Ride the Road Less Taken – Explore the Himalayan Silk Route

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What To Expect at Silk Route

Discover the charms of the Himalayan trail in the Silk Route of East Sikkim encompassed by ancient history, snow-laden valleys and meandering roads.

Travelling along the Silk Route is a visual bliss meandering from serpentine roads, stunning Himalayan vistas, age-old trade history and drastic shift in the altitude. The sky here changes at every mile and you will be greeted warmly by glacial lakes, scenic villages and high passes. You can expect absolute peace and simple mountain life on the Silk Route starting from the popular serpentine bend of Zuluk and the serenity of the Nathang Valley.

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.

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Mystic Blessings: Eastern Himalayas Pilgrimage Tour
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Best Time to Visit the Silk Route

The Silk Route is an enchanting drive route of East Sikkim which can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Each season of Silk Route will bring you unique experiences. The best recommended time to explore the mystic charm of the Silk Route is between March to May, and September- November. The weather remains ideal for enjoying smooth travel and clear views of the majestic Kanchenjunga. The crisp, clear skies create an ideal ambience for high-altitude stays, cultural explorations and road trips. You can also try out adventurous treks and nature photography during this time.

Weather and Temperature of the Silk Route (Season-wise)

The vast difference in altitude of the East Sikkim ranges from 5000- 13,000, creating a seasonally vivid and diverse climate of the region. Here is a breakdown of Silk Route’s weather and temperature-

Summer (June to Early July) remains cloudy and mild, offering increased humidity. The temperature ranges between 8°C to 18°C, making the valleys luxuriant and emerald green; however, the pre-monsoon showers may limit your travels.

Monsoon (Mid-July to Early September) faces landslides, frequent fogs and heavy rainfall with temperatures ranging between 10°C to 16°C. Many routes become inaccessible and risky because of heavy rain.

Autumn (mid-September to November) is dry, featuring crisp mountain air and clear skies. The temperature ranges from 3°C to 14°C, providing golden grasslands and breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga, creating ideal conditions for enjoying road trips.

Winter (December to February) remains extremely chilly with the occurrence of heavy snowfall in the Tukla, Nathang, Kupup and Zuluk regions. The temperature ranges between -10°C to 5°C creating magical vistas, frozen lakes and snow-laden landscapes. It is advisable to travel with local drivers and proper gear as heavy snowfall can cause the closing of some routes.

Geography and Natural Beauty

The breathtaking Silk Route coils around the lap of the Eastern Himalayas in East Sikkim, soaring from the luxuriant valleys of Aritar and Rongli perching approximately 5,000 feet to the high-altitude beauties of Kupup and Nathang Valley located at 13,000 feet. This striking elevation difference creates a stunning difference in the panorama making an optically splendid and ever-changing journey. The Silk Route is a graphic needlework of the Himalayas offering glacial lakes, windy plateaus, snow-laden slopes and lush Rhodendron and Pine forests. You will be mesmerised by the breathtaking views of snow-covered Mt. Kanchenjunga on sunny days and blooming hillsides with rhododendrons and wildflowers during the spring season.

Attractions and Activities

Some attractions to explore near the Silk Route and activities to try out here include-

Attractions

Thambi Viewpoint—This viewpoint being perched at about 11, 200 feet offers the best sunrise view rising above the breathtaking snow-clad Mt. Kanchenjunga. You can visit this spot early in the morning to capture some stunning photos.

Nathang Valley- This stunning high-altitude valley is barren but captivating, mesmerising its spectators with eye-catching snow-covered views, especially in winter. It is a must-visit place for peace seekers under the open sky.

Kupup Lake- It is an elephant-shaped glacial lake which is considered to be sacred by the locals. Its proximity to the Indo-China border and the world’s highest golf course adds to its charm.

Tukla Valley & War Memorial- This serene valley has high historical relevance, honouring soldiers amidst a snow-covered landscape. This is a less crowded place often preferred by solitude seekers.

Activities

Photography & Scenic Drives- You can enjoy nature photography here by capturing the breathtaking beauty of the ever-evolving Himalayas, snow-laden landscapes and colourful prayer flags.

High-Altitude Stargazing- You can try out stargazing at high-altitude places such as the Nathang Valley under the clear, crystal skies and make your trip a memorable one.

Village Walks & Trekking- You can explore the nearby viewpoints or lush forests with the help of a guide or enjoy short treks in the easy trails of Rolep, Aritar and Rongli.

Nature Spotting & Birdwatching- The entire Silk Route is a paradise for the bird-lovers where you can spot many exotic bird and animal specials such as Blood Pheasants, Red Pandas and Monals.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

The simple and delectable cuisine of the Silk Route reflects the flavours of Sikkimese hills and is influenced by the traditions of Lepcha, Tibetan and Nepali communities. The meals here are warm, hearty and nourishing, which are perfect to enjoy in the cold weather of the high-altitude terrains. Some of the recommended dishes to try out here include- Dal Bhat Tarkari, Thukpa, Momo, Churpi with Ningro, Aloo Dum & Sel Roti and Tongba.

Nearby Attractions and places to visit on the Silk Route:

Mangkhim Temple- It is a pilgrimage site of the locals belonging to the Rai community, situated on a summit near Mankhim, offering charming views of the surrounding hills and the Aritar Lake.

Dzuluk Loop Road- This popular serpentine road is also known as Zig-Zag road, which is a visual wonder offering 3 aairpin bends. You will get to view this road perfectly from the Lungthung Viewpoint or Thambi.

