Sikkim.. Where Nature Smiles :)

Tripoto
23rd Nov 2019
Photo of Sikkim.. Where Nature Smiles :) by Trivikram Sarath
Day 1

If you want to experience Sikkim in quite comfortable way, please close the tab and move to another travel article. Yes, you experience very uncomfortable travelling on the ghats of the hilly terrain in Sikkim. But the views and places after you get down from the vehicle will mesmerise you. Damn sure.

Started from Hyderabad Airport and after around 2.30Hrs reached Bagdogra Airport. Throughout the drive you can see River Teesta flowing through the hills. The road which is in the West Bengal as quite good but, after crossing Checkpost at West Bengal border, then starts the bad roads. After a tiring journey of about 4.30Hrs, we reached. Gangtok welcomed us with heavy traffic on its narrow streets.

Night view of Gangtok.

Photo of Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Gandhi state in M.G.Market

Photo of Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

That's Red Panda.

Photo of Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

After getting refresh, we left for MG Market to purchase some heavy warm clothes for North Sikkim, which is highly recommendable.

Our plan for Day 2 is visiting Nathula pass, Tsongmo lake, and Changu baba mandir

Day 2

Nathula pass is the border between India and China, which was closed now. For visiting this, you have to take permit from Military through a travel agent. You have to submit your Voter ID and you passport photo to get the permit.

Nahtula pass is about 4,310 m above mean sea level, so the oxygen availability is low. Not recommended for aged people and heart patients. It forms a part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road which was closed now. It is one of the three open trading border posts between China and India.

You can see both the gates of India and China’s. But photography is prohibited here (but saw many clicking). You have to climb around 50 steps to see the gates. Please carry popcorn packets when you visit Nathula(). Eating Popcorn somehow helps you not getting any breath problems. (Yes, it helps). There you can find a canteen. A hot chai at those freezing cold temperature helps u. Don’t forgot to carry thick warm clothes and other woollen things to withstand those low temp.

Captain "Baba" Harbhajan Singh is revered as the "Hero of Nathula" by soldiers of the Indian army, who built a shrine in his honour. He is said to be protecting India even after death. You can see his shrine, office and belongings of baba.

Statue of Captial Harbajan Singh.

Photo of Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, East Sikkim, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

There is a shiva’s idol opposite to temple, a few steps away over a small hill. You can find an outlet that sells all the Buddhism stuff. This runs by military. After purchasing at different locations, realised that the costs here are pretty low than other places. I suggest you to buy at places like this which runs by military officials if you come across.

Photo of Sikkim.. Where Nature Smiles :) by Trivikram Sarath

By the time we reached Changu Lake, the place was fully with fog. There you can have some Yak ride as well. It's like a pit stop. Nothing much to see, I personally felt that.

Yak....Yakk.. Yakkkk....

Photo of Changu Lake, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Changu Lake, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Climate changed with in 3-4 hrs

Photo of Changu Lake, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Day 3

On Day-3, I had a terrific ride to Lachung. Only SUV type vehicles are allowed to North Sikkim. You can go by sharing(Bolero/Max) and by reserving(Innova/Xylo) a vehicle. I personally suggest to take a reserve vehicle if u are minimum of 4 mem. The sharing vehicle won't have comfort at all as min of 9 members will be dumped in the vehicle. Moreover, reserve a middle row seat when you contact any travel agent (from my experiences). No Plastic mineral water bottles are allowed into North Sikkim. At the check post before Lachung, you have to dump all you plastic bottles.

Checkpost at the entrance of Lachung.

Photo of Lachung, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Lachung, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

On the way to Lachung, you come across some waterfalls, Teesta river, a reservoir and some minor pitstops. But the roads are very bad and with a reserved vehicle, faced very much discomfort. While travelling in ghats, please carry Ajwain (carom) which helps you to reduce vomiting sensation than a tablet, for North Sikkim it helped me instantly. About 6PM, reached our stay in Lachung and early in the morning at 6AM left for Yumathang.

Day 4
Photo of Yumthang Valley DarkDragon Road, Yumthang, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Yumathang Valley took around 2hrs from Lachung and about 3564Mts. After reaching Yumathang, we headed towards Zero point which was another 45min. For zero point, it costs 3000 INR per vehicle(for reserved vehicle, it should be shared with all the members). You can find snow here and in Dec to Feb, you might not allowed here depending on the weather and road conditions(due to avalanches/landslides). Due to high altitude, you might get some headache/Nauseousness. I suggest to carry some popcorn again and don't get excited as it increases oxygen consumption. After chilling over there in snow for around an hour, after having lunch at Lachung, left for Gangtok.

