A Trip Around the Unexpected- Harsh’s Sikkim Experience
I had never given much thought about leading a life in the mountainous hamlets, until this trip. I probably would have given it a serious shot if the weather was not so unpredictable.
I mean, seriously, how can it rain one minute and then suddenly the clouds disperse and strong rays of sunshine dry up the wet roads in a blink of an eye?
How can it roar thunders one night and then we see one of the most spectacular sights of Mount Kanchenjunga during the sunrise?
That is the only thing that I felt so weird about, but that was also one of the most significant aspects of the beauty of the mountains- its untamed nature.
The day we reached Gangtok, I was truly mesmerised by the scenic surroundings, especially the sights from our hotel room window. We had a long tour to complete, and for that, we required adequate sleep, so we opted for deluxe rooms in all of the places.
But there was one thing that skipped our minds while planning…the remoteness of the places beyond Gangtok.
Getting hot water in that corner of India was a huge deal, almost a blessing because not all hotels have that facility. In the mountains, the facilities and amenities are scarce and difficult to get. So, all the resources are managed sustainably, and divided equally amongst all villagers.
Even in such conditions, the people there live in close-knit communities, which baffled both my partner and me!
Anyway, to get to the point, we had a very happening trip. And this is how it went-
The first stop-Gangtok
It is a challenge, to be honest, to express what we saw there, and how it overwhelmed us.
The roads snaked through the edge of the mountains and the valleys were filled with brave clouds that never thought twice before entering our car through the windows. The places we went to offered impeccable treats to our eyes, hearts, and souls.
The Changu Lake and the Baba Mandir excursions were too good to be true, especially with the fluctuating weather and a considerably mellow sun paired with strong cold winds. But what left us stunned was the journey from Gangtok to Lachen.
It was almost a 7-hour journey.
And we were left speechless by the vistas we encountered. Rivers made their way through the ridges, with towering conifers providing them with shades of comfort and the flanking mountain peaks guarding the sanctity of the area. It was so serene and beautiful that never for a second did we felt tired.
Lachen is a small town where tourists visit the Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world and in India. Crossing boulders and golden grasslands, when we finally reached the lake, we could not take our eyes off it. The surrounding snowy peaks and the pristine water of the lake were not just calming, but also very very special for us.
But I personally liked Lachung better, another hamlet 5 hours from Lachen.
Lachung was warm, very…very picturesque, and the sky-high black mountains whose tops were hardly visible cast a charm over the place. It was a delight touring Yumthang Valley and Zero Point where we even had the chance to play with snow!
However, the weather still kept me in awe.
Second stop- Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a powerhouse of history, tea gardens, lots of food, and antiques.
From Godrick’s to Makaibari, the tea estates here are no less than empires that rule the tea industry. Not just that, the antique shops and curio shops with age-old jewellery and Darjeeling stones melted our hearts with wonder and curiosity. My partner wished to get a few necklaces made of Darjeeling stone from here, so we went to the Mall road for shopping and snacking.
But the options were so many, that we ended up carrying almost two bags of souvenirs and tea pouches. It was lovely, honestly, the ambience was very vibrant and we walked hither and thither having an amazing time.
The memories we made on this trip are very close to our hearts, we not only visited the Ghoom Station (currently the highest train station in India), but also the Ghoom Museum which hosts the memorabilia of Darjeeling Himalayan railways from colonial times, and the Ghoom monastery.
The best part- we could also take a joy ride just in time for us to get to Batasia Loop. That was our next stop and we saw no harm in taking the train ride to the place, although it took us a bit more time than a car ride.
Our visit to the Glenarys for dinner and Keventers for breakfast was surely the best decision we had taken in Darjeeling. The food and desserts there were simply –
A-W-E-S-O-M-E!
Now, to speak of the legendary Tiger Hill Sunset, well, let’s just say that we were lucky enough to spot a clear one.
Third Stop- Kolkata
We had our flight to Mumbai from Kolkata, so we had ample time to savour the sweets there. We did get big containers of Rosogolla and Mishti Doi (I think that is the spelling, confirmed by Google).
But, on the flight, we recalled our food experiences on this trip while returning home, and the taste of the deliciously juicy momos just would not leave our tongues and our minds. I was craving Thukpa and soup throughout the journey from Kolkata to Mumbai.
Fortunately, Mumbai had many shops selling authentic Nepali dishes, so that made out the fourth, and final stop of the trip.
Read More: Thrillophilia Sikkim Reviews