Rolep- It is a scenic hamlet in proximity to Rongli with scenic views, comfortable homestays amidst cardamom forests, river valleys and a hanging footbridge. It is an ideal place to immerse oneself in rustic village life.

Rongli Bazaar- It is a popular industrial hub of East Sikkim and is also the centre of getting a permit to enter the Silk Route. You can shop for some last-minute essentials from this spot.

Exploring the Ancient Monasteries- Visiting the mystic monasteries such as Lava Monastery and Aritar Gompa and attending their prayer sessions amidst prayer wheels and flags will allow you to witness age-old Buddhist rituals.

Taking Part in Prayer Ceremonies- You will get to witness the Himalayan spirituality by participating in the festive rituals of the locals marked by incense offerings and early morning prayers of the monks.

Listen to Folklores and Legends- The elderly people living in the region are eager to share their stories of soldiers, monks and traders who travelled across this beautiful path once. These historical legends and folklore enliven the mystic charm of the Silk Route.

Exploring the Traditional Crafts and Attire- You will get the opportunity to witness the locals wearing colourful traditional Bhutia and Lepcha dresses if you pass through this route at the time of festivals in the nearby villages. You can also explore the simple crafts of the locals, such as handmade souvenirs, bamboo work and wool weaving.

More Places To Visit Near Silk Route

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Singtam: The Riverside Heart of East Sikkim

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Rangpo: Gateway to Sikkim, Where Rivers Meet Hills

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Bunkulung: The Riverside Retreat of North Bengal’s Hills

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Varsey: A Symphony of Rhododendron Blossoms

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Charkhole: Whispers of the Mystic Pines

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Lolegaon: A Dreamscape Wrapped in Mist

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Accommodations

You can mostly stay at the locally run homestays along the Silk Road. The stays here offer incredible views of the Himalayas, warm hospitality, and basic comfort. Some of the popular and comfortable stay options in Silk Route include- Rongli Star Homestay, Lake View Homestay, Aritar, Zuluk Snow Lion Homestay, Eagle’s Nest Homestay, Dafter Bungalow Homestay, Sonam Homestay and Icy Heights Homestay.

Homestays in Silk Route

The entire Silk Route is speckled with warm, simple and home like homestays starting from Lungthung to Zuluk or Nimachen, Gnathang or Padmachen this route will offer you cosy stays everywhere which are run by locals residing in the region who will warmly welcome you with open arms. Some of the recommended homestays of the Silk Route to book your stay include- Lungthung Homestays, Zuluk Homestays, Padamchen Homestays, Gnathang Valley Homestays and Nimachen Homestays.

Where Is the Silk Route

The Old Silk Route is a momentous trade path of East Sikkim, India, connecting areas of the Indo-Tibetan border and is also a part of the trans-Himalayan trade network, which was once a connecting link between Central China and India. It is situated in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas and stretches from Aritar/Rongli to Gnathang, Tukla, Kupu, Nathang Valley and Thambi Viewpoint. The elevation of these regions varies diverse, with Kupup and Nathang Valley being situated at 13,000 feet and Rongli at 5,500 feet.

Travelling along the Silk Route is a visual bliss meandering from serpentine roads, stunning Himalayan vistas, age-old trade history and drastic shift in the altitude. The sky here changes at every mile and you will be greeted warmly by glacial lakes, scenic villages and high passes. You can expect absolute peace and simple mountain life on the Silk Route starting from the popular serpentine bend of Zuluk and the serenity of the Nathang Valley.

How To Reach the Silk Route

Although it is a remote area, it can be accessed easily through different transit points.

By Air: Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is the nearest to Silk Route and its distance from Rongli, which is the entry point of Silk Route is 125 km. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach Aritar or Rongli and begin your mystic journey of Silk Route.

By Train:The New Jalpaiguri is the nearest to the Silk Route, and its distance from Rongli (entry point) is about 120-125 km. You can take a cab from the NJP station to reach some popular entry points of the Silk Route, such as Reshikhola, Aritar or Rongli, and the travel time by road takes about 5-6 hours.

By Road-

From Siliguri: The distance of Siliguri is about 120-130 km, and the travel route includes- Siliguri- Kalimpong- Algarah- Rhenock- Rongli- Zuluk. The travel time by road will take you about 5-6 hours, and you will need to carry a permit to explore restricted areas beyond Rongli.

From Darjeeling: The distance from Darjeeling is 110- 115 km and will take you about 5.5- 6.5 hours by road. The travel route includes- Darjeeling- Kalimpong- Rhenock- Rongli- Zuluk. Try to travel early in the morning to enjoy better weather and road conditions.

Pro-Tips while travelling the Silk Route

    Carry special permits, ID copies, multiple passport-sized photos and ILP (Inner Line Permit) to explore areas such as Nathang Valley, Kupup, Zuluk and Gnathang.
    Pack an extra layer of winter wear such as gloves, jackets and thermal wear, even if you are travelling in summer, as the temperature changes rapidly here, especially if you are travelling above 10,000 feet, and winter nights become freezing.
    Carry altitude medicine such as Diamox and remember to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol while exploring high-altitude beauties such as Thambi Viewpoint and Gnathang Valley.
    Carry a sufficient amount of cash along with you, as there are no ATMS in the area.
    Carry some extra batteries, a power bank and a torch as power shortage occurs in some regions.
    Pack essential toiletries, sunscreen, rain gear and sturdy walking shoes for your trip.

Conclusion

The Silk Route is ideal for exploration by offbeat travellers, nature photographers and nature enthusiasts who seek peace and serenity amidst the raw beauty of the Himalayas, created by low connectivity. You can spend some serene time in the serpentine bends of hilly tracks and strengthen your relationship with nature.

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