Have you ever slept hoping to be transferred to a winter wonderland and wake up to find you are surrounded by white all around? Have you ever felt fresh snow falling on your face and taken in cool crisp mountain air with each breath you take in?
My weekend trip to North Sikkim made me experience just that! We spent the night at Lachen,a small pristine village in North Sikkim only to wake up the next morning to experience season’s first snowfall.
Lachen is about 115 kms from Gangtok but hilly terrain and pretty landscapes will take you 5 hours to drive down there. Its a small place mostly containing local shops and a few hotels but the view of the mountain and valley is breathtaking. About 2 hours away is the majestic Gurudongmar lake, which is where we travelled next in the morning. Gurudongmar set at an altitude of 16,909 ft, is surrounded by towering peaks and the sunrise there is surely magical. With temperatures reaching to -15 degrees in winter it’s pretty cold so gear up accordingly.
Head to Lachung after the majestic sunrise and you will find yourself in a mini Switzerland. Walk around the local market, visit Lachung monastery, take in the views and snack on local momos to your heart’s content!
Explore Yumthang valley, about an hour drive away from Lachung. The drive to Yumthang is right at the foothills of towering Himalayas giving you a surreal experience. Yumthang valley also called the Valley of Flowers is a vast picturesque meadow which blooms with thousands of rhododendrons in the spring. If you are a snow lover like me, travel towards the end of November to find the valley covered in white snow and perhaps even get lucky like me to witness snowfall!
If you are feeling even more adventurous, travel even further from Yumthang to reach Zero point. Zero point at an altitude of 15,300 ft, is the last point permissible for tourists, shortly beyond which India shares borders with China. Surrounded by snow clad peaks and a river cutting its way in the middle, Zero point is a scenic marvel making it an ultimate snow destination.
Reaching North Sikkim is super easy by road. You can get shared cabs or reserve a cab of your own. Don’t forget to carry your ID cards and passport size photos for permits. Permits can be made by any travel agencies at Gangtok.
There are quite a few stay options including hotels and homestay, both in Lachen and Lachung. People are super hospitable and friendly. North Sikkim is one of the safest options for solo girls and backpackers in India. So plan your next adventure right and head to North Sikkim with your friends, family or even solo!
Happy travelling!
The Nomadic Girl 