Adorable Silkroute

Zuluk is the main Point of Interest in Old Silk Route Tour (East-Sikkim). Taste the charm of mountain climate on 10,000 feet . Enjoy the adventurous ride on most curving roads(95 Turnings point) in India. Now days it is fast arising as a new tourist destination. Zuluk creates its tourism undisputed value due to the excellent view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including the Kanchenjunga from here. For this trip to the area requires special restricted area permit(RN/GN Permit). The permit shall be issued by us with necessary documents.During the summer months, the area and its surrounding hills are covered by thousands of blooming rhododendron.


How to Reach

From Gangtok via Ranipool – 92 km, about 4 hours

From NJP / Bagdogra - 140 km about 5.30 hours

From Kalimpong – 95 km, about 4 hours

From Pelling – 150 km, about 7 hours

From Darjeeling – 140 km, about 5 hours


You Should Know Before to Travel Zuluk

1. Do not expect modern facilities out there as this is an economically poor village and people out there are providing Homestay for last few years only. Rooms are standard type, running water, commode in bath room but no TV and Geyser. Hot water will be provided on demand.

2. If you have kids(below 3 years) may be someone having breathing issue I would recommend you not to stay at Gnathang Vally but stay in Zuluk and on the way to Kupup visit Gnathang and move. Alternatively you carry a portable Oxygen cylinder and Oxygen meter as well. In case any serious emergency you will get Indian Army help at most 1.5 Hrs driving interval and they are really supportive.

3. On the way to Gnathang, Kupup , Elephanta, etc. carry chocolate, hot coffee, Popcorn, Ginger cubes etc and some doctor prescribed medicine if any

4. Take good woolen cloths. When we were there at this rout at 9 am in the morning in the first week of Oct 2016 temperature was 3 to 4 degree at Gnathang.

5. Where ever you find Pine forest be sure of leech(jok). So, Walk carefully .

6. Do not think too much just take precautions and enjoy your holiday.

Sight-Seeing around

Zulukis a place which you would visit for the beauty of the mountain and the forests rather than going for typical sightseeing tours. From Zuluk we would highly recommend you to drive further north to visit a number of great attractions. If you have a full day in hand and proper permits, you may visit up to Tsongo lake from here on a day tour. The different tourist attraction on this route is described below.

Thambi View Point

Immediately after crossing Zuluk, your vehicle will start climbing steep mountains. The famous Zig Zag road takes a couple of dozen turns and twists to cover the 14 km distance to Thambi viewpoint. At an altitude of 11,200 ft, it provides an excellent sunrise view. The entire eastern Himalaya can be viewed from this spot including the Kanchenjunga massif. In front of you is the dense virgin forest parts of which have never been reached by a human. Look out for large colorful birds such as Satyr Tragopan or the Himalayan Monal. You can also walk around and try to locate the original silk route. The stone paved road is still intact in many places.

On the way to Thambi viewpoint, you can also stop over to the spot where a group of local people has reportedly seen the Yeti. The story of "Yeti", "Bonzhakri" and other folklore seems very plausible sitting beside the small fire in the night under the open moonlit sky. Listing to those stories from the locals may itself turn out to be a good reason to visit Zuluk.

Lungthung

Little ahead (about 4 km) is Lungthung at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Your steep uphill journey ends here as you will start following the mountain ridges now. A couple of small tea stalls can refresh you before you continue your journey further. Much of the population of Lungthung as well as other villages in the area constitutes of Tibetan migrants who had to flee their country at the time of Chinese invasion. Some old people may still be able to tell you stories of those days if you care enough.

Tukla

About 4 km ahead of Lungthung is Tukla, known for the battle of Tukla. A contingent of British army led by Lt. Col Francis Younghusband invaded Tibet through this route in 1903. They faced fierce resistance from the Tibetan fighters and the battle of Tukla ensued. The Tibetan soldiers suffered heavy loss in the face of British firearms. It is said that close to 2000 Tibetan soldiers lost their lives in this battle. There is a memorial here remembering the British soldiers who fought and fell here.

Nathang Valley

The road bifurcates at Tukla. The road on the left goes to Nathang Valley and the road on your right goes to Old Baba Mandir. Both roads will meet again at a distance of about 7 / 8 km.

The left road will take you to Nathang Valley. The place has come up as an alternative to Zuluk as a tourist overnight destination. However, accommodation options are more limited than in Zuluk. Also as the place is situated at a high altitude, sudden night stay without acclimatization may lead to altitude sickness.

The beautiful Nathang valley is an ideal place for winter snow sports. This is the only place in Sikkim where you can try skiing or snowboarding.

Old Baba Mandir

Your next stop should be the Old Baba Mandir, which you may also visit on your way back. The Old Baba Mandir is less touristic and more authentic. The original Bunker of Baba Harbhajan Singh, dresses, bed, even the writing desk is preserved here. There is a temple in the neighborhood in the name of Baba Harbhajan Singh.

Kupup

About 5 km from the place where the roads from Baba Mandir and Nathang valley meet, you will reach Kupup. If you are hungry, you may grab a few bites in the small eateries here. This place is famous due to several reasons, The Yak Golf course of Indian Army here is said to be the highest in the world (13025 feet, 3970 meter). However, do not expect the usual greenery of a golf course at this altitude. The Kupup lake locally known as Hatisure is shaped like Hati or the elephant. The Younghusbands track that reaches Jelepla also starts near the Golf course. However, the Younghusbands track is out-of-bounds for tourists.

Baba Mandir

Another 5 km from Kupup is the tourist destination of Baba Mandir. You can expect to meet a large number of tourists here who have reached here from the opposite direction, that is Gangtok. Tea and coffee shops, as well as souvenir shops, are available here.

Memenchu Lake

About a kilometer before you reach Baba Mandir on your left you can see the Memenchu Lake. The road to Memenchu originates from Baba Mandir but requires special permission to reach. There is a cottage next to the lake where you may also spend a night with special arrangements.

The road further ahead connects with the famous near. From here start your return journey back to Zuluk.

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