Alpine Trails: The Mountains Tour
Discover Sikkim’s Mountains
Tour Code: OG1
[su_dropcap size=”4″]E[/su_dropcap]xplore the hidden gems of the high altitude alpine forests of Sikkim. Breathtaking close view of Mt.Kanchendzonga, fragrance of exotic flowers, silence of the sparkling lakes and gurgling of Teesta river makes North Sikkim a destination that no nature lover can afford to miss.
The Alpine Trails tour takes you on an unforgettable tour to the magical mountains of Sikkim (North and East). Landscape changes rapidly on every curve as your road winds upwards and you realize you have arrived in a different world altogether. Experience the culture, embrace the chilly winds, feast on the sumptuous traditional meals and pay homage to the mountains as you tighten your jackets on this roller coaster mountainous tour.
The only place you can go from here is down.
Places covered:
Aritar – Gnathang –Gangtok – Lachung – Yumthang Valley – Dzongu – Bagdogra
Day 1
Bagdogra to Aritar
Arrive into Aritar by late evening after your pick up from the airport/train station
Driving time approx. 4 hours.
Meal Plan: Dinner at the property.
Day 2
Aritar to Gnathang
Post breakfast depart to the higher terrains of Gnathang Valley. The route is made famous by the winding roads of ‘Dzuluk’, also known as ‘The Silk Route’, used for trade between the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim and Tibet. Guests can enjoy Yak rides/ guided walks at Gnathang valley.
Driving time 3 hours.
Meal Plan: All meals at the property
Day 3
Gnathang to Gangtok
If guests are interested, they can enjoy early morning sunrise (4 am) view of the majestic Kanchenjunga and neighboring Bhutan from view point near Gnathang. Enroute to Gangtok, we will also be stopping at the Baba Mandir ((most sacred site of the Army personal) and the beautiful Tsangu Lake.
Meal Plan: Breakfast at Gnathang. Other meals not included.
Day 4
Gangtok
Breakfast at property between 8:00 – 9:00 am and departure for local tour of Gangtok and its surroundings.
Meal Plan: Breakfast at the property. Other meals not included.
Day 5
Gangtok to Lachung
Today, we depart for the northern province of Sikkim to a hamlet called Lachung. Situated at approx. 9000 ft. above sea level, Lachung is the stop point for travels to further reaches of the picturesque high valleys of Sikkim.
Driving time of approx. 6 hrs. with stopover for refreshments en-route. After lunch one is free to explore the village taking some nice walks along the ‘Lachung chu’ river or to higher portions of the village which offer better views of the beautiful wide valley and alpine forests.
Meal Plan: Breakfast at Gangtok. Dinner at Lachung Property.
Day 6
Yumthang – Dzongu
Post early breakfast, depart from Lachung for Yumthang valley. Yumthang is situated at approx.12,000 ft above sea level and is a 2.5 hour drive up via the beautiful Singbha Rhododendron Sanctuary. We recommend stops on the way and taking short walks into the woods via beautifully stone paths laid out as nature trails.
Yumesamdong or ‘Zero’ point as its commonly known, lies further ahead at 14,000 ft. This is closer to the border area and being higher up means more snow!
Due to weather conditions that can sometimes deteriorate in these altitudes, a turnaround by early afternoon is advisable. Return to Lachung for Lunch and proceed onward to Dzongu. Driving time approx. 4 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch at Lachung and dinner at Dzongu
Day 7
Dzongu
Breakfast – Country breakfast served in the garden between 8:00 – 9:00 am
It is best to start the day with a walk to the nearby monastery. The walk is about 20 minutes and not a difficult one. 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 Kyong’, a hotspot for butterflies and some wonderful swimming!
We arrange for a picnic Lunch cooked at the riverside by the staff. A full day’s outing as we cover some interesting spots en route that are closely linked to the culture and history of the region and all tours in Dzongu are guided!
Evening interaction and stories to learn about the local beliefs and traditions.
Meal Plan: All meals included.
Day 7
Bagdogra
After breakfast at Dzongu, we drive down to the plains of Siliguri with the beautiful Teesta River meandering along side. Driving time : 5.5 hours.
Inclusions
– Transportation on AC Toyota Innova/Mahindra Xylo
– Meals as specified in the itineraries (Veg/Non Veg preferences to be specified while booking)
– Extra exciting activities at Gnathang and Dzongu.
– All parking fees and entry fees included.
– All permit fees and taxes included
Email us now at connect@trippintraveller.com for your travel!
