive and stand to this day.
Phodong Before you have 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 wall.
Singhik comes next with its promises of one of the most glorious views of Kunchanjungha. Situated at an altitude of over 4000ft Singhik offers a desired break to the travellers on the way to Lachen or Lachung. For those having time, a half an hour's walk uphill takes one to an ancient monastery suspended in time.
Chungthang Straddling at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers lies Chungthang, a small town with full of legends. One of such legends claims this to be the place from where the word Demaong (the hidden valley of rice) first originated for Sikkim. The road coming from Gangtok divides at Chungthang. One leading towards northeast via Lachung up to Yumthang, Yumesamdong and Katao, all in the high altitude plateau above 12000ft and the other one via Lachen towards further north up to Thangu, Gurudongmar and Tso-Lamu Lake on Tibet border.
Lachung It is evening by the time you reach Lachung at a height of 8610 ft, one of the most exquisite villages in the valleys of North Sikkim. With resplendent snow-capped mountains, dazzling waterfalls and sparkling streams, Lachung has been described as the "most picturesque village of Sikkim" by none other than Joseph Salton Hooker in his definitive, The Himalayan Journal (1855). A small monastery adorning a solitary hilltop is a perfect place for meditation. The entire valley gets a completely different look in winter when wrapped by thick layer of snow. Lachung has a small market but due to tourist influx several small and medium hotels have come up with basic facilities. Lachung provides a base for the travellers bound to Yumthang Valley, popularly known as the 'Switzerland of the East'.
Lachen - North Sikkim Lachung's sister village Lachen is only a recent host to tourists. Situated at an altitude of 8838 ft and a good 6hours drive from Gangtok along the North Sikkim highway, Lachen stands on a grassy and bushy flat land separated by deep gorges of Lachen Chu from where rises the pine clad mountains with their snowy peaks and black cliffs. The village comprises of nearly 150 houses, earlier inhabited only in winters by the owners who spend the summers on the alpine pastures along the Tibet border tending to their herd of yaks. The monastery overlooking the Lachen village is worth visiting. A fabulous trek route to the Green Lake at 15400ft in Kunchanjungha National Park originates from Lachen. Few hotels with basic facilities with a luxurious one have come up in Lachen to cater the requirement of nature lovers.
Yumthang Valley This famous valley in North Sikkim lies 140km north of Gangtok. Lachung provides the base for exploration of Yumthang, the valley of flowers. Situated at an altitude of 11800 ft ( 3564m) with a close proximity of Tibet, Yumthang is a unique place where the tree line ends. But rhododendron and primula still bloom covering the whole area in a surreal shade. It also offers view of a stunning array of peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa. A number of hot springs are scattered in the valley providing an unexpected opportunitny to feel the warmth of the water even in freezing temperature. Rich in sulphur these springs are believed to have miraculous healing power. The best season for visiting the valley starts in late February and continues up to mid June, when thousands of colourful flowers are in full bloom. However, to enjoy a clear sky and brilliant view of snow-capped mountains, the September - December season would be ideal. There is no accommodation available at the valley. Visitors may stay at Lachung from where the valley is about an hours drive. Accommodation in Lachung is basic and can not be compared to other destinations in Sikkim. naturebeyond arranges for hotels and food as part of its package tours to Yumthang. The region has been opened to tourists during the recent years although trekking is still not allowed. Tourism infrastructure in the area is still very basic but fast improving. The road to Yumthang from Gangtok follows the Teesta River, crossing a spectacular gorge over the Rang Rang suspension bridge. The last major town is Chungthang about from where Lachung is an hours drive where tourists stay overnight. The picturesque road from Lachung and Yumthang is lined with rhododendrons on both sides that bloom during the months of April and May giving the valley its name of the valley of flowers. Due to its proximity to the Chinese boarder the region was inaccessible to common tourists, both Indian and foreign. Even now Yumthang is reached mostly as part of a tour group. Individual and independent travel can be organised on demand.
Yumesamdong (15Kms from Yumthang) An hour drive beyond Yumthang through the rugged mountain road takes you to Yumesamdong (15300ft), an area where the sweet fragrance of Azalea permeates the air. Heady, invigorating and exhilarating, but words still to fail to explain the experience of being at Yumesamdong.
Thangu 30kms beyond Lachen lies Thangu at an altitude of 13000ft. Months of may and June see this valley carpeted of alpine flowers which are replaced by snow from October up to March. The small picturesque hamlet with scanty population Thangu has recently developed few accommodations with basic facilities. Tree lines disappear at Thangu and start a zone that can be compared only with the unreachable terrain in Tibetan plateau. Situated on the high alpine plateau, Thangu can be an ideal place for the real nature lovers as it provides a base for fabulous trek routes to Chopta valley and Muguthang, a land of the nomadic people. One needs to stay at Thangu for acclimatisation before proceeding further.
Chopta Valley Wonders never cease in North Sikkim. With each turn, each valley, each rivulet trying to out do the other in the scenic beauty that it offers. Few places come close to the virgin appeal of Chopta Valley (13200 ft), just 20 minutes drive from Thangu. The valley provides one of the few accessible places in Sikkim where one can actually walk over the frozen rivers. The riot of colours during spring belies this aspect, through. An adventurous trek through Chopta valley leads to Muguthang valley at an altitude of 15500ft, another unseen destination in the greater Himalayas. Eyes, as far as it can reach, find here a vast flat pasture crisscrossed by numerous snow-fed streams. The high alpine valley of Muguthang is only inhabitable for rare high altitude ruminants and their predators. However, some nomadic tribes from Tibet occasionally settle here for food and for grazing their yaks.





ASHWAMEDH arranges travel packages for visit to the region. These packages typically includes all transport, accommodation, sight seeing and food. The package tours are for one or two nights from Gangtok to Gangtok basis.