Visit to Gangtok (Part - 4)

[Continued from Visit to Gangtok (Part - 3)] The next day we were all tired from the previous day's journey. So we started late in the morning. As we had no more plans about where to go or what to see we just strolled around the MG Marg and the NH6 - the road on which our hotel was located. We came to know about Yumthang Valley from a travel agent's office. The photos of the place amazed us and in our minds we had decided that our next destination would be Yumthang. After having lunch we came back to our hotel. In the evening we went for shopping at the M.G. Marg, the heart of the city of Gangtok.

MG Marg, Gangtok

The next day morning we started early. We inquired at different travel agencies office to find out the rates of package tour to Yumthang Valley. The rates of the 2 Days/1 Night tour consisting of Lachung and Yumthang Valley were around Rs. 1200-1600. There was another package of 3 Days/2 Nights consisting of visit to Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley along with Lachung and Yumthang. Finally we booked the 2 Day/1 Night tour through Woodland Tours and Travels (the office is at the Woodland Restaurant). That day evening we bought jackets, shoes and other winter clothes from the market as a preparation for our visit to Yumthang Valley.

Seven Sister Waterfalls

The next day we checked out of our hotel and went to Woodland Restaurant. The person at the reception told us to keep our luggage at their hotel and follow a person. Again we found ourselves standing at the N. Sikkim Taxi Stand (near Vajra Cinema Hall). Before the start of our journey we had some problems with the seating arrangements. Somehow we had to adjust the seats and our journey towards Lachung started. According to our tour plan we would reach Lachung and stay there overnight. The next day we would go to Yumthang and then come back to Gangtok.

Naga Falls

Our car's first stop was at the Seven Sister Waterfalls. After that we again started our journey. The sun was shining strongly and we were feeling quite hot. In the afternoon the car stopped at a roadside dhaba. There we had our lunch. Our next stop was at the Naga Falls. It was awesome. The falls was much bigger and better than the other waterfalls which we had seen in this trip. After clicking some photos we set out once more towards Lachung. The road had become narrower and had worsened further. On the way we saw Chungthang, the place where River Teesta starts. Our last stop was at the Bhimnala Falls. Although the water of the falls was falling from a great height, its width was very narrow and it did not leave any impression upon us. At last when we reached Lachung, the sun had already gone down and it was getting dark.

Bhimnala Falls

Our hotel was situated beside Lachung river. We could see and hear the river flowing through the rocks directly from our room. It was an unforgettable experience. After some time, we were served hot tea. It was getting colder outside and the tea was right in time. We were called for dinner at around 8:30 pm. The food was quite good. After having dinner we returned to our room. As we were tired from our journey, we crept on our beds early and went to sleep. In the morning we woke up early at 4 am. The beauty of Lachung in the morning cannot be expressed in words. From the window of our room we could see snow capped mountains, green trees, cascading river and rocks, it seemed as if we were on a paradise on Earth. We quickly got ready and had our breakfast at around 5 am. After that we started our journey towards our ultimate destination, Yumthang Valley.

Lachung

Continued to Visit to Gangtok (Part - 5)

How to Reach :

12363 Kolkata-Haldibari Express departs Kolkata station at 09:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 18:50 hrs. 12343 Darjeeling Mail leaves Sealdah station at 22:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:00 hrs. 12377 Padatik Express leaves Sealdah at 22:55 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 09:05 hrs. Hired cars (Tata Sumo, Mahindra MAXX and Bolero) are available from New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Buses are running from S.N.T. Bus Terminus in Siliguri.

Nearest Airport - Bagdogra Airport

Where to Stay :

New Jalpaiguri
Hotel Miami, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 400, Tel: 9332232897
Hotel Holydon, Tel: (0353) 2691162
Gangtok
Greendale Residence, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 4500-4900, Tel: (03592) 201400
Hotel Babumashai, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 204030
Hotel Himalaya's, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 202842
Hotel Woodland, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1000, Tel: (03592) 203414
Hotel Paradise, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 800, Tel: 9832036610

Places of Interest :

The prime attractions of Gangtok are Ropeway, Rumtek Monastery, Tasi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfalls, Banjhakri Falls, Himalayan Zoological Park and Research Institute of Tibetology. Other attractions include Hanuman Tok, Lhasa Falls, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Enchey Monastery and Ganjong Monastery. There are three excursions from Gangtok - Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) and Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir which can be covered in a one day tour from Gangtok (Rs. 800-1000 per head). Indian Visitors are allowed to visit Nathula Pass on all days except Monday and Tuesday. Another conducted tour is the Yumthang Valley Package. It is a 1 Night 2 days tour (Rs. 1200-1400 per head) consisting of Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You can also go for the Gurudongmar Lake package which is 2 Nights 3 Days (Rs. 2400-2800). The tour consists of Lachen, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You will be required to produce xerox copy of Voter ID Card and two passport photos of each member of your family to the travel agency for permit.

For more information, please contact :

Sikkim Tourist Information Centre
M.G. Marg, Gangtok,
East Sikkim
Tel: (03592) 221634