Into the wild…..

It’s Time to chant Nature mantra…………Om Mani Padme Hum….
Practice Generosity
Practice Pure Ethics
Practice Tolerance
Practice Patience
Practice Concentration
Achieve Wisdom!!

In my wanderings in April 2018.. it was Sikkim, brother of seven sisters, bordered by Nepal, Tibet and China situated in the midst of Rhododendron, the proud state national flower and clothed with fascinating Mt. Kangchenjunga and bountiful river Teesta and many things contributing to crown of this state. Its just nature ruling in Sikkim and not the man, that’s why Sikkim is a special state.
This is the first North-Eastern destination me and Saurabh planned together… can say to make our first wedding anniversary special. Our focus was nature and its true essence so we finally chalked down to Sikkim. Last year during this season we visited Switzerland and found nothing beautiful than that; but after visiting Sikkim.. we found out that nature exists here in our motherland in its most glorious form. Gate of mesmerising North East Indian experience opened up for us through Sikkim.

It is a place where sun wakes up at 4:30 a.m. and sleeps at 5:00 p.m. Adding feather to its cap as Hidden Himalayan paradise, land of momos, land of lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, land blessed with rich renowned biodiversity inclusive of flowering plants, species of wild orchids and bamboos, ferns, birds, butterflies, moths etc shedding their endless charm forever. Biodiversity is the life insurance for life itself! I feel many hidden treasures are lost to mankind simply because people are not aware of their presence and hence not able to appreciate them.
Our journey started after landing to Bagdogra airport and from there we headed towards Darjeeling to spend a night. We booked a travel agent NE Taxi for entire trip in advance for an exclusive tour and our companion was Dik Tshring Lepcha.. must say he is a champion of roads. Curvy winding roads going through gorges and valleys, dense forests and north eastern music, Dik made the journey altogether the most comfortable one. And our stay was arranged in Army guest room through one of my close family member Colonel Vikas Gautam and Monika Gautam …Jiju and My loving sister, so everything was systematically organised and to its best. Army guest rooms gave us a new relishing experience and feel of our soldiers lifestyle and commitment.
Our journey began from Darjeeling to Lachen, North Sikkim.
Sikkim people lead an honest, simple and happy life. Throughout the way we can see Buddhist prayer flags flying colourfully touching the souls of every individual passing by it. The lush scenery turns barren as we move further up. Lachen is a quiet small town in North Sikkim filled with lush green vegetation and old wooden homes built on stone bases and decorated with bright, multi-hued window frames constructed in the Tibetan style.

North Sikkim is a home to many beautiful waterfalls like Seven sisters, the Naga falls, the Twin falls and Bhim Nala waterfalls. It is also called Bachchan falls named after the famous Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan owing to its comparison with actor in terms of height. He has shot one of the scenes here at this spot. To visit places in North Sikkim you’ll need to make arrangements a day in advance and submit documents for necessary permits to avoid unnecessary delays. Also do not forget to carry extra photo copies of your ID proof for the permits.

Next day our plan was to visit , Out of the world spectacle, Half Frozen Half Water…Second Highest lake in India, situated at 17,100 ft.. Guru Dongmar lake.. it was a feast to our eyes..Milky valley it is said, as its a sacred lake which has been touched and sanctified by Holy saint Guru Nanak in the past. It is very near to China border and in a high security zone. The beauty of lake can only be felt by bare eyes and I cannot mention here in line to line description. I faced trouble in breathing there due to low oxygen after two hours as soon as I climbed stairs and altitude was dizzying but my health was in control in sometime. Do keep a box of diamox for survival if in case you get trapped into breathing problem.

From there we came to Chopta valley and Thangu valley while returning back to Lachen.
Chopta valley is flat valley with small river surrounded by snow-covered mountains, perfect spot for trekking. We had to go deep down into it to feel the experience.
Next day we headed to Lachung and stayed there. We were late so that day we visited Lachung Monastery, which is one of the Nyingma Buddhist Gompa’s.. Lachung means a ‘small pass’ is at an elevation of about 9600 ft. It is the last village before Indo-Chinese border where Tibetan and Bhutia people still resides.Next morning we had a plan to visit Zero Point and Yumthang valley.
Must say its awesome to be in the middle of rugged snowy mountains with your life partner at your side. The ride to the lake was crazy with some amazing landscapes. And than we landed to the Valley of flowers with dazzling snow, Yumthang valley.

