Page 306 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

304  EASTERN INDIA

u A Tour of Northern Sikkim

Northern Sikkim is an area of unspoilt natural beauty,
framed by snowcapped Himalayan peaks. This tour, Tips for Drivers
following the valley of the Teesta river, goes past Length: 149 km (93 miles).
tranquil monasteries and villages, through forests Stopping-off points: The tour
of rhododendron, to Yumthang, where yaks graze in can be done in 2–3 days.
Phodong, Mangan-Singhik and
meadows filled with alpine flowers. Along the way there Lachung are stopping-off points.
are charming rural markets and superb views of the Permits: Visitors require special
world’s third-highest peak, Mount Kanchendzonga. permits for this region, issued
by the Department of Tourism
in Gangtok, (03592) 221 634.
6 Yumthang The Travel is permitted in groups
Lachung-Yumthang road of two or more persons.
crosses rhododendron For more details, see p307.
forests, which bloom Yumthang Chhu
between April and June.
Yumthang, at 3,597 m
(11,800 ft), also has 5 Lachung Just
hot sulphur springs. Sebozung Chhu 15 km (9 miles)
from Tibet, with
which it used to
trade before 1959,
Lachung is a pretty
village on both
banks of the
Lachung river.
4 Mangan-
Singhik This Key
market centre for Tour route
northern Sikkim
attracts local National highway
villagers selling Chungthang Minor road
oranges, apples and
cardamom. There
are breathtaking
views of the
Kanchendzonga
Range from here.
Teesta

Kodyong

2 Phodong This serene monastery, with 260
resident monks, has beautiful murals, woodcarving
and Buddhist images. It was built in 1740 and is one
of the six major monasteries in Sikkim.
Dik Chhu
0 kilometres 5
3 Labrang This
monastery (built 1844), 0 miles 5
4 km (2 miles) from
Phodong, has an unusual
octagonal shape. On the 1 Gangtok Built on a high
track below it are the ridge above the Ranikhola
ruins of Tumlong Palace, river, Gangtok (see p302) is a
the seat of the Chogyals bustling town, at an altitude
in the 19th century. Siliguri of 1,780 m (5,840 ft).

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp697–8 and p711

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