Escape to Lungthung – Silence, Snow, and Serenity Await

Lungthung Diaries

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What To Expect at Lungthung

Lungthung is a serene hamlet which is also referred to as Dhupidhara. It is situated at an altitude of about 11,500 feet, offering a sweeping view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and meandering roads of Zuluk from both sides. The famous Thambi View Point offers a stunning view of the Eastern Himalayas and the majestic Kanchenjunga range is situated just at a distance of 1 km.

You will be enchanted by the sunrise view rising above the majestic Kanchenjunga from the comfort of your room in Lungthung. You can enjoy the extensive view of several hill towns such as Pedong, Kalimpong, Algarah, the sub-Himalayan range of West Bengal & Sikkim, and Lava can be witnessed from the Laxmi Chowk situated nearby. You will get to spot several rare bird species such as Pheasants and Red Pandas in the adjacent forests while getting charmed by the blooming wildflowers, ferns and Rhododendrons.

Best Darjeeling Tour Packages

We present to you with our exclusive and wide range of Darjeeling tour packages which will ensure to offer you a comprehensive experience of this hill station, curled up in the arms of the majestic Himalayas. Our packages typically include a wide range of activities, starting from visiting iconic attractions like Tiger Hill, Tea Gardens, Peace Pagoda or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which will cater to all families, adventure lovers and honeymooners, alike.

Best Time to Visit Lungthung

Lungthung is a serene hamlet and can be enjoyed a visit at any time of the year. You can choose your best season according to the type of experience you are looking forward to. Spring creates opportunities for trekking, photography and sightseeing. Autumns are for some uncrowded visits and serene travels. You can enjoy a snow-covered landscape during the winters. The monsoon limits visibility with limited accessibility and frequent landslides. Thus avoiding the monsoon season is recommended. The best overall recommended time is between the months of April, May. October and early November. You will be offered best access, beauty and comfort during these months.

Weather and Temperature of Lungthung (Season-wise)

Roosted at an elevation of about 11,500 feet, Lungthung experiences changing weather, snow-clad beauty and crisp mountainous air. Below mentioned is the season-wise breakdown of weather and temperature in Lungthung-

Summer (June to August) remains misty and cool with occasional drizzle, offering foggy views and lush greenery. The dramatic skies and floating clouds create a perfect ambience for peaceful stays at the homestays, soft trekking and nature walks. The temperature ranges between 8°C to 18°C.

Monsoon (July to September) remains covered with mist, and the frequent fog and rain reduce the visibility of the surroundings. The temperature ranges between 8°C to 16°C, and is the ideal time for some indoor relaxation and enjoying monsoon magic.

Autumn (October to November) offers crisp mountainous air, breathtaking golden landscapes and clear skies. The temperature ranges between 3°C to 12 °c, which offers the best sunrise view and is the ideal time to enjoy smooth travel around the Old Silk Route and visit the Nathang Valley and Kupup Lake.

Winter (December to February) remains covered with snow. The temperature ranges between 5°C to 5°C, experiences cold weather and icy winds. You can enjoy activities such as snow photography, snow play, stargazing and cosy stays.

Geography and Natural Beauty

Lungthung is a scenic village of East Sikkim nestled at an altitude of 11,500 feet, situated near the famous Old Silk Route. Encompassed by piping meadows, vibrant Rhododendron forests and a breathing view of the majestic Kanchenjunga, this peaceful hamlet presents an unparalleled blend of scenic beauty and robust hilly terrain. You will be mesmerised by the breathtaking view of the famous Zig-zag road and the golden sunrise lighting up the Himalayan sky with the clouds appearing as a sea of cotton.

Attractions and Activities

Lungthung is a scenic beauty adorned gracefully with nature’s bliss, offering soulful solitude and high-altitude adventures. Some of the top attractions to explore and activities to try out in Lungthung are mentioned below-

Attractions

Thambi View Point- This spot offers one of the best sunrise views of East Sikkim, 32 hairpin curves of the famous Zig-Zag road and a sweeping view of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Zig-Zag Road- This road is also referred to as Bhulbhulaiya Road, and its iconic curve along the mountainside makes it perfect for some scenic drives and nature photography.

Old Baba Mandir- It is a venerated shrine which is dedicated to the iconic Baba Harbhajan Singh, encompassed by snow, serenity and local faiths.

Tukla Valley- It is a high-altitude, windy valley highlighting striking terrain and vibrant prayer flags, ideal for solitude seekers and nature photographers.

Activities

Sunrise view from the Thambi View Point- You can enjoy the magical view of the sun rising above the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga, converting the snow-covered witch peaks into stunning shades of pink and gold from this viewpoint.

Serene drives along the Old Silk Route- Commence on an astonishing drive along the charming roads of Lungthung, Kupup, Nathang Valley and Zuluk outlining the famous Old Silk Route.

Winter Photography and Snow Play- Lungthung gets converted into a snowy wonderland in winter, where you can try out fun activities such as snow photography and joyous play sessions in the white carpeted landscapes.

Birdwatching- You can enjoy some time walking along the vibrant stretch of Rhododendron forests and spot exotic Himalayan birds.

Nearby Attractions and places to visit in Lungthung

Nathang Valley- This valley is situated at a distance of 12 km from Lungthung and is often referred to as “Ladakh of East Sikkim”. It is characterised by changing landscapes from snow, gold or green, winding meadows and yak herders.

Padamchen- It is a forested village situated at a distance of 12 km from Lungthung en route to Zuluk, ideally famous for its peaceful mountain ambience, charming waterfalls and cosy homestays.

Gnathang Monastery- This is a high-altitude monastery, nestled in the Nathang Village, presenting a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape and spiritual vibes.

