Lachung / Yumthang /Zero Point / Katao / Yumesamdong - Heaven on earth is North Sikkim with diversity seen to be believed. Beautiful Lakes, Valley, Hot water spring, Rhododendron forest; Monastery, etc are places to visit. Yumthang and Lachung are in Itinerary and rest of the places can be visited by guest with supplement cost

Lachung - This small settlement is located in the northern part of the state in North Sikkim district and is located at an altitude of nearly 9600 feet. Lachung is a tourist hotspot and a scenic destination. Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water spring is included in the standard package – Katao, Zero Point and Yumesamdong are optional and are available at supplement cost. Lachung and Lachen play a vital role in North Sikkim tourism. It is called as the flower valley, hot springs, glaciers, and the majestic snow covered Himalayas. All these make North Sikkim a heaven in earth. A typical North Sikkim tour starts from Gangtok then via Kabi Lungtsok 23 kilometres, Phodong 40 kilometres, Mangan 67 kilometres, Singhik 72 kilometres, Chungthang 98 kilometres, Lachung 120 kilometres to 143 kilometres away flower valley Yumthang. On the way lies Singhba Rhododendron Sanctuary and Kanchandzonga National Park. Drive to Lachung is exciting as on route are guest can see Kabi Lungchok, Namok, Mangan, Singhik view point, Seven Sisters Water Falls, Naga Water Falls, Chungthang & numerous other waterfalls & mountain streams. Lachung Gompa is one of the most picturesque gompas (Buddhist temples) in Sikkim. It is a short 30 minute walk uphill from the center of the settlement and the amazing backdrop of snow-capped peaks makes this a worthwhile stroll. This place attracts many pilgrims into its fold. This is a very old monastery that was built in the year 1880. There are many murals here that will delight history buffs, and the monastery also sports two wheels.

 Yumthang – There standard package takes care of Lachung stay - Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water Spring - Lachung tour  Yumesamdong, Katao are optional and are available at supplement cost. Yumthang is a village and tours take you from Lachung to Yumthang village. The journey between the two places is breath taking and rhododendron sanctuary and sulphur spring come on the way. The other alternate sightseeing area is Zero Point. Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water spring is included in the standard package – Katao, Zero Point and Yumesamdong are optional and are available at supplement cost.

 

Zero Point - Zero point is the last outpost of civilization. The road ends here. Peaceful valley and is quite windy - there was not much to hear but just stay here for some time to enjoy the beauty. With the majestic mountains and ice around - it was like being the only people in the world. Calm, quiet and a sense of insignificance - time seems to stand still here.... like nothing ever changes.

 

Zero point is where the road ends. There is no road beyond this. There is talk of a road being planned between Gurudongmar Lake and this point.

 

The roads to this place are winding as usual but there are points from where one can see it …. We took pics of those as well as the contrast between the orange shrubs and the White Mountains. In November to March at least Zero point is must see - more beautiful than the valley. People do prefer to come here when it snows and can be traveled to play snow games. Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water spring is included in the standard package – Katao, Zero Point and Yumesamdong are optional and are available at supplement cost.

 

 Katao – Mount Katao is a popular destination near Lachung that lies at a distance of 28 kilometres. Tour to Katao is not included in normal packages and one has to get army permit to visit the region.The tour can be done from Lachung at a supplement cost.Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water Spring is included in the standard package – Katao, Zero Point and Yumesamdong are optional and are available at supplement cost.

 Yumesamdong - Yumesamdong is situated at an altitude of nearly 15300 feet. It is a land of perennial snow and is close to Peoples Republic of China border. Yumesamdong is an hour’s drive of nearly 25 kilometres beyond Yumthang through the rugged mountain road at an area where the sweet fragrance of Azalea / Ezilia fill the region. The plant is used for by the locals as incense. This place is often called as zero point as because beyond this point there is no motor able road and the other side of the mountain lies on the India - Autonomous Region of Tibet border.

 

The valley is grazed by yaks and their nomadic shepherds. The visit is invigorating and words cannot explain the experience of being at Yumesamdong. Yumesamdong is well known for its ice coverings. There standard package takes care of Lachung stay - Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water Spring - Lachung tour  Yumesamdong, Katao are optional and are available at supplement cost. Yumthang is a village and tours take you from Lachung to Yumthang village. The journey between the two places is breath taking and rhododendron sanctuary and sulphur spring come on the way.   The other alternate is Zero Point. Yumthang sightseeing along with the Hot water spring is included in the standard package – Katao, Zero Point and Yumesamdong are optional and are available at supplement cost.