Tour Code: M01
[su_dropcap]D[/su_dropcap]zongu is a little-known offbeat hamlet in Sikkim. The home of the Lepchas, Dzongu is quaint, picturesque, and as of now, not on the regular tourist trail. Our Dzongu tour has a little bit of everything – quiet, peace, and the mountains of Sikkim to keep you happy. Join us on this little offbeat tour of India.
You might find yourself in Gangtok, which is worth a visit anyway. Spend some time here, soaking in the city’s unique atmosphere. On the way to Dzongu, you can also see the beauty of Sikkim’s gorgeous mountains at the Tashi viewpoint.
Start your day off with a country breakfast served right in the garden, weather permitting. After that, it’s time to see a monastery. You don’t have to go far in Sikkim to see a monastery. The walk is about 20 minutes and not a difficult one. The monastery, though old and not as grand as those in other areas, has some very interesting and valuable background to it.
Post breakfast take a drive-walk-drive to one of the many fresh water rivers that dot this area. We suggest getting off the vehicle whenever possible and walk as it is the best way to explore this region.
Arrive at ‘Reeng Khola’, a hotspot for butterflies and some wonderful swimming!
We arrange for a picnic lunch cooked at the riverside by the staff. Locals often come here for some bait fishing so chances of landing something are quite good!
In the evening, settle down for a discussion and stories to learn about the beliefs and traditions of the “Rong-Kup”.
Rong-Kup is how the Lepchas refer to themselves and translates to “children of the forest.”
After breakfast day drive/hike to Upper Dzongu through cardamom fields and tiny hamlets. This route follows an old pilgrim road leading to Tholung Monastery. This is one of the best birding walks in the Himalayas to catch glimpses of the Crested Goshawk, Rufous—bellied Niltava, and Himalayan Golden eagle.
We arrive at our stop at the Hot Springs in ‘Lingdem’, a beautiful little hamlet in a cove with a hot sulphur spring that is operational year round!
( Having experienced a massive rockfall in one of the uninhabited areas en route, one now has to make a vehicle transship at a point where a tributary of the river Teesta has been blocked off by a massive landslide creating a natural dam. We take a raft ride to the opposite side where vehicles will be waiting for the onward journey)
Lunch will be cooked and served at one of the various local homes we have tied up with. This provides great incentive for locals to venture into sustainable hospitality.
Evening return to the lodge with some millet beer and a warm cozy bonfire.
After a relaxed breakfast, return for your onward journey to Gangtok / further North Sikkim/ Railway Station/ Airport.
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Trippin Traveller offers customized offbeat and eco-friendly tours. We are based in Bangalore, India. For us, travel is not mere sightseeing, it's a cultural experience. Connect with us for meeting your travel requirements