LACHEN AND LACHUNG (NORTH SIKKIM)

It was a fight between sea shores and the mountain peaks,

It was a fight between sparkling wine and sparkling water,

It was a fight between hullaballoo and an oasis of serenity,

And then Sikkim happened instead of Goa.

As we were debating which place to visit, due to crunch of time, we decided to pay a visit to one of our neighbours in the north east- North Sikkim (Lachen and Lachung in particular). These small little hamlets (LACHEN AND LACHUNG) nestled in North Sikkim offers such panoramic vistas of stunning landscapes and snow covered peaks that you will be left nothing but mesmerized. It is a visual treat for tourists who love to spend time in hill stations.  As one ascends towards these destinations picturesque beauty of alpine meadows and gushing streams of river caressing the scenic landscape will give a facelift to your senses like none other.

MG ROAD, GANGTOK

MG ROAD, GANGTOK

MG ROAD, GANGTOK

Our vocational excursion started with drive from Gangtok to Lachen. The word ‘Lachen’ literally means ‘big pass.’ It is situated in district of North Sikkim at an altitude of 8800ft, almost at a distance of 117 kms from Gangtok. It is a beautiful valley filled with pine and snow. Buddhism as a religion dominates the major chunk of Sikkim and Darjeeling. English, Bengali, Nepalese and Sikkimese are some of the languages prevalent in the district, Nepalese being the dominating one. On the way we caught glimpse of some short and cute waterfalls carving their ways down the valley. Around 7 in the evening we reached the village of Lachen. In morning around 4:00 am, we left for Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world at an altitude of 17,800ft. Visit to this lake is an experience of a lifetime. The beauty of the lake will stun you with its scenic aura and will literally take your breath away, because of thin air at such an altitude.  This lake is considered to be a holy lake by both Buddhists and Sikhs. In fact lake is supposed to be blessed with power of virility and long life :-P :-P

Gurudongmar lake

Gurudongmar Lake

Prayer flags- a part of buddhist culture at Gurudongmar lake

Cairns of wishes- Gurudongmar Lake

Temple dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Dongmar

Frozen part of Gurudongmar Lake

Army Camp (Lachen)- on way to Gurudongmar Lake

Yaks and Yatis

Chopta Valley

Village of Lachen

After driving back to Lachen from Gurudongmar, we left for Lachung around 3:00 pm and reached Lachung around 9:00pm. The rich alpine beauty of Lachung gapes, as one gazes towards the landscape with wide open eyes.

Reminds me of Twilight movie

Zero point

Lal pathar

Wasn't that beautiful.......???