The Ultimate Guide to a North Sikkim Tour Package

Introduction

Travelling to North Sikkim is truly fulfilling. To help you navigate an amazing vacation experience, here's an ultimate guide to the main attractions in North Sikkim. The spectacular North Sikkim tour package from OurGuest will bring you to the untouched natural surroundings of Sikkim. What sets us apart is our package which includes all the hidden and unexplored places of the region, allowing you to experience the exciting wonders of nature that you can't find anywhere else. 

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Main attractions of North Sikkim

The best way to explore North Sikkim is by personalizing the North Sikkim tour packages. These offer the ideal balance between traveling on your own and guided itineraries and are a great choice for travelers for their first visit to North Sikkim.

Of all the great locations in North Sikkim, Yumthang Valley, Lachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar Lake are the main attractions.

Imagine a partially frozen lake that's surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges at a height of 17,800 feet. That’s the Gurudongmar lake. The surroundings are nothing short of breathtaking, and the lake is serene. One may legitimately refer to it as a paradise in the middle of nothing. The lake is located at a very high altitude, making it difficult for individuals coming from the lowlands to acclimatize to the changing oxygen levels as they ascend. Because of this, practically all journeys to North Sikkim include stops, allowing the body to adjust to the changes as gradually as possible.

The Indian state of Sikkim, which is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is home to Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang Valley.

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Lachen is a small town located in the North Sikkim district, at an altitude of around 2,750 meters above sea level. Due to its breathtaking natural beauty, which includes snow-capped mountains, roaring waterfalls, and clear lakes, it is a well-known tourist attraction. The town is renowned for its colorful culture, which is a special fusion of Tibetan and Nepalese customs.

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KalaPatthar or BlackStone is located at 14,850 ft above sea level. The name of the place is justified by the black rocks on the snow-covered cliff faces. Most travelers go to Gurudongmar Lake from Lachen and miss out on KalaPatthar. 

The best way is to combine Chopta valley with Kala Patthar. It would be a great idea to hike down the beautiful Chopta Valley (Around 4000 meters altitude). The hike downwards through the valley takes about 3 hours starting from the base of Kala Patthar and reaching down to Thangu Village. The hike gives an experience of being in high altitude mountains and feeling it. Chopta Valley is about 26 Kms from Lachen and one has to leave early morning (around 05 am) to reach Thangu Village where one stops for hot tea/coffee and some light breakfast i.e. Jam and Toast and Maggi etc. From Thangu it is about a 35 minutes drive to the base of Kala-Patthar and then that is where the hike downwards begins. Overall it is a beautiful short hike in the high mountains wherein you still need to be in good shape. But what makes the whole experience 5-star are the grand snow-covered mountains all around the valley, the adventurous drive from the bottom to the top and the experience at the top. The views from the top, especially when you are nearing Kala Patthar, are simply amazing - you can see the whole long valley spread out flat at the bottom of a deep bowl of black & white mountains. And then comes the best part - you reach and touch the snow and the mountain peaks you have been seeing from a distance for the last few hours.

 Chopta valley

Lachung, another charming town included in our North Sikkim tour package, is situated around 50 kilometres from Lachen. It is renowned for its apricot trees, apple orchards, and tranquil natural beauty. Lachung is bordered by massive mountains covered with snow, and the Lachung Chu River that runs through the city adds to the visual splendor of the area.

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Yumthang Valley, commonly known as the "Valley of Flowers," is located around 25 kilometers from Lachung. It's a lovely valley known for its thriving meadows, hot springs, and panoramic views of the snow-covered mountains. Yumthang Valley is a well-liked hiking location for nature lovers and adventure seekers and is home to a large diversity of Himalayan flowers.

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Overall, these locations are a must-visit location for anybody wishing to experience the unspoiled magnificence of the Himalayas since they provide a distinctive combination of natural beauty, cultural variety, and adventure activities.

Best time to visit

The ideal months to travel to North Sikkim are from March to June and from mid-October to mid-December. The bright skies and mild weather during these months provide stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains in the area.

From the beginning of March till early April, there will be a fair amount of snowfall especially in Yumesamdong (Zero point) beyond Yumthang and even at Kalapathar, beyond Thangu (above Lachen). So it is more beautiful but also colder and sometimes can be difficult due to lack of oxygen. From mid April to mid June, it is warmer climate and more comfortable for guests. Because of this there are a lot of travellers coming to Sikkim during that time and prices of hotels as well as transport is at its peak.  Rhododendrons and other wildflowers are in full bloom during April and May, adding color to the already stunning environment.

The weather is chilly but clear from October until mid-December, giving visitors fantastic vistas of the Himalayan peaks covered with snow. The Lachung and Lachen Valleys are also at their most stunning during this season, with the hills surrounding them painted in vivid shades of red, yellow, and orange.

It is significant to note that from June to September, North Sikkim sees a fair amount of monsoon rains. Sometimes, this causes landslides and road closures. But for the travellers willing to travel during this time, there is less crowd, cheaper rates and also the acclimatization is easier during this time. 

How to travel to North Sikkim?

As North Sikkim is a remote area, visiting there takes considerable preparation. These are a few ways to go to North Sikkim:

By air: Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, which has good connections to important Indian towns, is the closest airport to North Sikkim. Pakyong Airport  in Sikkim is also open during some months but if it rains it becomes problematic. Hence, best to take the flight to Bagdogra and drive down from there to Gangtok. From Gangtok, you can take a reserved tourist taxi to North Sikkim.

By train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, which has good connections to important Indian cities, is the closest significant railway station to North Sikkim. You can take a private or shared cab from NJP to Gangtok and then continue to North Sikkim.

By road: Most cities in Sikkim and neighboring states are easily accessible from North Sikkim by road. To get to North Sikkim from Gangtok, you may either rent a cab or take a shared taxi. Getting to North Sikkim, however, requires a reliable car and a skilled driver due to the difficult terrain, which includes steep slopes and hairpin curves.

Although North Sikkim is subject to some travel limitations owing to its proximity to the international border, it is advised to use a local travel agent or tour operator who can arrange for transportation, lodging, and permits for the area. Guests need to get their permits made before travelling to North Sikkim and these permits can be arranged by the travel agents. 

Is the North Sikkim tour worth it?

Indeed, North Sikkim is worthwhile to visit for its breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant culture, and unique experiences. For those seeking an unusual vacation experience, it is a stunning and culturally rich destination that is absolutely worth visiting.

You will also receive a great experience in terms of the services and the budget with the North Sikkim tour packages by OurGuest. All arrangements including permits to North Sikkim, good accommodations and good tourist taxis can be arranged by OurGuest.