Old Silk Route - Gangtok - North Sikkim Tour
Old Silk Route (2N) - Gangtok (3N) - North Sikkim (3N)
This tour will take you to parts of the old silk route that passes through East Sikkim and connects Lhasa, Tibet to Tamluk Port, Bengal. Traders used to use this route as early as the first century AD. In this tour you will visit certain places on the old silk route like Zuluk, Nathang Valley, Kupup Lake etc.
After visiting the old silk route, move to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. The setting of the place is spectacular with the fine views of the Kanchenjunga range. Gangtok is the hub of the tourism industry in Sikkim. The mesmerizing view of Kanchenjunga peak and the natural beauty around is the main attraction of the place. Thousands of tourists throng to the place to enjoy the natural beauty of this place which brings a soothing relief to both the eyes and heart.
In the last leg of the tour, visit North Sikkim, a high altitude region with magnificently beautiful places like Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley. Though North Sikkim has outstanding natural beauty, you need to take adequate preparation and due to the high altitude of these places.
Overview
Major Attractions
Trail of Old Silk Route and North Sikkim in the same plan
Spend a day beside the beautiful Aritar Lake
Visit Zuluk, Nathang Valley, Kupup Lake and old Baba Mandir on the Old Silk Route
- Visit Rumtek Monastery and other spots around Gangtok
Mesmerizing beauty of Gurudongmar lake at 17100 Ft
Explore the valley and flowers of Yumthang and Zero Point
Places to Visit
Route Map
Distance Between Places - Silk Route and North Sikkim
| From - To | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Siliguri – Aritar |
104 |
|
Aritar – Zuluk |
45 |
|
Zuluk – Gangtok |
92 |
|
Gangtok – Lachen |
107 |
|
Lachen – Gurudongmar Lake |
67 |
|
Lachen – Lachung |
47 |
|
Lachung – Yumthang |
26 |
|
Lachung – Gangtok |
103 |
|
Gangtok – Sliguri |
115 |
Itinerary - Silk Route and North Sikkim
From a short visit to a lengthy leisure one – plan your travel that suits you best. Explore various options provided below to chose the best one for you !
These are some of the most popular itineraries suggested by IndiaTravelPage. Chose our recommended plan to explore, or make your own way with a custom travel plan
Aritar
Day 1:
Reach Aritar and look for a home stay. The main attraction of Aritar is the 350 m long Lampokhari Lake surrounded by thick forests. While taking a walk around the lake, visit the Budhha Temple beside the lake. You can also do a small trek to reach the top of the mountain beside the lake. From the top, you will get an impressive view of the lake and also the snow capped Himalayan peaks at a distance.
Day 1:
After you reach Aritar, check in to your home stay. The main attraction of Aritar is the 350 m long Lampokhari Lake surrounded by thick forests. While taking a walk around the lake, visit the Budhha Temple beside the lake. You can also do a small trek to reach the top of the mountain beside the lake. From the top, you will get an impressive view of the lake and also the snow capped Himalayan peaks at a distance.
Day 2:
The entire day is free for you to sit back and relax in this calm and peaceful place.
Zuluk
Day 1:
Reach Zuluk and put up in one of the available home stays. If you have time, walk to Balasura point to watch the sunset.
Next morning, go out for the silk route trail and visit Thambi View point, Laxmi Chowk, Zig Zag point, Gnathang Valley, Kalapokhari Lake, Old Baba Mandir, Tukla valley, Jepepla Pass View, Kupup Village (World’s highest Golf course), Hathi Pokhari Lake, New Baba Mandir and reach Tsangu Lake. After spending some time at Tsangu and having lunch, proceed for Gangtok.
Day 1:
Reach Zuluk and put up in one of the available home stays. If you have time, walk to Balasura point to watch the sunset.
Day 2:
Go out for the silk route trail and visit Thambi View point, Laxmi Chowk, Zig Zag point, Gnathang Valley, Kalapokhari Lake, Old Baba Mandir, Tukla valley, Jepepla Pass View, Kupup Village (World’s highest Golf course), Hathi Pokhari Lake, New Baba Mandir and reach Tsangu Lake. After spending some time at Tsangu and having lunch return back to Zuluk.
Next morning, if you get a clear weather, go for the sunrise point to watch a spectacular sunrise on the majestic Mt Kanchenjunga
Day 1:
Reach Zuluk and put up in one of the available home stays. If you have time, walk to Balasura point to watch the sunset.
Day 2:
Go out for the silk route trail and visit Thambi View point, Laxmi Chowk, Zig Zag point, Gnathang Valley, Kalapokhari Lake, Old Baba Mandir, Tukla valley, Jepepla Pass View, Kupup Village (World’s highest Golf course), Hathi Pokhari Lake, New Baba Mandir and reach Tsangu Lake. After spending some time at Tsangu and having lunch return back to Zuluk.
Day 3:
Next morning, if you get a clear weather, go for the sunrise point to watch a spectacular sunrise on the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga. Rest of the day is free for you to enjoy this small and remote Himalayan village
Gangtok
Day 1:
Reach Gangtok and transfer to the hotel. After getting freshed, if you have some time, go out to the mall and have a walk to get a feel of the place.
