Yumthang – A Valley of Flowers - Paradise on Earth

Air India flight landed at Bagdogra International Air port by 14.45pm. After disembarking, we were greeted by a sudden gust of chill wind, blowing from northern Himalayan range, sweeping across the tarmac towards us, as if welcoming the   visitors from Southern humidity area, heading to the cool mountains for a temporary respite from scorching summer. Our tour   operator had arranged a luxurious vehicle for our onward journey   to Gangtok via Siliguri. Our vehicle cruised through lush green tea estates up to Siliguri. After Siliguri , our cab weaved through vast expanse of green mountains on the one hand coupled with the majestic snow capped Himalayan ranges and River Teesta on the other, make for an ideal vacation setting ,captivating us throughout the trip  to Gangtok.  

We   arrived   at   Gangtok   by 9 pm and checked into our   hotel,   in posh M.G. Road, in the heart of capital city Gangtok. After taking a hot shower and finishing our dinner, we retired for sleep and passed into a deep   slumber    due to the hectic journey of 124 km in mountainous zigzag route. Next   morning   when   we   woke up   , were awestruck when we glanced through the glass   windows   and could locate   the   captivating   snow capped kanhendzonga hills, standing majestically across the mall to our utter amazement. As per tour itinerary first day was for local sightseeing.  We    readied   ourselves   after finishing bath and breakfast. The entire day was packed with local sightseeing expeditions to Rumteck monastery via Tashi view point and other places of tourist importance. Tashi view point, 4 km from Gangtok, offers a breathtaking view of mount Kanchundzonga  and Shivalik hills. Sikkim has a dramatic   landscape   which includes India’s highest mountain peak Kanchundzonga.

We reached Rumtek which is 24 km from Gangtok on the opposite side of the hill by 11.30 AM .The monastery,   is a replica of the original Kagyurpa monastery in Tibet and a testimony to the Buddhist architecture and teachings. The headquarters of Dharma Chakra Religious Centre is situated in this Monastery. The   monastery   is a perfect place to attain mental peace and know about Buddhism. Rumtek monastery includes an exquisite shrine temple and a monastery for monks. We were spellbound at the grandeur and intricate paintings depicting the Buddhist mythological characters of the fabled   monastery.  On our return journey, we visited the Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology. This research centre was founded in 1958 by the then Chogyal,   and has earned a fame of internationally acclaimed centre of Tibetan studies and research. The   Namgyal   Institute houses a vast collection of rare Buddhist scriptures, manuscripts and around 200 Buddhist Icons. A   visit   to Deorali   Orchid   sanctuary, housed with more than 500 rare verities of orchid of different hues and shades, was a feast for the eyes. After a hectic and absorbing local tour, weaving through the serpentine mountainous road in beautiful terrains ,we returned to our hotel in the evening and enjoyed the  cool and charming evening in the M.G.Road  mall and purchased some souvenirs  to carry home .The tour operator has collected copies of our Identity cards and passport size photos to obtain protected area permits (PAP) to facilitate our entry in to the sensitive areas under control of Army -Lachung ,Yumthag valley and Zero point ,bordering  China. 

Next day morning, we stared early for Lachung -125 km away from Gangtok.  Due   to frequent landslides, permits usually issued in the morning after ascertaining the weather and road condition, by the tourism department .The Border Road Organization of the Army keep surveillance over the serpentine mountainous road and promptly attend to any damage caused by the heavy rain and resultant landslides. However our day proved to be a lucky one as the weather condition was ideal for our journey to Lachung on the fabled ancient silk route .During the Mauryan era trade and commerce flourished between Lhasa and middle east Asian countries through Tramralipta port on the bay of Bengal and eastern India through this silk route via Jelep La pass as evident from the writings of Fa Hien and Huendzang . Gangtok was the midway resting place for traders of both sides. Buddhism   reached   its   zenith, in the mid 19th century A.D, in Sikkim under Tibetan influence. However, the Britishers   could drive the Tibetans out, in 1840 and developed Gangtok in to a tourist centre. Sikkim was annexed with Indian union in 16.5.1975 during Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s premiership.   Kazi  Lhendup  Dorjee became the first chief minister of Sikkim . Previously   Sikkim has been ruled by the hereditary kings of chogyal dynasty. Our journey continued on silk route made motorable initially   by   the   British, amidst lush green mountains, beautiful terrains, with milky mountain brooks intermittently streaming down the slopes. After 3 hour’s drive   , we halted at Phodong ,a small town on the cliff of mountainous route for lunch break ,in a road side dhaba run by a local Lepcha .we had a tasty lunch of rice, dal, vegetable and chicken curry with green salad. We   reached   Lachung in the evening, enjoying breath taking views and thrilling drive of seven hours and rested in a Guest House prearranged by the tour operator in Lachung , a pretty little town on the hill side.

Lachung  is a small town situated at the confluence of river Lachin and Lachung ,both  the rivulets are tributaries of river Teesta, which joins  downstream with river Ganga in West Bengal.  We   spent   the night in the guest house amidst murmurs of brooks and streams which are flowing near by the guest house. It was an engaging, tiresome and equally satisfying day. The British explorer Joseph Dalton Hooker has rightly described Lachung as the most picturesque village in Sikkim in his definitive ‘The Himalayan Journal’ in 1855.         After having a sumptuous breakfast, we drove 24 km north to Yumthang   valley, popularly known as valley of Flowers, a nature sanctuary, with brooks, hot springs, yaks in the grazing pasture on grassy meadows in the lap of nature, where one can directly connect with nature. Yumthang valley is a paradise on  earth , away from madding crowd hidden in the  lap of surrounding north Sikkim hills, full of natural wonders and beautiful  flora .Though the trip to yumthang valley is never about  luxury ,but definitely  it is of immense  aesthetical  experience and mental peace,  one gain after being close to nature.  

During the months of February to   May, the valley becomes home to several exotic and rare flowers, with myriad colors like zillion, rhododendrons and so many wild verities.     Rhododrendons are gregarious plants and used to grow in clusters. During spring   season,   the    flowering   rhododrendrons offer an illusory image, as if the forest is on floral fire.  Aptly   the valley is called as valley of flowers, only close second to the valley of north chamoli district, in the state of Uttarakhanda.  After driving  through  the  valley 24 km , we got down at the base camp for upward journey to zero point, near the bank  of Yumthang chu river ,a tributary of Teesta ,which flows through Shingba  Rhododrendron  sanctuary surrounded by rhododrendron trees and shrubs. We   were   mesmerized by the enchanting and spell binding views of the valley, which sits at an elevation of 11800 feet above sea level. Yumthang valley is extremely picturesque with green slopes covered with trees, yaks and ponies grazing in the flower spangled grassy plains and a gurgling river flowing right through the valley.  We     were utterly delighted by the peaceful environs and tranquil air. The   atmosphere though charged with rarefied oxygen, capable and enchanting enough to transport the visitors to an ecstatic world. The visitors   are   fully   captured by the awesome rapture of nature.  Though we  have  cherished   to   climb   up  to zero point ,at an altitude of 15300 feet above sea level ,bordering china ,  but   forestalled due to two reasons –(1)  tourist vehicles  are not allowed to go beyond Yumthang valley ,only local vehicles operate between yumthang valley and zero point and (2) a midday drizzle played spoil sport. With a contended and laden heart full of gratitude to the creator of this beautiful landscape, we returned to our guest house .After finishing our lunch, left for Gangtok .Arrived at our destination hotel in the evening and retired to sleep with the enchanting vibes of Yumthang valley lingering into our dream. A   holiday, in the scenic and beautiful state of SIKKIM, is enough to fulfill all the wishes.