So, this was a trip after a year long break from travelling. Anywhere if this sounds poetic , please excuse 😊 I have tried to control my feelings as much as possible 😊
After a break of more than a year from traveling, I stepped out of the house and flew to Sikkim. 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone and the only realization i had in 2020 was, the importance of Freedom.This was more of an emotionally journey , with a heart full of excitement. Home is surely the best place and I love it , but a rebound with the and desired thing is always enticing .There could not have been a better start to the year 2021 than this.
So, to get to Sikkim the nearest airport is the Bagdogra airport (Though Pakyong airport is the nearest to Gangtok with only one airline operating) , located in the city of Siliguri in West Bengal.It is the gateway to famous hill station Darjeeling (West Bengal) , the state of Sikkim , another country Bhutan (Currently borders are closed) and many other places in North Eastern part of India. Usually People just drive
to their next destination and do not intend to stay in Siliguri. But, if your flight or train arrives after 3 or 4 Pm then it is suggested to stay in Siliguri. I would always suggest Pre Planning and booking of taxi for itinerary as some places can be only visited if you have a permit and as per currently you also need to carry a travel card. Siliguri also has a railway station, I.E. NJP (New Jalpaiguri) which is very well connected to other Major Indian Cities through extensive routes.
As my transport was already arranged with all the permits and formalities done, it was a straight drive to Gangtok. The ascend on the mountains was extremely gorgeous, the mountains had their own stories, the Teesta River in the valley flowed along. They say the best word to express is speechless and that says it all. Rebound after an Year is always exciting, whether it be with the person you love, the place you lived before or anything that brings back all the sweet memories which you have saved deep down in your heart.
Sikkim is the town of Rangpo, which borders Sikkim with West Bengal and links highway to Siliguri. The entire journey through curvy & hilly roads, so if you are a prone to motion sickness , keep your precautions ready. It was already dusk by the time i reached Gangtok and resting was the only plan. Usually in hill stations, i have often noticed that around 8PM, the markets are closed and roads start looking empty.
Waking up to a beautiful dawn and looking at the foggy sky from the window was a mesmerizing scene. As the sun rose up in the sky the clouds vanished and the Majestic Kangchenjunga was unveiled. This was the best morning scene i could have ever wished for. A real treat to eyes and the only feeling I had, was being thankful. The majestic Kangchenjunga might have been mentioned numerous times in stories, Blogs , articles etc. But, trust me! no words can do justice to its existence.
Today, the drive was towards Lachung and which can be considered as a base for visiting Yumthang Valley and Zero Point. The climate was crisp to perfect. Distance from Gangtok to Lachung just
100Kms, but with multiple stops on the way the travel time can go upto 9Hours. On this scenic drive, there are some waterfalls with crystal clear water , view points offering clear views of Kangchenjunga Mountain (Only if it is a clean sky and sunny day), views of Teesta River flowing along the valley and small restaurants offering local food. The entire journey is mountainous. Mountains , high in the sky and peaks covered with snow. I reached Lachung in the evening around 7PM and again the plan was just to relax , as next day was going to be a busy day. This night ended with some grooving to Nepali songs, a good experience.
Lachung is a hill station in the north eastern Sikkim at an elevation of about 9600 Feet and is also famous as base for trekkers to Yumthang Valley and Zero Point.
