This trip was like going back to find myself. Sikkim is the place where I started exploring and writing travelogue. A place where I found what I love a lot i.e. to travel , to write and to share my story.
The journey started from my own town Ranchi to Kolkata where one of the team member joins us then next train to New Jalpaiguri where another good friend of ours joined us.
DAY 1:
Note: If you are traveling by train New Jalpaiguri is the closest railway station to Gangtok . If you are going by flight, nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport.
We went to the Pre paid taxi counter to book a cab to Gangtok but there were no cabs available then. So instead of talking to agents around us we preferred inquiring at the Information desk outside the NJP Station. The people there were very helpful and sweet, he asked about the number of people and accordingly arranged for an Innova for us. Good part the cabs outside said Rs 5000 for A/C cab whereas they arranged it for total of Rs. 4000/- till the hotel.
This was my second visit and yet again I found this place and the people so welcoming and helpful. So after a little wait the cab arrived and we set off.
By 5:30 pm we reached Gangtok and the best part of reaching there is that the entire city is colored with various flags of countries participating in FIFA 2018.
It was wonderful and I felt like "man ... people here love football and so do I love this place". Flags small and the usual size all hung around on the streets , in front of shops , in every vehicle. Wooh .. this is a totally different world.
Checked in the hotel and then walked to MG Road, most happening shopping and hang out space in the city. A street which is well managed, it's vehicle free and garbage free zone and every citizen is responsible for this place and if you through dirt around, you will have to pay fine for it.
We walked around and met a college friend who belongs to Gangtok after a very long time (perks of traveling).
The best way to know and eat at any city to go around with a local and she was our guide to an authentic Tibetian restaurant 'Taste of Tibet'. The food here is delicious and an the best for non vegetarians.
Stomach full and then we went around and got some good pictures.
DAY 2:
Next day morning at 6:30 am we went to MG Road for walk and also to have breakfast and by 9:00 am we left for Lachen. We had booked a cab for the 3 days and 2 nights trip to north Sikkim It had to be a full day drive with sight seeing and stop by wherever we wanted.
Note: If you are in a group book an entire vehicle and go around as that is easier and more comfortable, you can stop by at places where you want.
Starting from Gangtok we were all excited driving by the valley and the forests. On way we had a fun time singing and taking pictures.
The route if just magical, there are many small and tall, annual and perennial waterfalls on the way. We didn't stop by at seven sisters waterfall as it was all crowded and we didn't find it really appealing.
So moving ahead at higher altitude, we saw more beautiful waterfalls, clouds floating and the lushly grown trees.
As it had been raining every other day in Sikkim so we could see waterfalls in far mountains, it was magical again. We could only see a thin line coming out from somewhere in the middle , all bright white and would disappear somewhere unknown.
The clouds would sometimes cover us and sometimes the mountains, it was mysterious and yet magical. The entire scenery was full of forests, waterfalls, fog and clouds; it was all like we were in Hogwarts.
We stopped first at Lungma Dara, it's just a view point at the valley. Here the view is all about clouds, forests and mountains.
There's nothing very special about this one place as the view is awesome at every point of the road.
Beautiful yet mysterious, fresh yet enthralling, green and hidden. I have few words than what we felt and even the best camera cannot capture few awe-inspiring things of nature.
They are just there to be and we are there to see and capture it in our memories to tell our kids, the stories of these joyful places.
We moved on and when we reached Chungthang, we could feel the weather getting a little cold. this is the place from where the roads diverge from this town, one to Lachen another to Lachung. We stopped by at the top and we could see the Chungthang dam.
We didn't stay there for much just 10 minutes and few pictures but our driver said he'll stop by in good place for us to enjoy the the view of the river and the valley. So as went further ahead we crossed the small town, he pulled the car on one side of the road and said we can have a little time around here.
We realized we were quiet close to the river and we ran down the road and to our amazement this place was all magical and seemed world of fairy tales.
The river which looked white as it was flowing towards us heavily, it was all surrounded by mountains from all the sides, mountains full of lush green forests and clouds covering these forests on the top.
This place was nothing like I could imagine and had never seen in any of the travel stories. Sikkim is all full of surprises and there are so many corners unexplored.
It was cold and it was fresh.
Our next destination had to be Lachen and by dusk we reached there. It is a very small town and the driver took us to a small hotel.
Note: Lachen a small town from where you can visit Gurudungmar Lake and Chopta valley. There are hotels are average but is comfortable and people are welcoming. There are no luxury hotels around but there are home stays as well.
It started drizzling as we reached there and we were tired after that long journey and we were warmly welcomed there with a hot cup of coffee. Even the dinner was simple yet delicious. We had a good sleep and were too excited for the next day.
For the details to our trip to Gurudongmar lake and Yumthang valley check the link below:
https://www.tripoto.com/trip/soulful-sikkim-part-ii-lachen-gurudongmar-lake-lachung-yumthang-valley-gangtok-5b546248ec3ef
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