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To truly feel and see all the diverse attractions of Sikkim, starting a road adventure may be one of the most suitable methods. When you travel along with us for eight days through this place on roads that twist over mountain passes, across green valleys as well as charming villages dotted about here and there – it feels like a land perfectly in tune with nature. We journey from busy streets in Gangtok to calm waters at Gurudongmar Lake; our trip will explore many parts of Sikkim’s beauty during these days together.
The start of your Sikkim adventure is marked by the touchdown at Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal. You will then move forward with a picturesque driving experience to Gangtok, which serves as the capital city for this Indian state. The voyage covers twisty mountainous routes that provide views into what beautiful scenery awaits ahead.
Reach Gangtok by early evening and proceed to your accommodation for check-in. Have a leisurely walk along MG Marg, the well-known pedestrian-only street. This lively place is full of shops, cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy dinner at one of the local eateries, experiencing your initial Sikkimese cuisine here.
Begin your day by going to Tashi Viewpoint for a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. After, return back to Gangtok and have breakfast there before exploring the city’s attractions. Go to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, a place that keeps many ancient things from Tibet and Sikkim. Also, see the Enchey Monastery which is among Gangtok’s first religious locations.
Next, after having lunch, you should go to the Flower Exhibition Center. Here they show a variety of flowers from Sikkim including its well-known orchids. Finish your afternoon at the Handicraft and Handloom Emporium. When it starts getting dark, go to Ganesh Tok for seeing wide views of Gangtok and an amazing sunset scene there too.
Start your journey to Lachung in the morning, stopping at Seven Sisters Waterfall and Mangan for lunch. Visit the Labrang Monastery in Tumlong, where you might see monks performing Cham dance.
Get to Lachung around early evening. This beautiful mountain village, placed at 8,610 feet high, will serve as your home for next two nights. Take a walk around the village and look at its lovely wooden houses while you observe the big mountains with their snowy tips in background. When it is night, you can go out and see the sky full of stars. The Milky Way, a river made of many stars in space, also stretches across the heavens.
Go for a one-day visit to Yumthang Valley, which they also call the ‘Valley of Flowers’, and Zero Point. In Yumthang Valley, have a relaxed stroll along Yumthang Chu (river) while enjoying fresh mountain breeze.
Keep going to Yumesamdong (Zero Point) which is 15,300 feet above sea level. Feel the surreal beauty of this high-altitude desert. For your way back, make a pause at hot springs near Yumthang.
In Lachung, pass the evening by gaining knowledge about local culture. Numerous homestays provide chance to aid in cooking dinner where you can acquire direct involvement with Sikkimese food preparation. Attempt creating momos, which are traditional dumplings frequently found in this area. Back at Lachung, spend this night to understand more about the culture here. You may assist in making dinner at some homestays and have hands-on experience with Sikkimese cooking methods. Try your skills on preparing momos, a well-known type of dumpling that is loved by people from this region.
Post breakfast, start journey towards Lachen. On the way, halt at Chungthang which is where both Lachen and Lachung rivers meet. As per folklore, Guru Padmasambhava blessed this place in 8th century; he was a skilled Buddhist master.
Lachen by early afternoon. It is a peaceful village located at 8,838 feet high. You will use this as your starting point to discover the northern parts of Sikkim. Go for a stroll in Lachen village and appreciate the local style of house building. Visit the Lachen Monastery, offering beautiful views of the surrounding valley.
The evening is used for planning the morning’s early departure and the most exciting part of your trip – going to Gurudongmar Lake.
Begin the trip at a very early time, about 4 AM, for your excursion to Gurudongmar Lake – it is among the highest lakes in this planet. Have a short halt at Thangu village for breakfast and to adjust more.
Once your journey of driving is complete, lasting for around 5-6 hours, you will arrive at Gurudongmar Lake. This lake can be found at a height of 17,800 feet and it shines with clear water which mirrors the snow-covered mountains all around it. You must take some moments to enjoy the peace in air and view this special landscape that appears both beautiful and lonely.
By the afternoon, come back to Lachen. Have rest for some time and recover from the day’s activities. In the evening, enjoy your dinner – you might want to taste some Tibetan special dishes such as thukpa or gyathuk.
Begin your return trip to Gangtok following a relaxed breakfast. While coming down from the lofty elevations of North Sikkim, you will observe the scenery shifting from bare magnificence to green forests and stepped fields.
Take rest in Mangan for lunch. Arrive at Gangtok by late afternoon. In your spare time, explore the city – you may wish to visit the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology if you didn’t do so before, or perhaps take a walk through Ridge Park.
For the final night in Sikkim, go to MG Marg. Do some shopping for gifts and have dinner at a rooftop restaurant while looking out over Gangtok’s sparkling lights, remembering your time in Sikkim.
According to your flight time, in the morning you could have some hours left to enjoy Gangtok’s final touch. You may think about going early morning for a visit at local vegetable and flower market that will provide an insight into daily routine of this place.
After having breakfast, you can start your trip back to Bagdogra. Stop at the Teesta viewpoint for one last chance to take photos of the river valley. When you reach Bagdogra, make sure that there is sufficient time before your flight takes off as this will allow you to bring along memories of snow-covered tops, untouched lakes and bright prayer flags from Sikkim along with those cheerful faces belonging to its people.
This journey by road across Sikkim gives a delightful mix of stunning nature, cultural knowledge and thrilling activity. Each day is filled with fresh excitement – from the lively streets in Gangtok to peaceful banks of Gurudongmar Lake. As you reach back home, your mind will start planning for another trip to this magical Himalayan state.
Ensure you plan well and keep an open attitude, so your road trip via Sikkim becomes a memorable adventure with stunning sceneries, cultural encounters and kind welcoming. Enjoy the experience in this Himalayan heaven!
