The Sikkimese often contend that North Sikkim is as beautiful as Switzerland. You may hear it when you get there, or see it repeatedly mentioned in various brochures and guide books. Why? Several decades earlier, a European guest of our late king had passed a remark to that order, and now the legend lives. True to this erstwhile visitor’s remark, many others after him have also reiterated the fact that North Sikkim is indeed truly beautiful.

The journey to the North follows the North Sikkim Highway, an adventurous drive through high hills and deep river valleys that ultimately ends up nin the foothills of the Himalayas where gently meadous overlook snow-clad rocky mountains. The ever –changing views along the way include rustic wayside hamlets surrounded by terraced fields, monasteries, torrential mountain streams with lush green forests everywhere.

Sunrise Point from here you could have a view of Khangchendzonga and other peaks of the Himalaya. One can have an experience of the changes of colour of snow of mountain there.

Is situated on the gentle slope stretching from Kabi to Phodong with perhaps one to the landscapes in the region. The Phensang Monastery under the Nyingmapa Buddhist order, was build in 1721 during the time of Jigme Pawo.the annual festival of Chaam is performed on the 28th and 29th days of the tenth month of Tibetan Colander.

Phodong Monastry belonging to Kargyupa Sect(karmapa), is situated about a kilometer uphill by a jeep able road that bifurcates from the North Sikkim highway a little bit ahead of Phodong towards Mangan. The monastery was built by the Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal somewhere in the first quarter of the eighteenth century.
The main annual Puja (worship) is performed on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar when the religious Chaams or the dances are also performed.

Road is the Labrang Monastry which was built about one hundred years later then Phodong Monastry but belongs to the Nyingmapa sect

A district headquarters of the unexplored North, can be considered as a gateway for the tourists. The Northernmost edges of this district merge into the Tibetan Plateau which ends its uniqueness to this sparsely populated region. In this area one can spot the Tibetan Wild Ass, locally known as Kyang. Like to other states of Sikkim, this district can share the pride of its ancient monasteries, the lush green fields and mountains with blossoming flowers of varied nature..

Singhik is situated four kilometers away from Mangan towards the north. It has few shops on the roadside and a junior high school. The view point lies just on the road side from where is seen a very picturesque view of Mount Sinolchu .Right downwards from the viewpoint is seen the confluence of River Teesta and River Kanaka. Other sorrounding places too look very beautiful from the viewpoint. A nice and clean guesthouse, suitable for a night halt is also available near by.

The North Sikkim highway bifurcates here to take different routes for Lachen and Lachung.. Chunghthang is 30 kilometers away from Mangan further north. It is around 95 kilometers away from Gangtok & 23 kms from Lachung 29 kms from Lachen and it is predominately a Lepcha region.. It is a small town surrounded by high mountains that seem to be almost touching the sky. At an altitude of about 5,200 ft, Chungthang lies at the confluence of the Lachen Chu (Teesta) and the Lachung Chu {“ Chu” means river in bhutia language}.
The village is believed to have been Blessed by the Guru Rimpoche and one can visit the Holy Guru Lhedo to see the foot and palm print left back by the Patron Saint.
There is a small opening in the rock which remains filled with spring water. Adjacent to the rock there is a small stretch of paddy field defying the condition that demands the growth of paddy in this area. and the

It is a Bhutia village with a unique local self-governing body called the Zumsa has emerged as a tourist destination with the soaring popularity of Yumthang Valley which has just 24kms from Lachung. The village spread out on either side of Lachung Chu, has managed to retain its unique culture and tradition. The Lachung Monastery on the slope opposite to the highway is the focal point of all religious function of the local inhabitants.

The sanctuary is bounded on its southern periphery by the Yakchey La and on the northern periphery by the Yumthang Valley known for its alpine meadow and hot springs.
It is hemmed in on the east by the high rugged Chuba-Sagochen mountain ranges and on the west by part of Chomzomei Tso extending upto Lava pass. The picturesque Yumthang Chhu (river) flows through the sanctuary, which is known for its unique abundance of Rhododendron trees and shrubs, 40 species/varieties of which are recorded from Sikkim alone.
Rhododendron nevium the State Tree occurs only in this sanctuary which is also rich in ground flora such as primulas, potentillas, gentians, saxifrages, poppies and aconites. Brown Trout were introduced into Yumthang Chhu at Phunyi in 1978 and have been flourishing since. Lachung is the last frontier village before reaching the sanctuary.

The natural Hot Springs known as Tsa-Chu in the local language on the left bank of Lachung Chu is a popular spot for its curative properties and healing power in Yumthang.

At 24 kms from Lachung lies Yumthang, the rightfully called the Valley of Flowers as in Flowering season there blossoms vivid colours of variety of Rhododendrons, chimals and blue poppies. Yumthang is located on a flat valley and is near the tree line, the surrounding mountains seems to kiss the heavens. The journey from Lachung to Yumthang has a very picturesque landscape and is lined with Rhododendrons & 108 other types of Orchids which bloom in different colours from April to May. "Come as a visitor for a life-time experience." April and May promises colourful flowers, where as November end to March usually sees snows. Simple village folks spread scarcely admit the virgin landscapes is a food forever. Another peculiar feature of the valley is that, the valley totally covered with snow during the winter. Hence, while you see the flower bed in summer, you see snow bed in the winter.
The visit is on the passing of Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Yumthang valley is a mesmerizing scene with yaks grazing on flower - carpeted meadows against a backdrop of towering peaks. It has breathtaking views where one can become a part of a timeless scene without any kind of intrusion.

23 kms ahead of Yumthang at an altitude of 15300 ft where the sweet fragrance of Ezilia (used as incense) permeates the air.

23 kms ahead of Yumthang at an altitude of 15300 ft where the sweet fragrance of Ezilia (used as incense) permeates the air.

Lachung's sister village, Lachen is only a recent host to tourists. Situated at an altitude of 9000 ft. and a good six hours drive from Gangtok along the North Sikkim Highway, Lachen stand on a grassy and bush flat from the periphery of which rise the pine clad mountains with there snowy peaks and black cliffs. The village comprises of barley 150 houses earlier inhabitant only in winters by there owner who spend the summer on the alpine pasture along the Tibet border tending to there flock of yaks.

The route continues from Lachen to gradual ascend of 28 kms through the mountain ridge leads to Thangu. Its alpine meadows are dotted with wooden houses and army camps. The calm water of Teesta flowing through the valley presents a fantastic contrast.
It is situated at an altitude of 8000 to 14000 ft. This Hidden Paradise offers its visitor breathtaking scenic view of high snowcapped mountains, clear blue lakes, cascading waterfalls, meandering rivers and Alpine environment.

At an altitude of over 17200ft close to the Tibet border lays Gurudongmar - one of the most sacred and pristine lakes in Sikkim. Vast plateau that crosses the Indo-Tibet border, green grassy field criss-crossed by thousands of snaky glacier fed streams with perennial snow covered slops that rises from it mark the landscape of the region.It is considered as one of the sacred lakes both by the Hindus and the Buddhist. The lake remains milky in colour through out and it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava had touched the lake whilst he visited. Tibet from this area.

Further ahead 9 kms of Gurudongmar Lake is Tso Lhamu Lake at an altitude of 16730 ft is on the plateau that project into Sikkim. The Teesta River takes birth from this moderately sized lake. The water in this lake flirts with ice before getting frozen in winter. The beauty of the Tso Lhamu Lake doubles by the reflection of the surrounding mountains.