Yumthang is a nature sanctuary with river, hot springs, yaks and grazing pasture on rolling meadows surrounded by Himalayan Mountains. It’s a paradise for nature lovers with a fascinating blend of flora and fauna and breathtaking simple beauty. Countless flowers were blooming to carpet the valley in multicoloured hues of rainbow spreading its charm. We visited Yumthang Hot Spring which was like
Natural spa, known for its therapeutic value and curative powers because it is high in sulphur content and has high healing properties holding at a temperature of about 50 degree celsius. To reach one has to walk a few hundred yards from road and across a pedestrian bridge on Yumthang nala, which is a beautiful way decorated with colorful flags.

Road ends at …Zero Point. It is at an altitude of 15748ft. It is usually covered with snow throughout the year. The temperature here remains near to -10 degree.To keep yourself safe from snow, there are stalls that will provides snow cloths and boots on rent and all lot of food stalls sells, eggs, maggie etc. to eat and keep you warm. It is a magical feeling having hot maggi and sitting in the midst of snow covered mountains with your beloved. I was dancing and playing around with snow with a feeling, if this wonderful moment, could stay longer.

From Lachung we went to Gangtok and stayed there. The journey was spell bounding. On our way from Lachung to Gangtok, we stopped at the Seven Sisters Fall for a while, as it falls about midway to Gangtok. At first we went to Gangtok Ropeway ( A cable car station ),neither it was fun nor adventurous, it could have been better if they could increase its speed and majorly the distance it covers.
Then we headed to Enchey Monastery, must say the most Disciplined and peaceful places in Sikkim are the monasteries,we spent a quiet good time with some monks, listening to their prayers. Saurabh being the follower of Buddhism wanted to explore the unique architecture of monasteries. Our next destination was a beautiful waterfall Ban Jhakri Waterfall,we spent a good quality time with nature and done some adventurous stuff like climbing rocks also.It was very rejuvenating and refreshing.

Our next view point was the Flower exhibition centre or Botanical garden flower show there were lot of different kind of flowers and plants,a flower lover would get a good information about some rare kinds there. Being an Agribusiness professional, it became one of my favorite kind of place. My soul blended with this soft hearted beauty and turned out to be a beautiful bond! Enchanting aroma all around, attired in its most innocent form, perfuming air while blossoming, solving the riddle of life with its pure smile, filled my heart with utmost pleasure.

Then we headed to the next popular place, Hanuman Tok a temple specially dedicated to lord Hanuman maintained by Black Cat Commandos of Indian Army. Opposite to the temple is Himalayan Zoological park and one most important thing about this view point was the view from the temple,everything was looking beautiful as far as your eyes can see. We stayed there for approx 30 to 45 mins and then again we went to another view point that was Tashi view point, perfect view of the snow-covered peaks of Kanchenjunga, Phodong and Labrang monasteries.

The next day plan was Nathu La and without doubt, it is the highlight of our visit to Sikkim. On the way to Nathula, you will come across a place called Thegu which has an ATM. This is the highest altitude ATM in the world. It operates with a generator and a special fuel that does not freeze in such high altitude. We withdrew some amount from that Atm to keep it as a memory.

Nathu La is the last Indian point on the border with China which is only 55 km from Gangtok. The roller coaster drive through some of the most craggy mountain ranges in the world, with very steep slopes, is scary. It is the highest motor-able road in the country. Fog all over ,visibility was very low. Photography is not allowed at mountain pass in Himalyas at 14140 ft. It was a part of ancient silk route. Place affords stunning views of snow capped mountains and white notorious clouds floating around the region. Chinese hold the northern shoulder of the pass while Indian Army had the southern shoulder.The Nathula Pass was re-opened for border trade after a gap of 44 years in 2006. There’s a starking difference between the Chinese and Indian buildings plus the well organised infrastructure. Big Salute to our Indian Army who are performing their duties at such an high altitude mountain without any complaints, where tourist face oxygen problem at 14000 and they do their duties 24×7.  On the way I read somewhere these patriotic lines which I would like to share,