Maggi n Mountains..

Photo of Zero Point Yumthang Valley, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Frozen state of water

Photo of Zero Point Yumthang Valley, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Zero Point Yumthang Valley, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Zero Point Yumthang Valley, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Day 5

Our Day-5 is for Gangtok sightseeing. We have visited some falls, a flower exhibition center, monasteries, view points, Ropeway and an institute of Tibetology.

Photo of Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Topview of Gangtok.

Photo of Gangtok Ropeway, Vishal Gaon, Gangtok, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Day 6

Day 6, We left for Pelling. On our drive, we visited Buddha park in Ravangla. It's a huge Budda statue in sitting pose. It has an exhibition hall with murals related to Buddhism.

Cute but blank face.. -_-

Photo of Pelling, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Peace.

Photo of Buddha Park, Ravangla, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Local vegetation of Sikkim

Photo of Buddha Park, Ravangla, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Day 7

Day 7. It was the most memorable morning for me as I witnessed the golden view of the India's highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga from my hotel terrace. With rays of sun, that white mountain eventually turned Orange.

Rest of the day, we visited Pemayangtse Monastery, Kanchenjunga Waterfalls, Rabdentse Ruins, Pelling Skywalk and other places.

Mt. kanchenjunga

Photo of Sikkim.. Where Nature Smiles :) by Trivikram Sarath
Photo of Summit Newa Regency & Spa, Pelling, near Old State Bank Of India, Lower, Pelling, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Day 6

Feeding fishes

Photo of Khecheopalri Lake, Sikkim by Trivikram Sarath

Chit chat hour for monks.

Photo of Pemayangtse Monastery, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath

Ruins of then Sikkim Dynasty.

Photo of Rabdentse Ruins, Geyzing, Sikkim, India by Trivikram Sarath
Day 8

At last returned to Hyderabad with lot of memories of Sikkim.

Thanks for Vivek from TravelZyada for making my trip comfortable.

Travel More...Create moments... :)

Frequent searches leading to this page:-

weekend getaways from hyderabad, gangtok lachen lachung 5 day itinerary, gangtok tour package cost, 2 night 3 days gangtok itinerary, delhi to sikkim trip, special trains from telangana

Related to this article
Weekend Getaways from East sikkim,Places to Stay in East sikkim,Places to Visit in East sikkim,Things to Do in East sikkim,East sikkim Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Sikkim,Things to Do in Sikkim,Places to Stay in Sikkim,Sikkim Travel Guide,Things to Do in India,Places to Stay in India,Places to Visit in India,India Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Hyderabad,Places to Visit in Hyderabad,Places to Stay in Hyderabad,Things to Do in Hyderabad,Hyderabad Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Telangana,Things to Do in Telangana,Telangana Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Gangtok,Places to Visit in Gangtok,Places to Stay in Gangtok,Things to Do in Gangtok,Gangtok Travel Guide,Places to Visit in Yumthang,Weekend Getaways from Yumthang,Places to Stay in Yumthang,Things to Do in Yumthang,Yumthang Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from North sikkim,Places to Stay in North sikkim,Places to Visit in North sikkim,Things to Do in North sikkim,North sikkim Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Lachung,Places to Visit in Lachung,Places to Stay in Lachung,Things to Do in Lachung,Lachung Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Pelling,Places to Visit in Pelling,Places to Stay in Pelling,Things to Do in Pelling,Pelling Travel Guide,Places to Visit in West sikkim,Things to Do in West sikkim,Weekend Getaways from West sikkim,Places to Stay in West sikkim,West sikkim Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Geyzing,Places to Visit in Geyzing,Things to Do in Geyzing,Places to Stay in Geyzing,Geyzing Travel Guide,Places to Visit in South sikkim,Things to Do in South sikkim,Weekend Getaways from South sikkim,Places to Stay in South sikkim,South sikkim Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Ravangla,Places to Visit in Ravangla,Places to Stay in Ravangla,Things to Do in Ravangla,Ravangla Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Pemayangtse monastery,Places to Visit in Pemayangtse monastery,Places to Stay in Pemayangtse monastery,Things to Do in Pemayangtse monastery,Pemayangtse monastery Travel Guide,