Apurv’s Sikkim Escape with Thrillophilia

Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKDUSKFMEOQ
Rating: ★★★★★
Travellers: Apurv Samaiyar & Partner
Duration: 6 Days | 5 Nights
Destination: Sikkim
Travel Date: 28 November 2023 – 3 December 2023
Package Booked: Highlights of North Sikkim

There is a point on a Sikkim road trip when the usual idea of a holiday disappears. The cafés and city streets are gone, the phone starts losing signal, the roads get narrower, and suddenly you're surrounded by enormous mountains. That was the kind of trip Apurv and his partner found themselves on.

Their six days started in Gangtok but quickly moved towards the wilder side of Sikkim. They crossed river valleys, stopped at Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir, spent nights in Lachen and Lachung, made the long journey to Gurudongmar Lake and eventually found themselves in the landscapes of Yumthang Valley. It was scenic, a little adventurous, and very much about the journey between the destinations too.

Gangtok Was Just the Beginning

The first drive from Siliguri to Gangtok set the tone for the trip. The road followed the Teesta River, with mountain slopes gradually replacing the flatter landscapes around Siliguri. By the time Apurv and his partner reached Gangtok, they were surrounded by winding roads, forests and the cool mountain air.

Their first evening was easygoing. They had time to settle into the hotel before heading out to explore MG Road, one of Gangtok's liveliest spots. It was a nice introduction to the city, with shops, cafés and plenty of places to pick up souvenirs before the more adventurous part of the trip began.

The following day took them towards Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. Tsomgo, also known as Changu Lake, sits high in the mountains and is surrounded by steep slopes. The scenery changes dramatically with the weather, and even the drive to the lake is filled with mountain views. At Baba Mandir, the atmosphere was much quieter, with the shrine surrounded by the Eastern Himalayas. Nathula Pass was also an option for the couple, while Ban Jhakri Falls offered another stop closer to Gangtok.

North Sikkim Turned Up the Adventure

Leaving Gangtok for Lachen was when the trip really changed character. The roads became more remote and the landscape increasingly dramatic. Small waterfalls appeared along the route, while the Teesta and its tributaries kept showing up between the mountains.

They stopped at Chungthang, where the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu rivers meet. It is one of those places that looks almost too simple on a map but becomes memorable when you are actually standing there, surrounded by mountains and rushing water.

By the time they reached Lachen, the pace had slowed considerably. The couple could explore the local market, visit Lachen Monastery or simply enjoy the quiet after a long mountain drive. Compared to Gangtok, everything felt much more remote.

Then came Gurudongmar Lake.

Gurudongmar Lake Was the Big Mountain Moment

The journey to Gurudongmar Lake started early and took Apurv and his partner deep into North Sikkim. At more than 17,000 feet, the lake is among the most accessible lakes in the world. The landscape on the way there is completely different from the greener valleys around Gangtok.

Trees gradually disappear as the road climbs higher. In their place are huge rocky slopes, snow-covered peaks and vast stretches of open terrain. The air gets noticeably thinner, but the views become bigger with every turn.

And then Gurudongmar Lake appears.

The deep blue water, surrounded by rugged mountains and open skies, makes the altitude and long drive feel completely worthwhile. It is the sort of place where you naturally stop talking for a moment and just take in the view.

The return journey brought another highlight. Bhim Nala Waterfalls came crashing down the mountainside in several tiers, creating a dramatic contrast against the rocky landscape. From there, the couple continued towards Lachung, where the surroundings became quieter again.

Yumthang Valley Was a Completely Different Side of Sikkim

The next morning, Apurv and his partner headed towards Yumthang Valley, often called Sikkim's Valley of Flowers. The landscape here felt much more open, with wide valleys surrounded by Himalayan peaks.

The valley is known for its alpine flowers, including primulas and rhododendrons, and the scenery changes considerably depending on the season. After spending so much time around rocky high-altitude landscapes, seeing a valley open up like this made for a completely different experience.

They could also make time for the local hot springs, which are known for their warm waters and naturally occurring minerals. It was a relaxing way to break up what had been several days of long drives and high-altitude sightseeing.

The journey back to Gangtok brought the trip almost full circle. The couple once again passed through the winding mountain roads, but this time they had already seen what lay beyond them.

Thrillophilia Team People Behind the Journey

A big part of making a Sikkim trip comfortable is having reliable people on the ground, especially when the itinerary involves long drives through remote mountain regions. Apurv appreciated having drivers who were knowledgeable about the routes and professional throughout the journey.

Himanshu from Thrillophilia and Manisha from Christmas Tree were also available when the couple had questions or needed help. Their prompt responses helped keep things moving whenever an issue came up.

The hotels themselves were spacious and had the essential amenities, although Apurv felt the standard could have been better matched to the amount paid for the trip. It was the main area where he felt there was room for improvement.

“Overall, the trip went well, and POC from Thrillophilia (Himanshu) and Christmas Tree (Manisha) were helpful and prompt in resolving queries and issues. The drivers assigned were knowledgeable and professional. Hotel rooms were spacious and had essential amenities. Improvement points: Cost factor for hotels provided was a little mismatched. Could have provided a more standard hotel for the price paid for the trip. Overall, a recommended trip.”

For Apurv and his partner, Sikkim turned out to be much more than ticking off famous places. It was the changing landscape between those places that made the journey memorable — from Teesta-side roads and Gangtok evenings to frozen-looking mountain terrain, Gurudongmar's blue waters and the wide valleys of Yumthang. And that is exactly what makes a North Sikkim road trip special: sometimes, the best part is simply seeing what appears around the next bend.

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