North Sikkim Tourism
The Himalayan state of India, the Sikkim is the jewel in the crown of India with its unmatched and unscathed natural beauty. The mesmerizing scenic beauty of this small state attracts nature-loving tourists from all over the world. The Sikkim is divided into the four districts and every district has its own distinct ambiance, topography, flora and fauna. But, the charm of the North Sikkim is way above than any other part of the Sikkim. With the richness in magnificent mountain ranges, serene lakes, scenic valleys, orchards, quaint villages and beautiful ancient Monasteries, the fascination of the North Sikkim is such that no any tour to the Sikkim can be deemed complete without exploring the regions of the North Sikkim.
The pristine view of the beautiful white snow covered mountain tops, the liveliness of the majestic waterfalls, vivid and colorful landscape, bustling hilly river and long stretched orchard have the spellbinding effect on the visitors. The breathtaking view of Nature and the deep tranquility is what the North Sikkim tourism is known for. The adventure seekers visit here for the trekking and mountaineering in the hilly terrain of the North Sikkim. Also, most sought after honeymoon destination, the various regions of the North Sikkim offers the perfect ambiance for the newly married couple to spend time together and explore the outer beauty as well as the inner beauty of their relationship.
The capital city of the Sikkim, the Gangtok is the base city to start any of the North Sikkim destination trips. The North Sikkim tour includes the breathtakingly beautiful places like Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake, Gurudongmar Lake and others which are the marvels among the hilly terrains of the world. The warm hospitality of the innocent habitats of the quaint villages of the North Sikkim will get you the amazing pleasant feeling. The serenity and peacefulness of the old Monasteries will refresh your mind and let yourself submerge in the calmness of the surroundings. The Mangan, administrative headquarter of the North Sikkim district, is also known as the Cardamom Capital of India and a mesmerizingly beautiful place to explore.
North-Sikkim is the best destination for those who are looking for a natural gateway to spend a few days amidst the pure nature away from the crowded city life. The weather of the North Sikkim is usually frosty cold in the winter season and pleasantly cold during the summer season. The Khangchendzonga National Park and the Shingba Wildlife Sanctuary are the major wildlife attractions in the North Sikkim. The Red Panda which is the state animal of the Sikkim is a native animal of the North region. It is the State Animal of Sikkim. The region is the heaven on Earth for the trekkers and adventure seekers with the hypnotic beauty of raw mountains, valleys and forests. Most tourist places of the North Sikkim are restricted to the Indian citizens only due to the proximity of the India-China border and required permits to visit here.
Below Are The Few Prominent Tourist Destinations In The North Sikkim Region-
Lachen :
One of the most picturesque and peaceful villages of the Sikkim, the Lachen is situated at an altitude of around 8500 ft and approx 107 km from the Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. The innocence and simplicity of the villagers of Lachen are so fascinating as well as the freshness and the calmness of this small town are so alluring to mind which is very hard to find anywhere else. The mesmerizing scenic landscape of the Lachen attracts every kind of tourists, whether they are adventure seekers, honeymoon tourists or nature-loving explorers. Lachen is the base for many North Sikkim treks as well as the access point to the high altitude lakes of India like Guru Dongmar Lake and Tso Lhamu Lake. Also, the Lachen is a prominent pilgrim destination for the people of the Buddhist faith due to the ancient Lachen monastery. This not so populated tourist destination is known for its breathtaking natural beauty with the lush greenery, pristine white snow covered mountain tops, valleys, lakes, apple orchards, a large stretch of alpine cover and the beautiful quaint houses.
Lachung :
The small village of Lachung is a prominent and hotspot tourist destination located in the North Sikkim. The splendid natural beauty of the village and the spectacular waterfalls that graced the region is the prime attraction for the nature-loving tourists. There are various garrulous waterfalls gushing around the Lachung village offering the mesmerizing view of Nature along with the glimpses of the white snow-clad pristine mountain ranges which surround the village make the magnetic view. Tourists make this beautiful village their base while visiting the eminent Yumthang Valley, which is a significant tourist destination in the state of Sikkim. The orchards of apple, apricots and peaches around the village are the pleasurable sight for the visitors. The local market of the village has various different exquisite handcrafted cloths such as blankets, carpets, woolen cloths, etc. along with other souvenirs which you can shop at an extremely reasonable price.
Yumthang Valley :
A mesmerizingly serene place which holds a very significant spot in the Sikkim tourism, the Yumthang valley is the marvel of nature decorated in the Northern region of the Sikkim state. With the dense rhododendron forests and the hot sulfur water spring, the Yumthang valley offers the picturesque view of the hilly terrain. The valley is also known as the valley of flowers due to the large stretch of land filled with the various species of the Rhododendrons. The enormous landscape adorned with the vivid flowers and the beautiful, bustling water of the River Teesta is the paradise for the nature-loving tourists. The valley is located around 140 km from the Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The village of the Lachung is the base destination to visit the Yumthang Valley. On the way to the Yumthang valley, the view of the pristine waterfalls and streams, as well as the magnetic view of the mountain peaks are very soothing to eyes.
Gurudongmar Lake :
Situated at an altitude of around 17100 ft. and at the distance of 190 km from Gangtok, the Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest altitude lakes in the world. It is the second highest lake in the Sikkim after the Cholamu lake. The view of the lake and the landscape around the lake is breathtaking and the tranquil ambiance of the locality brings the immense peace to the mind. The lake is located near the small but scenic village of Lachen and tourists used to make a night stay in the village before visiting this beautiful lake. The nearest village to this lake is Thangu which is also an exquisite tourist destination located at an altitude of 14000 ft. The Gurudongmar Lake has significant religious value among the people of the Buddhist faith. This high altitude lake mostly remains frozen in the winter season so the best time to visit the Gurudongmar lake is during the summer season. Tourists can reach the lake by road from the nearest base station at the Lachen village via Thangu. Visiting the lake is allowed for the Indian tourists, but foreign tourists can also visit after obtaining the special permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
Chungthang :
A small picturesque town situated at the convergence of the two rivers named Lachen River and Lachung River, the Chungthang with the breathtaking landscape is a well-known tourist destination for the nature-loving and adventure-seeking tourists. Also, a religious place for the Buddhist faith, the Chungthang has a legend that says that Guru Padmasambhava visited this village while going to Tibet in the 8th century and he rested on a rock where he left his footprint. Some paddy has grown near the rock which people believe as a miracle as it is quite impossible for the land here to grow Paddy in these environments. As per the legend in the Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place while going to Tibet. There is a pious tree in the village which is believed to be grown in the place where Guru Nanak Dev Ji had put his stick. The Chungthang village is a mesmerizing place with valley, hill, dense greenery, a confluence of rivers and waterfalls along with pristine and serene ambiance.