Day 2:
You can either hire a car and go to visit Tsangu lake and Baba Mandir, or, you can opt for local Gangtok sight seeing including Rumtek Monastry, Enchey Monstry, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point, Do-drul Chorten and the cable car to see the beautiful Himalayan peaks.
Day 1:
Reach Gangtok and transfer to the hotel. After getting freshed, if you have some time, go out to the mall and have a walk to get a feel of the place.
Day 2:
Hire a car and go to visit the Tsangu Lake and Baba Mandir at a distance of 40 km from Gangtok. Here, you will experience snow for the major part of the year.
Day 3:
Go out for local Gangtok sight seeing including Rumtek Monastry, Enchey Monstry, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point, Do-drul Chorten and the cable car to see the beautiful Himalayan peaks.
Day 1:
Reach Gangtok and transfer to the hotel. After getting freshed, if you have some time, go out to the mall and have a walk to get a feel of the place.
Day 2:
Hire a car and go to visit the Tsangu Lake and Baba Mandir at a distance of 40 km from Gangtok. Here, you will experience snow for the major part of the year.
Day 3:
Go out for local Gangtok sight seeing including Rumtek Monastry, Enchey Monstry, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point, Do-drul Chorten and the cable car to see the beautiful Himalayan peaks.
Day 4:
The day is free for you to relax or explore the nearby places of Institute of Tibetology, Banjhakri Falls, Temi Tea Garden etc.
Explore Lachen (Gurudongmar Lake)
Day 1:
Lachen, at a distance of 125 km from Gangtok and takes approx 7 Hrs to reach. Lachen, at an altitude of 9500 ft is the base for visiting the famous and sacred Gurudongmar Lake. Upon reaching Lachen, move into one of the available home stays. Have an early dinner and go for sleep.
From Lachen, you are recommended to start by 3 AM for Gurudongmar (60 km from Lachen). After a brief halt and breakfast at a small village called Thangu, reach Gurudongmar in approximately 4 to 5 Hrs.
Upon reaching there, you will suddenly feel the lack of oxygen in the air making you exhausted easily. After spending your time, return back to Lachen by lunch time. This route is quite tough for most of the people and it is highly recommended that you listen to all the advises of your car driver.
After returning back to Lachen, have your lunch and then proceed to Lachung if you are also planned to visit Yumthang on the next day.
Explore Lachung (Yumthang)
Day 1:
Lachung, at a distance of 125 km from Gangtok, is the base for your visit to Yumthang Valley, Zero Point and Katao. For going to these places, you have to spend the night at Lachung. Upon reaching there, move into one of the available hotels or home stays. Next morning, start early and reach Yumthang which is 25 km from Lachung. Plan your time accordingly if you are interested to visit Yumesamdong (Zero Point) at a distance of 15 km more from Yumthang. After finishing your visit, come back to Lachung and have lunch. Then proceed for your return journey to Gangtok.
Day 1:
Lachung, at a distance of 125 km from Gangtok, is the base for your visit to Yumthang Valley, Zero Point and Katao. For going to these places, you have to spend the night at Lachung.
Upon reaching Lachung, move into one of the available hotels.
Day 2:
Since you have planned to stay one more day at Lachung, you can include Katao in addition to Yumthang and Zero Point in your travel plan for the day. Start early from Lachung and visit the three places to enjoy snow as well as the beauty of Yumthang. Return back to Lachung before evening for the night stay.
Transportation
Starting point for Silk Route and North Sikkim is New jalpaiguri / Siliguri. You have to reach New Jalpaiguri (train) or Bagdogra (Air) and take a hired car or shared jeep to reach Gangtok. For traveling in Sikkim, its best to hire your own car for the entire journey starting from New Jalpaiguri/Bagdogra. This way, your journey will be comfortable and hassle free. Local transport is not available in plenty with overcrowded shared Jeeps are available at certain intervals for point to point drops.
Important: Silk Route is in East Sikkim region while North Sikkim in in the Northern region of Sikkim. Normally, cars of East Sikkim are not allowed to run in North Sikkim and vice versa. Only cars with Tourist Permit can operate in both. So, if you are planning to hire one car for the entire tour, you have to mention that to the travel agent and select accordingly. Else, you will need one car for covering the Silk Route and then take a new one from Gangtok for North Sikkim.
Contact of some good drivers – Gangtok
TShreing – +91 96791 80999
Wangchu – +91 9933075176
Travel Agents for Car Booking – Gangtok
Sikkim Taxis
+91-8436780362, +91-9932431887
www.sikkimtaxis.com
Mr Tinlay
+91 8972463765
[email protected]
TAMU TOUR AND TREKS
Lalit Gurung: +919832564013 / 9002069916 / 03592-206888
Top Destinations - Sikkim
Popular Tour Plans - Sikkim
4-6 Days
1. Darjeeling-Gangtok (6N/7D)
2. Gangtok-Pelling (5N/6D)
3. Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung (6N/7D)
7-10 Days
1. Darjeeling-Pelling-Gangtok (8N/9D)
2. Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung-Pelling (8N/9D)
3. Aritar-Zuluk-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung (8N/9D)
4. Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Pelling-Gangtok (9N/10D)
5. Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung (9N/10D)
>10 Days
1. Darjeeling-Gangtok-Lachen-Lachung-Pelling (11N/12D)