North Sikkim
 

SINGHIK : The place offers one of the most spectacular and nearest view points to Mount Kangchendzonga and its ranges. You can also have solo view of Mount Janu which perhaps can be viewed only from this place and from part of Nepal. A well-known tourist wayside accommodation for visitors is also available. The area also has a number of interesting short nature trails for 1 to 3 days along the higher ridges of the surrounding hills.

CHUNGTHANG : Chungthang lies on the confluence of two hilly rivers Lachen and Lachung Chu and the starting point of river Teesta has emerged as a major subdivision settlement in North Sikkim. It is the nodal junction for the two passes Lachen and Lachung. The valley is believed to have been blessed by Guru Rimpoche and one can visit the Holy Guru Ihedu to see the foot and palm left behind by the patron saint. The place, rich in Bio-Diversity with a large variety of orchids, plants & wild life, is 95 kms from Gangtok, 23 kms from Lachung, 29 kms from Lachen, and is predominantly a Lepcha region.

Phoodong Monastery : This monastery is located about a kilometre above the North Sikkim Highway about 40-km away from Gangtok. Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal built the monastery sometime in the first quarter of the 18th century.

Lachung : A Bhutia village with a unique local self-governing body called the Zumsa which substitutes the Panchayat. It is located about 25 kms from Yumthang Valley. To get a glimpse of Lachung Monastery you have to come to the opposite slope of the highway.

Lachen : A tourist interesting place in North Sikkim where lies not only the Buddhist monestry, but also the remains of Finish machineries where they came hundreds of years ago to spread Chistianity. Their remains are still found in Lachung. It is also said that the apple plantation has been brought by them in this area.

Yumthang Valley : Some photographs of the natural scenes of Switzerland and Yumthang valley are very hard to distinguish. Yumthang which is at an altitude of 12,000 ft. is situated about 135 km from Gangtok. But the journey there is like travelling in the Garden of Eden. Yumthang is located on a flat valley and is near the tree line, the surrounding mountains seems to kiss the heavens. The route Yumthang from Lachung has a very picturesque landscape and is lined with Rhododendrons and 108 other types of Orchids which bloom in different colours from April to May. "Come as a visitor for a life-time experience." The safari is Ex-Gangtok in the restricted area and hence special permits are required. April and May promise colourful flowers, where as November end to March usually sees snows. Simple village folks spread scarcely admit the virgin landscapes is a food forever. Another peculiar feature of the valley is that, the valley is totally covered with snow during the winter. Hence, while you see the flower bed in summer and snow bed in the winter. A natural hotspring is another attraction of the tourist who are said to have had relief of their skin ailment after having bath there.

Chopta Valley : The Chopta Valley is at an altitude of 13,200 ft. It has breathtaking alpine scenery with lofty snow capped peaks, meandering rivers and alpine flowers that bloom in June-July. It is about 20 minutes drive from Thangu. Gurudongmar Lake is a holy lake at an altitude of over 17,000 ft, it is beyond Chopta and armed with a special permit it is possible to reach the same during a day's excursion ex-Lachen.

Alpine Package Tour : It ( distance : 148 km approx ) will exclusively take you to the carpeted Valley of Flower - Yumthang , at an elevation of 11,800ft , besides covering other parts - Lachung,Lachen , Guru Dogmar Lake , etc .

The Valley is also the home for Shingbha Rhododendron Sanctuary with all species of Rhododendrons. Yumthang's "Tsa-Chu" or the hot spring is immensely popular for its curative properties and healing powers.