Travelling Solo in Sikkim for 7 days - Part I (North Sikkim)

After 12-13 hours of the entire journey, I reached Gangtok. I checked-in to my hotel around 8:30 pm, which charged me 1000 bucks including food (costliest stay) but compensated well for the view from my window on a chilling night!

Food Joints -

You can get many small eating joints on this route. Most of them serve Momos, Maggi, Noodles, Thukpa (Sikkimese local dish), Fried Rice.

Some Time with People of Lachen -

I reached Lachen by 3 pm which is approximately 6 hours journey from Gangtok. Here I had perfect Bengali Lunch (Bengalies hold majority here for hotels and cooking staff). After which I visited a family staying nearby - this family was staying here since 1929 and oh man! Their house was so perfectly arranged, it seemed to possess an authentic Buddhist tradition. I wish I could show you guys every corner of their home sweet home (but didn't get to waste any time clicking but rather spending every moment like one life here).

Life here is quite slow! People staying here sleep by 8- 8:30 pm and wake up by 4-4: 30 am. But! Good in a way - considering how tough it is for us to wake up early!

I have already published a dedicated blog for this one (Gurudongmar lake being my reason for visiting Sikkim) - You can check everything related there.

Adding some photos to keep up the motivation :)

Tourists are given an option to visit Kala Pathar at an additional cost of around Rs.3000/vehicle. You can skip this one as the only reason which makes this place worth a visit is, you get to play with snow (Also there is a quite better view of Mountains in North Sikkim than this one).

Here are some shots clicked at Kala Pathar :

One thing I want to mention here - the drive to Gurudongmar Lake and Kala Pathar, both are really tiring. You will be completely exhausted by the time you finish visiting these two. Return drive is definitely going to test your patience every moment. But once you go to your bed by the end of the day, all you are going to feel is Satisfaction and ultimate Happiness... Believe me when I say this, 'You can never forget what you will see in these 10-11 hours' because I swear I didn't sleep for even a single second but kept gazing out of my window continuously :)

Note : Typically in a 2N/3D plan, you start for Gurudongmar lake from Lachen and return back to Lachung for a night stay and then head to Yumthang Valley and Zero Point the next day. However, if you have more time you can choose to return to Lachen instead of Lachung.

Note : Gurudongmar Lake, Kala Pathar, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point becomes inaccessible by the start of December depending on the weather conditions. Roads get blocked due to snowfall and entry to these might be restricted during Dec-Feb. Hence, it is advisable to seek locals (staying in Lachen/Lachung) advice before you visit there. Please, don't blindly believe your tour operators especially the ones in Gangtok or in other parts of Sikkim because the weather in North Sikkim varies adversely from any other part. Best Season to visit North Sikkim would be October-November and April-June.

Important things to know for all kinds of Tourists (Travellers):

1. Taking a shared tour (10 people in one vehicle) to North Sikkim would cost you Rs.3600 per head including food and stay. If you bargain the cost, they even come down to Rs.2800 per head.

2. Booking a private tour would cost you 18k per vehicle without food and stay.

3. I would suggest you to try booking a private tour in the least possible amount to experience every moment more closely because each moment is going to count here on this trip!

4. Family or a group traveling to North Sikkim can pre-book their tour from Gangtok itself (If you are staying in Gangtok for a night or so, you can take help from your hotel management).

5. For solo travelers or backpackers - you can take a shared tour for North Sikkim or you can take a bus or hitch-hike till Mangan and further ahead to Chungthang or Lachen (Lachung). Locals in Lachen or Lachung can help you with the remaining part of the tour at a minimum price.

6. Commuting within Sikkim - is quite tough as there is no proper local transport facility. The only way to travel across Sikkim is, by taxi which is a bit costly and requires a proper knowledge about the place.

7. North Sikkim, not recommended for people with Respiratory problems like Asthama or any kind of Heart disease. Senior Citizen can refrain from visiting Gurudongmar Lake, Kala Pathar, Zero Point.

8. Kids below 7 years of age are not permitted for visiting Gurudongmar Lake.

9. Eat less and healthy on this part of the trip. Drink plenty of water.

10. Last and most important thing - Please don't litter plastic anywhere you travel. Let's join our hands to pass this beauty of nature as a gift to upcoming generations.

Stay for both nights including food cost me Rs.500/night. (1 night in Lachen and 1 night in Lachung) The secret to this price, I shall reveal you at the end of the complete itinerary!

In the second part of this blog, I have covered some amazing spots in West and South Sikkim. You can read it here.

Also, you can buzz me anytime if you want any help regarding your Sikkim tour.

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