Zuluk- A Paradise in Sikkim

The Silk Route

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by"

Tired of the hustles and bustles of daily life ?

Looking for an offbeat destination nearby?

Looking for a pocket friendly trip?


 Pack your bags and travel to the small hamlet of mystic Sikkim - Zuluk or Dzuluk .Relatively an emerging and off beat destination in East Sikkim at a height of around 10000 ft ( 3000 m),it provides an excellent view of the Eastern Himalayan Range including the Kanchenjunga.

A view of Mt. Kanchenjunga

How to Reach ?

You can find frequent train or flight services to reach NJP Station / Bagdogra Airport.From here it is about 160 kms, It would approximately take 6 hours and would pass through Rongpo  the entry point of Sikkim.

If you are travelling from Gangtok to Zuluk through Tsongo Lake and Baba Mandir ( Permit Required) or through Pakyong and Lingtham it will take around 4 hours (approximately 90 kms).

For travelers travelling to Zuluk from East Sikkim can travel through Kalimpong visiting through Pedong, Reshi and Aritrar. It will take about 4 hours to reach (approximately 90 kms).

Zuluk- Through a Bird's Eye

Sight Seeing Around?

The first view that comes to the mind of travelers about Zuluk is the historic Zig Zag Silk Route road connecting Tibet to India. The ancient route started from Kalimpong and passed through Pedong, Aritrar, Zuluk, and Jelepla to Chumbi Valley in Tibet.

If you are at Zuluk, you can't miss a ride to Lungthung and Thambi View Point. At a height of 11200 ft is Thambi View Point. Lungthung is located at about 12400 ft and is a one hour ride from Zuluk.It provides a mesmerizing view at sunrise with a very clear view of the famous three-level zig-zag road on one side and a panoramic view of Kanchendzonga on the other side.

The mysterious Zig-Zag Silk Route

Other points of interest include

Tukla Valley
Nathang Valley
Old Baba Mandir
Kupup
Memenchu Lake
Aritrar Lake
Padamchen

Luxmi Chawk/Laxman Chawk

Laxman Chawk- A place enveloped in snow

Permits?

A trip through the high altitude mountains of Sikkim requires special permits. Carry your Id proof and a set of passport size photographs.

Stuck in the Snowy Roads

Best Time to Visit?

Zuluk offers pleasant weather during most of the year. A scenic beauty of Kanchanjunga and both sides of the road  filled with Rhodedondrons would greet you in October to December. It would also be the ideal time for bird lovers and bird photographers as it offers abode to different species of pheasant such as monal pheasant, khaleez pheasant and blood pheasant, and you can also see Asian Emerald Cuckoo,Fire tailed Sunbird,Parrot bill,Crossbill and many other species of Himalayan Birds. If you are lucky you can also spot the Red Panda, the national animal of Sikkim, at this site. The snow cladded mountains with snow on both sides of your road could be enjoyed from December to May. 

A view from Lunghtung

Where to Stay?

Zuluk doesn't offer the facilities of a hotel. But it offers home stay accommodations where guests would be treated with a lovely smile and all basic needs of guests would be well taken care off.

A view of a Homestay Kitchen

A Typical View of a Homestay

This article is contributed by -

Pictures by - 

Dibyendu Debnath

Text by - 

Nishan Saha

By profession both of them are Bankers. But Travel, Photography and interacting with locals are their hobbies.  

Experience the best travel expedition and cherish the memories for lifetime. 

A Trip to the New Darjeeling...Sillery-Gaon

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere,but to go.I travel for travel's sake.The great affair is to move" - Robert Louis Stevenson.

Need a break from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine???Planning a short trip to a sojourn place with your loved ones?

Yaatrikaa recommends you a trip to the small village in the Kalimpong district of the state of
West Bengal - Sillery Gaon. Lovingly called as New Darjeeling by locals it is situated at an altitude of 6000 ft.

How to Reach?

You have to reach NJP Station/Bagdogra Airport.Train and Flight Services are frequent.Then enjoy the greenery and an adventurous motorable road trip from Pedong to reach Sillery Gaon. It will take approximately 3hours 30 minutes (90.1 kms)

Sight Seeing  

Enjoy the heart warming view of the widest range of Mount Kanchenjunga from here and its allied peaks Macchli - Puchhere and from Tinchuley a 360 degree view of the Himalayas.You can't miss the Ramitey View Point which would provide an adventurous 1.5 km trek from Sillery Gaon and also offers the view of the meeting of Teesta river and its 14 tributaries.You can also make a visit to the ancient Sangchen Dorjee Monastry which was built during the Bhutanese rule in Pedong and the ruins of the Damsang Fort built in 1690,the last home of the Lepcha King Gyaho Achuk.

Mount Kanchenjunga from Sillery-Gaon

A Himalayan Portrait

In a clear sky Mount Kanchenjunga can be seen from the balcony of the room. 

A still from the village

View of Mount Kanchenjunga 

Where to Stay?

The uniqueness of the place is that it does not host a hotel. The warm essence of the locals amidst the serene nature offers an unmatched experience.All basic amenities and transport facilities would be well taken care off by us. 

This is an ideal place for bird loveres and bird photographers and you can here the chirping sound of the Himalayan birds every where near the village.

 A Home Stay of the village

When to go- You can go throughout the year. But it is advisable to avoid the rainy season. Winter is the most preferred time for a clear panoramic view of the Mount Kanchenjunga. 

Village Sillery-Gaon

A wooden Home Stay at Sillery-Gaon

Near by attractions -  Rishikhola, Aritar(Sikkim), Pedong, Rikisum, Algarah, Lava, Delo, Echhay Gaon(Wishing Village). 

Way to Sillery-Gaon

This article and pictures are contributed by..

Pictures by-

Dibyendu Debnath

Text by -

Nishan Saha

By profession both of them are Bankers. But Travel, Photography and interacting with locals are their hobbies.  

We recommend a 1N-2D trip at leisure in the lap of nature.. 

For more details to visit and stay contact Yatrikaa or email us itsyatrikaa@gmail.com  or call us @ 7479322223

Experience the best travel expedition and cherish the memories for lifetime. 

Book your trip immediately .