Yumthang Valley – Switzerland of East

About: Yumthang Valley – Switzerland of East

Yumthang Valley is extremely picturesque, popularly known as ‘Valley of Flowers’and is home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, which has over twenty-four species of the rhododendron, the state flower. A tributary of the river Teesta flows past the valley and the town of Lachung, the nearest inhabited centre. Yumthang is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall. The serene and tranquil air can leave the visitor in an enchanted state for weeks.

The Valley has an astounding, over 24 species of Rhododendrons which paint the Valley red in spring. Rhododendrons are shrubs or trees, and different species of Rhododendron cover different large stretches of the Valley. In spring, the Valley looks like a collage of little forests of different colors. The flowering of Rhododendrons is over by May end. During monsoons, starting in June, the Valley blooms with all kinds of tiny Himalayan flowers, like the Primroses, Cinquefoils, Louseworts and Cob

What to wear:In Summer Light Sweater and Rainwear. Woolens in Autum and Winter. Heavy woolen for Jan-Feb

HOW TO REACH:
You may travel from Gangtok to Lachung (the nearest village where accommodation is available) by booking a full vehicle or shared one and stay over night. A direct journey to Yumthang is not feasible as roads are commonly foggy and it becomes dark very early around 5:30 pm. A trip to the Valley takes around two hours from Lachung, which is about 125 km from Gangtok.

Attractions Around Yumthang

Mangan

Mangan : It is the district headquarters of North Sikkim -65 km (From Gangtok ),the Mangan Bazaar is situated on the North Sikkim highway with around fifty odd shops, the picturesque view of mount Siniolchu (a range of mount Khangchendzonga) is also seen. The region is famous for the Phensong and Phodong Monastery, the later being considered one of the six main monasteries of Sikkim.

Lachung

Lachung: It is a small pass at a distance of 117km from Gangtok and at an altitude of 8610 ft above the sea level .It is very small town with scattered settlements, dominated mostly by Bhutias. There is also an army cantonment for the border protection .you can visit monastery handicraft center.

The picturesque mountain village of Lachung, at a height of 8610 ft, embraced by snow capped mountain peaks, breathtaking waterfalls, sparkling streams and apple orchards is the perfect holiday destination. Sprawled across the banks of the Lachung Chu [river] which slices the village in two, Lachung is famous for its apples, peaches and apricots. At Lachung you can visit the Lachung Gompa, built around 1880, the monastery is situated amidst apple orchards across the river from the town centre and visit the handicraft centre which has exquisitely woven rugs and blankets.

The Yumthang chu flows through the Shingba Rhododendron sanctuary- known for its abundance of Rhododendron trees and shrubs. Lachung is perfect for an overnight halt before you visit the spectacular Yumthang valley.

Singhik

Singhik : 4 km from Mangan,from where one can take a glorious view of Mt .Khangchendzonga, and its neighboring peaks. Half an hour walk takes you to an ancient Chunghtang monastery.

Lachen

Lachen : This small town is located at an altitude of 9800 ft, about 123 km from the Gangtok. The journey takes almost 6-hrs drive and it is also a base for the Green lake for most of the mountaineering activities. This new destination of the millennium, only opened on 20th December 2000, for domestic and foreign tourists. Since this is a new destination, the infrastructure is bare minimum and there could be some difficulties but all troubles are compensated by beauty of the place.

Chopta Valley

Chopta Valley : Located at an altitue of 13,200ft. It has breathtaking alpine scenery with lofty snow capped peaks, meandering rivers and alpine flowers that bloom in June-July . It is about 20 minutes drive from Thangu. Gurundongmar Lake is a holy at an altitude of over 17,000 ft, it is beyond Chopta and armed with a special permit it is possible to reach the same during day’s excursion ex- Lachen.

Gurudongmar

Gurudongmar : 27 km from Lachen at 17100 ft. The calm and crystal clear water of the Gurudongmar lake is the largest and probably the highest in Sikkim. This is also one of the sacred lake and many pilgrims visit this place once a year.

Thangu

Thangu : 30 km Beyond Lachen lies Thangu at an altitude of 13000 ft.

Yumeysamdong

Yumeysamdong : The canopy of bushes but we can conjure up an image of what it looked like from Dr. Hooker’s account during his visit and imprisonment here in 1849