Jelep La Pass- This is an age-old trade pass situated near the border of Indo-China, and it was a part of the Silk Route once. The civilians are not allowed to enter the actual pass, however, the view from the nearby Kupup Army Camp and Kupup is breathtaking.

Yak Golf Course- Perched at an elevation of about 13,000 feet, this high-altitude golf course ranks amongst the highest in the world en route to Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir. The Indian army maintains this scenic photo stop.

Tukla Battle Memorial- This is a must-visit for history lovers, which commemorates the reminisce of the Anglo-Tibetan War with its stone memorial standing charmingly with the Himalayas at its backdrop.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

The meals in Lingthung are hearty and simple and are prepared with utmost love and warmth by the locals with homegrown and organic ingredient,s which are best enjoyed in the chilly weather. Some of the must-try Himalayan and Sikkimese cuisines that you must try here include- Dal Bhat Tarkari, Thukpa, Momo, Phagshapa, Sel Roti and Gundruk Soup.

You will get a detailed insight into the traditional East Sikkim lifestyle and the mountain communities in Lungthung. You can immerse yourself in the following activities and get a glimpse of the rich culture prevailing here-

Homestay Experience- The local families residing here are known to provide warm hospitality and basic but comfortable amenities. You will get to know about the local customs prevailing here by staying at the homestays and get a true taste of the Himalayan lifestyle.

Offering Prayers at the Local Shrines- Discover the roadside shrines and charming Buddhist shrines which are surrounded by colourful prayer flags and butter lamps offered by the locals, and get to know about the spiritual influence prevailing in the region.

Participating in the Seasonal Festivals- You can visit during the local festivals such as Lhabab Düchen or Losar and get the chance to witness the mountain rituals performed with community celebrations and colourful traditional attire.

Participating in the Seasonal Festivals- You can visit during the local festivals such as Lhabab Düchen or Losar and get the chance to witness the mountain rituals performed with community celebrations and colourful traditional attire.

Learning the Traditional Farming Techniques- You can interact with the host family of your homestay and participate in the traditional ways of wild herb collection, animal tending and doing household chores. This is an immersive way of learning more about the traditions and cultures prevailing here.

More Places To Visit Near Lungthung

Accommodations

There are no luxury resorts or hotels in Lungthung, due to its high elevation, however, you will be able to stay comfortably in the cosy mountain-facing rustic homestays here, which offer delicious meals and warm hospitality. You will get to enjoy basic amenities here, such as attached bathrooms, comfortable beds and room heaters. These homestays are run by friendly local families. Some of the recommended homestays here include- Lungthung Homestay, Snow Lion Homestay, Kanchenjunga View Homestay and Eagle’s Nest Homestay.

Homestays in Lungthung

The homestays of Lungthung are known for their traditional Sikkimese hospitality with warm interiors and cosy friendly vibes. You can enjoy breathtaking sunrise view, views of majestic Kanchenjunga range and also Thambi Viewpoint from the balcony of some of the homestays here. You will be provided with clean rooms with attached bathrooms and warm water along with delicious home-cooked meals. Some of the recommended homestays of Lungthung include- Lamakhang Homestay andAlafiia Lungthung Eco Homestay.

Where Is Lungthung

Lungthung is a high-elevation hamlet of East Sikkim in the district of Pakyong, India situated in proximity to Indo-China border along the famous Old Silk Route at an altitude of about 11,500 feet from the sea level. The distance between Lungthung and Gangtok is about 80 km. It is situated near the places such as Thambi View Point, Nathang Valley, Kupup Lake and Zuluk.

You will be enchanted by the sunrise view rising above the majestic Kanchenjunga from the comfort of your room in Lungthung. You can enjoy the extensive view of several hill towns such as Pedong, Kalimpong, Algarah, the sub-Himalayan range of West Bengal & Sikkim, and Lava can be witnessed from the Laxmi Chowk situated nearby. You will get to spot several rare bird species such as Pheasants and Red Pandas in the adjacent forests while getting charmed by the blooming wildflowers, ferns and Rhododendrons.

How To Reach Lungthung

You can reach this high-altitude gem via different transportation modes such as

By Air: The Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is in proximity to Lungthung and is situated at a distance of 140 km. You will need to reach Rongli first from the airport premises in a taxi and get all the required permits, and then you can continue your journey up to Lungthung via Zuluk.

By Train: The New Jalpaiguri railway station is the nearest to Lungthung, which is situated at a distance of 135 km. You can hire a taxi from here and then continue your journey up to Lungthun, covering stops such as Rongli- Padmachen- Zuluk- Lungthung.

By Road-

From Siliguri: The distance between Lungthung and Siliguri is about 130-140 km, and the travel route will include Siliguri- Rangpo- Rorathang- Rongli-Padmachen- Zuluk- Lungthung, which will take you about 6-7 hours to cover via road.

From Darjeeling: The distance between Darjeeling and Lungthung is about 150 km, and the travel route includes Darjeeling- Jorethang- Melli- Rangpo- Rongli- Zuluk-Lungthung which will take you about 6.5-7.5 hours to cover via road.

Pro-Tips while travelling to Lungthung

    Remember to carry ILP (Inner Line Permit), government IDs and passport-sized photos along with you to enter Lungthung.
    Pack multiple layers of clothes, gloves and woollens as due to the high elevation of these places makes it very cold and freezing.
    Remember to download the essential maps in advance, as there is no mobile connectivity in the region.
    There are limited homestays here; thus, book your stay in advance.
    Carry sufficient cash along with you, as there are no ATMs in the region.

Conclusion

Lungthug will enchant you with its unique natural charm, It is the best spot to enjoy a sunrise view above the Kanchenjunga range and the famous scenic charm of the famous zig-zag road. A trip to this Himalayan beauty will refresh you and keep your work anxiety away, along with revitalising your energy.

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