Yumthang

After about an hour smooth ride, we arrived at Yumthang, a place with breathtaking sights.

Yamthung Valley encompasses one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in Sikkim, Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

With awe-inspiring snow-capped mountains in the backdrop, calm river flowing, yaks grazing, prayer flags fluttering in the gentle blowing wind, crisp mid morning air caressing my face, perfect weather – wao, I was surely in cloud nine.

Whenever I told friends that I was going trekking, they would ask, ‘Why do you pay to suffer?’ Perhaps now they would ask me, ‘Why do you pay to get caught in the traffic jam?’ That was just a small price to pay, a small inconvenience encountered. Right where I was standing in this wide open wilderness, I had forgotten how I had come thus far to this highly restricted, highly sensitive mystique place called northern Sikkim. The traffic jam, the police check posts and the sometimes-hair-raising journey were furthest away from my mind. I was mesmerised! I was entranced!

Beautiful Scenery at Yumthang

Heading for the hot spring. Not what we expected.
Fortunately, the beautiful scenery on the way
more than made up for the disappointment.






Beema waterfall – photo stop

By now, we were so accustomed to the steep,
rocky / stony, bumpy and winding road – and more ahead.

Some minor hiccup. Fortunately the crew
has the ‘know-how’ to save the day.

It was a long journey back to Gantok. As the crew were fixing the car, it started to drizzle, soon the slight drizzle turned into heavy down pour. By the time we reached Gantok, it was 8:00pm – a long day indeed but a fruitful and worthwhile one.

It was our last night in Sikkim and the following day, we were going to bid farewell to this beautiful and charming state of India and head for Bhutan.