Bhuvana’s Sikkim Trip with Thrillophilia: Exploring Tsomgo Lake and Yumthang Valley
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PNR: BKDNYPSJRZ4
Rating: ★★★★★
Traveller: Bhuvana Ganguly
Trip Duration: 6 Days
Travel Date: 30 Apr 2024 to 05 May 2024
Destination: Sikkim
Some mountain journeys are about reaching a particular summit. Others are about everything that happens between one valley and the next. For Bhuvana Ganguly, six days in Sikkim brought together high-altitude lakes, forested mountain roads, roaring waterfalls and one spectacular valley in North Sikkim.
The journey began in Gangtok and gradually moved deeper into the mountains. There was time to explore the capital, but the real highlights came when the road climbed towards Tsomgo Lake, followed by the long drive to Lachung and the extraordinary landscapes of Yumthang Valley.
By the end of the trip, Bhuvana had experienced several distinct sides of Sikkim. The hotels exceeded her expectations, the mountain scenery kept changing, and two places stood out above everything else.
“Changu Lake and Yumthang Valley were the key highlights of the trip.”
Gangtok Was Their Gateway to the Mountains
The journey began at Bagdogra Airport, from where the road headed towards Gangtok. The drive itself introduced Bhuvana to Sikkim's mountainous character, with the route winding alongside the Teesta River and through the hills.
Once in Gangtok, there was time to settle into the hotel and explore the capital at an easier pace. MG Marg offered an opportunity to walk around the heart of the city, browse local shops and experience the livelier side of Sikkim before the journey moved towards higher altitudes.
But Gangtok was only the beginning. The following stretch would take Bhuvana towards one of Sikkim's most famous high-altitude destinations.
Tsomgo Lake Took Them Higher
The road from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake, also known as Changu Lake, was where the mountain journey truly began to feel different.
Situated at around 3,753 metres above sea level, Tsomgo is a glacial lake surrounded by steep mountain slopes. The higher the road climbed, the more dramatic the landscape became, until the lake appeared against the stark Himalayan terrain.
The atmosphere around Tsomgo changes with the seasons. Snow can cover the surrounding landscape during colder months, while the lake and mountain slopes take on different shades as the weather warms. For Bhuvana, simply reaching the lake and seeing it surrounded by the high mountains became one of the defining moments of the trip.
The excursion also included a visit to the Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, a shrine associated with the Indian Army and located in the high-altitude landscape between Gangtok and the Nathula Pass region. Nathula Pass could also be visited as an optional extension, subject to the required permissions.
After spending time in the high mountains, the road brought Bhuvana back to Gangtok, where a quieter evening offered a chance to rest before heading towards North Sikkim.
The Road to Lachung Was an Experience
The journey from Gangtok to Lachung was more than a transfer. It was a long mountain drive through some of Sikkim's most dramatic scenery.
The North Sikkim Highway winds through valleys and mountain settlements, with waterfalls appearing along the route. Seven Sisters Falls, Naga Falls, Twin Falls and Bhim Nala Waterfall added unexpected bursts of movement to the landscape, with water rushing down the mountainsides beside the road.
Bhim Nala is particularly impressive, with its multi-tiered cascade making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Sikkim. The route also passes through Chungthang, where a sacred rock associated with Guru Padmasambhava adds a spiritual layer to the journey.
By the time Bhuvana reached Lachung, the surroundings had become quieter and more remote. The mountain town, surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and the Lachung Chu River, became the base for the experience she would later remember most vividly.
Yumthang Was the Highlight
The road from Lachung to Yumthang Valley began early, with the sound of yak bells providing an unusually peaceful start to the morning.
Located at around 11,800 feet above sea level, Yumthang is often called the Valley of Flowers of Sikkim. The valley stretches between mountain ranges and is known for its alpine flowers, particularly primulas and rhododendrons, which add colour to the landscape during the blooming season.
For Bhuvana, this was the second major highlight of the trip after Tsomgo Lake. The journey into the valley brought a completely different Himalayan landscape, with wide-open meadows replacing the narrow mountain roads and dense forests encountered earlier.
The experience continued with a visit to the hot springs of Yumthang, which are traditionally believed to have medicinal properties. After spending time exploring the valley, the journey returned to Lachung for lunch and a quieter evening in the mountains.
Why Bhuvana Recommends Thrillophilia
A Sikkim itinerary covering Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Lachung and Yumthang Valley requires careful coordination. The route involves long mountain drives, high-altitude destinations and changing road conditions, making the sequence of transfers and stays an important part of the experience.
Tulsi Priya, Thrillophilia's Destination Expert for the Northeast, played a key role in planning and coordinating Bhuvana's six-day Sikkim holiday. The itinerary connected the more accessible landscapes around Gangtok with the remote beauty of North Sikkim, while the accommodation arrangements gave Bhuvana the comfortable stays she had hoped for.
For her, the trip worked out just right. It brought together the high-altitude beauty of Tsomgo Lake, the waterfalls and mountain roads around Lachung, and the colourful landscapes of Yumthang Valley.
Bhuvana's final verdict was clear.
“We really enjoyed the trip. The hotels where we stayed were all very good and exceeded our expectations.”
And when it came to the landscapes that stayed with her, two places stood above the rest: Changu Lake and Yumthang Valley.
Also Read: Krishna Chaitanya Kondadadi’s 4-Day Adventure with Thrillophilia