Jorethang
Jorethang is a major town in south Sikkim lying sprawled on the foothills of Himalayas. Below this town, flows the Rangeet River and the hills of Darjeeling dominate the horizon in the south on the opposite side of the river. Altitude of this place is only 300 m therefore; it is blessed with a pleasant temperate climate.
This town lies on the way to Pelling and is well accessed by buses and jeeps. River rafting, trekking and sightseeing trips to nearby destinations are some of the attractions of this town.
The Jorethang Maghe Mela is the biggest and most awaited event of the year in this town. This major event, falling in January, attracts numerous locals and tourists. The Mela that once started as an agricultural fair in Jorethang for the first time in 1955, now holds hundreds of stalls selling various products.
Lachen
Situated at an altitude of 8500 feet Lachen is not yet a big tourist destination but its simplicity is alluring. The place has a very appealing freshness. This small village has less than 200 houses. Earlier it was inhabited only during winters and the villagers used to spend summers with their yaks on the alpine pastures bordering Tibet. The area is restricted for foreigners who need special passes procured in advance. Some lodges are available here to stay. Lachen is the starting point for some interesting treks in North Sikkim and is also the gateway to the Guru Dongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes. The Guru Dongmar lake is situated at a height of 17,800 feet and is one the most sacred lakes of the state. This amazingly beautiful lake remains milky in colour throughout the year. According to a legend, a portion of the lake does not freeze at all even in extreme winters. As per the legend it was touched by Guru Padmasambhava when he visited this place.
Thangu is a small village situated at an altitude of 13,500 ft. It is about two hours drive from Lachen where the visitors usually acclimatize before they proceed to Guru-Dongmar Lake, Muguthang or Cho Lhamu.
Chiwabhanjang Pass
Chiwabhanjang in West Sikkim forms a pass to Nepal and is about three hours walk from Phalut. Chiwabhanjang can also be accessed from Uttrey in Sikkim in about three hours but this trek from Uttrey to Chiwabhanjang is very steep. At Chiwabhanjang, there are two small lakes known as Bhut-Pokaris. Ruins of an inspection bungalow can be seen here which a mute testimony of the British presence here are.
Jorethang is a major town in south Sikkim lying sprawled on the foothills of Himalayas. Below this town, flows the Rangeet River and the hills of Darjeeling dominate the horizon in the south on the opposite side of the river. Altitude of this place is only 300 m therefore; it is blessed with a pleasant temperate climate.
This town lies on the way to Pelling and is well accessed by buses and jeeps. River rafting, trekking and sightseeing trips to nearby destinations are some of the attractions of this town.
The Jorethang Maghe Mela is the biggest and most awaited event of the year in this town. This major event, falling in January, attracts numerous locals and tourists. The Mela that once started as an agricultural fair in Jorethang for the first time in 1955, now holds hundreds of stalls selling various products.
Lachen
Situated at an altitude of 8500 feet Lachen is not yet a big tourist destination but its simplicity is alluring. The place has a very appealing freshness. This small village has less than 200 houses. Earlier it was inhabited only during winters and the villagers used to spend summers with their yaks on the alpine pastures bordering Tibet. The area is restricted for foreigners who need special passes procured in advance. Some lodges are available here to stay. Lachen is the starting point for some interesting treks in North Sikkim and is also the gateway to the Guru Dongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes. The Guru Dongmar lake is situated at a height of 17,800 feet and is one the most sacred lakes of the state. This amazingly beautiful lake remains milky in colour throughout the year. According to a legend, a portion of the lake does not freeze at all even in extreme winters. As per the legend it was touched by Guru Padmasambhava when he visited this place.
Thangu is a small village situated at an altitude of 13,500 ft. It is about two hours drive from Lachen where the visitors usually acclimatize before they proceed to Guru-Dongmar Lake, Muguthang or Cho Lhamu.
Chiwabhanjang Pass
Chiwabhanjang in West Sikkim forms a pass to Nepal and is about three hours walk from Phalut. Chiwabhanjang can also be accessed from Uttrey in Sikkim in about three hours but this trek from Uttrey to Chiwabhanjang is very steep. At Chiwabhanjang, there are two small lakes known as Bhut-Pokaris. Ruins of an inspection bungalow can be seen here which a mute testimony of the British presence here are.