North Sikkim Travel: North Sikkim Tour

2008-11-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

North Sikkim is probably the most beautiful part of Sikkim Himalaya. Mangan, the district head quarter of North Sikkim, is situated 65 kms away for Gangtok at an altitude of about 4000 ft. North Sikkim has immense potential of nature that includes approx 500 waterfalls, beautiful valleys, glaciers, hot spring, snowcapped Himalayan peaks & various types of rhododendrons & orchids. Some of the important places in North Sikkim are the Yumthang Valley, Lachung Valley, Lachen Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Zero Point, Katao & Yumasemdong.

North Sikkim- Region Highlights

Yumthang:

Yumthang, The Valley of Flowers, is often compared with Switzerland. Yumthang is situated approx 142 km away from Gangtok, at an altitude of 1200 ft. The roadside along with the entire valley is covered with snow during the winter. One can alsosee numerous varieties of Rhododendrons & orchids during March to June. Yumthang is also famous for hot spring & its healing power on the bank of Lachung Chu.

Yumesamdong, another hot spring of North Sikkim on river Sbu Chu, is only 23 kms away from Yumthang. Just beside Yumesamdong there is Donkiyala Pass which connect the valleys of Lachung & Lachen.

Katao:

Katao Valley is just 24 kms away from Lachung at an altitude of above 15,000 ft. From Katao one can see the snowcapped peaks of Himalaya & beautiful valleys covered with rhododendron. Katao also remains covered with ice most of the time.

Lachung:

Lachung a small hamlet of North Sikkim is situated at an altitude of 8200 ft. 120 kms away from Gangtok. Lachung is only 25 kms away from Yumthang. A full day excursion to Yumthang valley can be a life time experience to any guest.

Lachen:

Lachen is another small hamlet of North Sikkim situated about 125 away from Gangtok, at an altitude of 9000 ft. higher than Lachung. Lachen is famous for its apple plantation & beautiful valley. There are many trekking routs from Lachen leads to some beautiful place like Green Lake. Gurudongmar Lake at an altitude of 14000 ft. along with the Chopta Valley is some of the important places that can be covered from Lachen.

Gurudongmar Lake:

Gurudongmar Lake is situated approx 50 kms away from Lachen at an altitude of 18,000 ft. The lake is on a high plateau adjacent to the Tibetan plateau. Gurudongmar is considered one of the most sacred lakes in Sikkim by the Buddhists as well as the Hindus. According to the Buddhists’ belief the lake is blessed by Gurudongmar Padmasamvava & it remains milky through out the year. Even in the extreme cold a part of the lake does not freeze. The lake is named after him, who was also known as Guru Dongmar. This is the source of Lachen Chu, an important stream in North Sikkim. Gurudongmar offers some magnificent views of Mt. Siniolchu & a very close view of Mt. Kanchandzonga, the world’s third highest peak.

Tso Lhamu is another important lake just 9 kms from Gurudongmar Lake at an altitude of almost 16,500 ft. it is the source of river Tista & also offers beautiful view of surrounding valleys.

Chopta Valley:

Chopta Velley is an unexplored destination of North Sikkim at an altitude of 13,300 ft. During the seson of spring the entire valley blooms with rhododendrons & varieties of orchids.