Day 3

Chungthang
we reached Chungthang around 5:30 pm.Chungthan itself is a beautiful place Situated on the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers,which combine to form the Teesta River.it is believed that Guru Padmasambhaba and Guru Nanak have also visited this place.the entire Sikkim is very clean place to preserve environment they have certain restrictions for using plastics but from here we need to littered plastics even bottles.As here people preserve nature and maintain cleanliness such that there are high fines if you litter anywhere.From here the road gets divided to Lachung and Lachen.

 

Lachung
Around 6:30 we have reached our homestay where we got fresh and had dinner with rice, lentils ,sabji which was a treat after a 6 hours zigzag bumpy rides.A pretty village, situated on both banks of the Lachung River,Lachung literally means ‘Small Pass’, which it indeed is as it is situated in the close proximity to Tibet border. The Lachung Gompa is the major attraction of the town. The village retains its culture and handicraft is something that you need to pay attention to. Around 6:30 we have reached our homestay where we got fresh and had dinner with rice, lentils ,sabji which was a treat after a 6 hours zigzag bumpy rides.A pretty village, situated on both banks of the Lachung River,Lachung literally means ‘Small Pass’, which it indeed is as it is situated in the close proximity to Tibet border. The Lachung Gompa is the major attraction of the town. The village retains its culture and handicraft is something that you need to pay attention to.

 

Yumthang valley
Journey starts after an overnight stay at Lachung. Bed of Rhododendron flowers Yumthang valley 1.5 hours journey from Lachung village,roads with running waterfalls Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is having 34 sq km area has 40 species of Rhododendron trees which blooms in April to May every year are lining our way to the valley.Before entering the valley there is pathway leading to yumthang hot spring which water is rich in sulphur.the valley was filled with flowers thus it rightly earns its name as ‘Valley of Flowers’. The vasts meadows and the passing of River Teesta through it,roaming yaks,gigantic snow covered mountain peaks makes it nature lovers’ paradise.

 

Yumesamdong
Generally Zero Point also known as Yumesamdong is not covered in the tour, it took rs 500/person but worth visiting as this place is heaven on earth,15000ft sea level zero point was covered with snow and snow clad mountains and it was my dream come true part, with playing with snow for the first time.this place called zero as civilian roads ends here it is very close to China border thus it requires special permits to reach.we stayed there near about an hour and headed back to lachung.

 

Lachen
From chungthang to Lachen it takes 2 hours maximum and this time roads are more dangerous,bumpy than Lachung. Lachen means ‘Big Pass’.We admire the breathtaking beauty of Lachen which is drenched in every-bit of beauty.The town is the base for Chopta Valley and the famed Gurudongmar Lake and Lhamu lakes. The Lachen Gompa is the prime attraction here apart from nature’s beauty.In summers an annual yak race takes place every year in Thangu.apart from Lachen monastery and Thangu must visit places in Lachen are Chopta Valley, which is a shutterbugs paradise, and the Gurudongmar Lake which is open only to Hindus and Buddhists. Located at an altitude of approximately 8838 feet.