The first snow of my life in SIKKIM! #TheFirstOne

For the second day, we hired a bike at 1200/- per day for sightseeing around Gangtok. Start early if you want to cover all the points in time.
We started from Tadong, Gangtok where we got our bike (Himalayan), the sights we visited are:

•Banjhakri Falls: The mind soothing sound of waterfall will make you stay there for a little longer.

•Gonjang monastery: A peaceful and non crowded monastery with a spectacular view of Gangtok.

•Tashi view point: The majestic Mount kanchanjanga can be viewed from here(if you are lucky). The place is totally photogenic and clean. There are small shops offering meals at reliable prices.

•Ganesh tok: this small Ganesh temple takes you a step closer to the nature. One can witness the kanchanjanga from here in it's full glory during sunrise.

•Hanuman tok: It is situated at the highest point in Gangtok city, the road to there is too steep but it's worth the ride.

•Gangtok ropeway: Take a cable car ride here to watch the beautiful hill station, GANGTOK, from a birds eye. The houses and roads built step by step in a hill will definitely increase your excitement.
           Entry feel: 110/-pp (closes at 4:30pm)

•Himalyan Zoological park: The only zoological park in Sikkim which contains the famous Red Panda and the Snow Leopard (unfortunately we couldn't see any Snow Leopard because there was not any). The mount kanchanjanga can be seen from here. Many different Himalayan animals and birds you'll see here which cannot be found anywhere else like the Himalayan Griffon Eagle, porcupine, barking deer and leopard cat.

•Namgyal institute of tibetology: Entry fee is 20/-pp and photography is not allowed... it's a historical museum for the Buddhist religion.
         Entry feel: 20/-pp (no camera allowed)

•Do-drul Chorten: To reach the monastery we had to walk up a very steep road. Take a step towards faith and hope. That's what awaits at the Do-drul chorten.

After a thrilling ride have a rooftop dinner in Mg Marg at the Downtown restro-bar. You can also try the local Single Malt Whiskey from Sikkim Premium, The OLD GOLD(rs60/-).

The first stop was the Baba Harbhajan Singh temple located at an altitude of 13000ft. It's a dream place for snow lovers. The mountains covered in snow will freeze your eyes and melt your hearts. Everywhere you look, its glowing in snow and the fresh air there will blow away all your problems.
Have a cup of tea there in the 'CAFE 13 THOUSAND' and a handful of blessings at baba mandir served by the Indian Army.

After taking blessing from baba mandir..we came to the frozen Changu lake. Although the lake was totally frozen but that was the beauty of it..a completely white frozen lake surrounded by ice caped mountains is a view we cannot just describe in words. It's a sight you will definitely fall in love with. Take a yak ride around the lake or just click a photo with black yak.
We took a cable car ride (ropeway) above Changu lake. The stairs are slippery.. don't fall down! The ropeway shows two different faces of mountains...The calm shinning in sun and the roaring dark weather.
We were lucky enough to witness snowfall there.
While returning back from Changu, the weather changed and it got completely foggy which made the view completely different.
After the unforgettable journey, we came back to Gangtok. For dinner, we went to 'Mehfil' in Mg Marg, where there was live music and great ambience. Again the night was well spent with some whiskey and a great view.

During our visit, Lachen was closed along with Gurudongmar lake. But LACHUNG was still open so we booked a package from local travel agent for 2days 1night at 1800/- pp(meals included).
We started at 9am from Vajra taxi stand. This was a trip of dreams...the views, the roads, the weathers, the rivers everything was soo beautiful and mesmerizing. We stopped at some view point on the way to click photos and have some fresh air. Plastic bottles are not allowed in Lachung.

After the most beautiful 5hr journey we reached LACHUNG, a small beautiful village surrounded by beautiful mountains. Temperature there was -10°c.
After a few minutes of check in at the hotel...it started snowing. Our first ever snowfall experience. The white snowflakes falling in your face. That was a moment we only seen in dreams. We saw the sun setting down just behind the mountains.
After dinner we were offered lemon tea, which was good.
To keep us warm throughout the freezing night, we had some local brandy(rs160/-)and white rum.
Do take some water before sleeping, as all the water in tank freezes in morning.

After a wonderful breakfast with a view, we left for Katao. It is located about 24km from Lachung. There is a spot where we saw  the whole village of Lachung on the way to Katao.
The road to Katao is like a road towards paradise. Snow everywhere on the roads, on the trees, on the mountains. The beautiful Christmas trees you'll see on the way, covered in snow will blow your mind.

Kato is a place located at an altitude 15000 feet completely covered in snow. We saw the spectacular Khanda waterfall in Katao making it's way through the ice. Then we had some rum(rs70/- per 60ml) to keep us warm and energetic.

After lunch in Lachung, we headed back to Gangtok and got in a shared taki to NJP for our train.