User:Gnathang

Gnathang Valley or Nathang Valley is popularly called the “ Ladakh of the East India”. Situated at the height of 13,000 ft. above the sea level Gnathang Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Old-Silk-Route. Surrounded by snow capped hills and mountain landscape.Chinese Watch Towers on Jelep La are clearly visible from Gnathang valley in naked eyes.This area is being developed as a Ski point in Sikkim and now it is the closest ski resort from Calcutta. This is a remote valley with a meandering stream crisscrossing it. Gnathang is the highest location to stay in the Indian part of the Old Silk Route. It is one of the remotest Tibetan habitations in Himalayas. Gnathang Valley usually remains covered with thick snow from January to April. The long four-month of sub-zero temperature makes the valley a cold desert and one of the most beautiful parts of Himalayas. Recently, few homestays with modern facilities have been built with aid from the Government by the local villagers to accommodate tourists. Gnathang Valley is the most scenic destination in the whole of Old Silk Route Few streams crisscross the valley, and prayer flags flutter on the mountain edges on this vast plain of nothingness. Gnathang Valley appears in different colours in different times of the year. In autumn it looks golden when the grass dries up, in rainy season it’s covered in flowers and in winter it is buried in 5 feet of snow. Gnathang Valley is also visited by migratory birds just before the onset of winter. There’s a monastery, a temple and a small bridge over a small stream in the distance dotting the valley. There is also a war memorial in Gnathang Valley carrying the memories of "Tukla War". Food is basic but served hot and home-cooked. The usual menu includes Chapatis and puri-sabjis in the breakfast, egg meals in the afternoon, snacks in the evening and chicken meals in the night. Momos and traditional Sikkimese dishes are mostly available in the evenings. Accoommodation: In Gnathang ,Govt. Aided Home stays and Private Homestay are available. There are some nice newly-built, well equipped modern home stays at Gnathang Valley, which offer basic but comfortable accommodation with the very essentials like hot meals, hot water, comfy beds, room heaters, attached western bathrooms, 24-hr electricity and endless supplies of blankets. Food is basic but served hot and home-cooked. Around Gnatnang There are lots of places around Gnathang where tourists can go for sightseeing. Thambi view point, Lungthang, Kupup, Memencho Lake, Old Baba Mandir, Gnathang valley Nathula gate are some of the sightseeing spots around Gnathang. Tourist can reach Gangtok from Gnathnag after seeing these spots. Thambi view point - Thambi view point is close to Zuluk and it is best view point of 95 turn zig zag road. The 95 turn zigzag road is the only one in its nature in the entire Himalayan range.. The Thambi view point at an altitude of 11,200 ft also provides excellent view of sunrise of Mt Kanchenjangha. Kupup Lake - Kupup lake at an altitude of 14,000ft is another famous tourist place in east Sikkim. It is also called Elephant lake as its shape is just like an elephant. The Ice hockey ground ,the Yak Golf Course, the Elephant lake are main attraction in Kupup.Yak Golf Course is the highest golf course in the world and Kupup lake hosts the waterpolo game and it is also the highest water polo lake in the world.From Kupkup tourists can go for Jeelep La pass. Baba Mandir - The shrine of sepahi Baba Harbhajan, who died as he fell from horse back on to a gorge while on duty, is popularly known as Baba Mandir. This mandir, located 60km away from Gangtok, is worshiped by local people as well as army officials. This Mandir hosts all the memories of Baba Harbhajan Singh. Menmecho lake - Memencho lake is located in the North East of Sikkim. It can be reached from Gnathang in 1 hrs drive. The lake is cradled between the mountains of Jeelep La. It is also the source of river Rongpo-Chu. This river Rongpo Chi meets Tista as Rongpo. This lake gets its water from the melting snow from the streams just below the jelep-la. This lake is located 60 km away from Gangtok. Climate: Summer 7ºC to15ºC, Winter--5ºC to 2ºC Altitude: 12500 ft