“Inhein naheef na samjho yeh dast-e-ahyan hain
Jo haath hum nein baraye the dosti ke liye
Jo dushmani ke theri tau dushmani he sahi
Chalo! Hum aye hain maidan mein dushmani ke liye
Karenge jung magar aman-o-ashti ke liye”

From Nathula we could see Chinese territory but we were not allowed to click pictures due to security regions. We played with snow and crisp cold winds were blowing at great speed with low lying clouds. Its an awe inspiring experience.
While returning we visited Baba Mandir on the way and Tsomgo lake aka Changu lake where we did Yak ride, a good experience with serene surroundings.

Baba mandir dedicated to Major Harbhajan Singh is worshipped as Hero of Nathula. Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir is a shrine dedicated to the Indian army soldier, who died in the Nathula Pass in 1968.Soldiers believe that his spirit protects them in the inhospitable high altitude terrain of Eastern Himalayas and gives them strength to fight against all odds.

Nearby was Tsongmo lake, also known as the Changu Lake, which is a glacial lake which remains frozen during the winter months, reflects a number of colours off of its surface and is held in esteemed admiration by the locals.

 

On the way back to Gangtok we visited Rumtek and Lingdum Monastery where monks were enjoying reading in their Buddhist Monastic Robes. Prayer flags were whipping on brightly painted pagodas and Lamas were chanting with spinning wheels and one could see very beautiful and intricate Buddhist paintings to appreciate and forever cherish in memories. Rotated prayer wheels is a common and standard feature in ll Buddhist monasteries.

Next stop was; Do Drul Chortan Stupa.. Buddhist Stupa, which can be embarked as classic definition of serenity and calmness surrounded by prayer wheels and thousands of earthen lamps burning for eternal peace. There I read National song of Sikkim, few lines to recollect
“Janha Bagcha Teesta Rangit, Jahan Kanchenjunga seer
Yehi ho hamro dhana ko desh, Tapawan ho pyaro Sikkim”
The best thing about Sikkim other than Nature’s paradise is that it is very clean and people are very hospitable.

We stayed in Gangtok for two nights. Gangtok is a bustling town spread over several mountain ranges. It is a majestic and fast developing urban town showcasing the capsule view of Beautiful Himalayan region. During night we went to Mg Road which is the heart of Gangtok It is full of victorian street lamps and ornated benches which gives a feel of an European street. Kanchenjunga, which at an altitude of 28,169 Ft. Robust range is the third largest peak in the world which is visible from Gangtok.
You must carry Warm clothes and comfortable shoes to walk and of course extra bag or pouch to keep wet clothes for this trip.

Sikkim holds India’s largest production of Cardamom-main source of income for the state. We saw cardamom plantation and farms. To my interest, Sikkim attained the status of fully organic state in the country which converted 75,000 hectares of agricultural land into sustainable cultivation. This is one of the reasons I was always curious to visit the organic state. It is a state that savour fresh fruits and vegetables sitting in the heart of Himalayas. Even we saw some resorts who were marketing and representing themselves as completely organic giving experience to tourists where they can pluck, cook and relish fresh organic food from their kitchen gardens.
Loved the cleanliness of the city and appreciate and respect the people who maintain it.

The sub zero temperature ..the calming morning bliss.. roaring peaks.. sun kissed tree tops..
magnetized with its flora and fauna.. We crazy couple drank with our eyes..
Sikkim defines its own character with a combination of ethnic people and natural beauty contributing into an innocent and decent city life. This is just glimpse of my experience, there is lot more to explore in Sikkim.. its a feeling which cannot be described in words but is still fresh in our minds. If I ever get another chance to visit will come up with a deeper version of Sikkim. Last but definitely not the least….
Awakening at 16,ooo ft with the spiritual shrine’s ,
Feeling of the nature’s essence, was divine.
Inhabitants of the humble, loving and hard-working dwellers!
Have the power to convert travellers into story tellers.
Filled with varied culture and music,
Sikkim visit will always give a kick.
Its a place my heart always beat up,
for adventurous lovers its definitely a wake up.
Home away from Home, I must say,
Tashi Delek.. greetings to you in Sikkimese way..