SILK ROUTE TOUR
Silk Route Tour is becoming a popular tourist destination in East Sikkim.
The Old Silk Route in East Sikkim is an ancient trade route that connected Tibet with India. It was once an important route for silk, spices, tea, and other goods.
The silk route played an important role in connecting the cultures of Asia. The route starts in the eastern part of Sikkim and passes through some small, offbeat villages in India.
The route is known for snow-capped Himalayan mountains, alpine forests, and some high-altitude lakes. There are many historical monuments, including Nathula Pass.
Silk Route Tour Permission
Sikkim’s government’s permission is required to visit the Silk Route. If coming from Kalimpong, permission should be obtained at Rongli. And if you come through Gangtok, you have to get permission from Gangtok.
A voter card and photocopy are required for Silk Route permission. An Aadhaar card is not accepted here.
Silk route Tourist Spot must Visit
ZULUK: Zuluk is a small, popular village in the East Sikkim state of India. The altitude of the place is around 10000 ft.
The village is located on the ancient Silk Route. This route was a major trade road between India and Tibet.
Zuluk is a popular destination among tourists who are interested in nature and adventure.
PADAMCHEN: Padamchen is a small village on the popular Silk Route in the Indian state of Sikkim.
Padmachen is a popular tourist destination, especially for those who visit the Silk Route.
Beautiful hills and valleys are all around the hamlet valleys.
LINGTAM: In the Indian state of Sikkim, there is a small, charming village called Lingtam. The location is at a height of about 10,000 feet. The place is known for its beautiful natural environment.
One of the main attractions of Lingtam is the nearby Kuekhola Falls, which is a popular spot for trekking and picnicking.
THAMBI VIEWPOINT: Thambi Viewpoint is a popular tourist spot located near Zuluk village in the East Sikkim district of India. It is situated at a height of approximately 11,200 feet above sea level.
From Thambi Viewpoint, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. The viewpoint is also a great place to watch the sunrise and sunset.
Thambi Viewpoint is located on the historic Silk Route.
NATHANG VALLEY: Nathang Valley, also known as Ganathang Valley. It is a high-altitude valley located in the East Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim.
It is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and is situated roughly 13,500 feet above sea level.
The place is very popular on the Silk Route.
OLD BABA MANDIR: Baba Mandir is a popular tourist spot located near Nathula Pass in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is a temple dedicated to Baba Harbhajan Singh, an Indian Army soldier who died near Nathula Pass in 1968.
This temple was built in his honor. Many tourists visit this temple every year.
Overall, Old Baba Mandir is ideal for experiencing the spiritual and natural beauty of Sikkim.
KUPUP LAKE: Kupup Lake is a high-altitude lake located in the East Sikkim district. The lake is at a height altitude of nearly 13,900 ft.
This lake is very famous and popular among the high-altitude lakes in India.
NATHULA PASS: Nathula Pass is a mountain pass in the Indian state of East Sikkim. At 14,140 ft (4,301 meters) above sea level, this popular mountain pass is considered one of the highest motorable passes in India as well as the world.
The Nathula Pass is also a historic pass that connects India to Tibet and was a major trade route between the two regions.
Today, Nathula Pass is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can check out the nearby Tsomgo Lake, a glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Visitors to Nathula Pass must obtain a special permit from the Government of India. Permits are issued only to Indian citizens and a limited number of foreign nationals.
THE YAK GOLF COURSET: The Yak Golf Course: The Yak Golf Course is situated in the Indian state of Sikkim, which was once a part of the ancient Silk Road that linked Tibet and China with India.
The highest golf course in the world is located here. At a height of around 6,300 ft, It is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful green scenery.
NEW BABA MANDIR: New Baba Mandir is a temple located near Nathula Pass in the East Sikkim district. It is a relatively new temple. In honor of Indian Army soldier Harbhajan Singh, who passed away in 1968, the temple was constructed.
CHANGU LAKE: The stunning high-altitude lake Changu Lake, popularly known as Tsomgo Lake, is located in the eastern part of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is considered one of the most beautiful and high-altitude lakes in India and is located at about 12,313 ft.
Changu Lake is considered and believed to be sacred by the local Buddhist and Hindu communities.
Visitors can enjoy several activities at Changu Lake, including yak and pony rides, boating, and trekking.
Silk Route Tour Plan
1st Plan From Sillary gaon
Day 1: NJP or Bagdogra to Sillery Gaon
Reach NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport.
Drive to Sillary Gaon Via Kalimpong
Check in to your hotel and explore the village.
Day 2: Sillery Gaon to Zuluk
Start early in the morning and drive to Zuluk.
En route, visit Rongli for permits.
After reaching Zuluk, spend the evening exploring the village and acclimatizing to the altitude (10,000 ft)
Day 3: Zuluk to Nathang Valley
Drive to Nathang Valley
Visit the Thambi View point, Old Baba Mandir.
Stay overnight in Nathang Valley
Day 4: Nathang Valley to Gangtok
Drive to Gangtok and check into a hotel.
Visit Tukla Valley, Kupup Lake, Yak Golf Course, Nathula Pass and Changu Lake.
Spend the evening exploring the city, including MG Road
Day 5: Gangtok Local Sightseeing
Day 6: Departure
Depart from Gangtok for your onward journey
2nd Plan From Gangtok
Day 1: Arrival in Gangtok
Reach Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station and proceed to Gangtok.
Check in to your hotel and spend the evening exploring Gangtok and trying some local food.
Day 2: Gangtok to Nathang Valley
Drive to Nathang Valley from Gangtok and check into your hotel.
Visit Tukla Valley, Kupup Lake, Yak Golf Course, New Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass and Changu Lake.
Spend the evening exploring the Valley.
Day 3: Nathang Valley Zuluk to
Drive to Zuluk
Visit the Thambi View point, Old Baba Mandir.
Stay overnight in Zuluk.
Day 4: Zuluk to Aritar
Drive to Aritar from Zuluk
Visit the Aritar Lake, Mankhaim and Rishikhola
Stay overnight in Aritar.
Day 5: Departure
Depart from Aritar to NJP or Bagdogra.
You can also start a Silk Route Tour from Kolakham, Kagay, and Aritar in addition to Gangtok or Sellery Gaon.
You can customize your travel route as your preferences and your time.
Important Travel Tips
The following is significant travel advice for a Silk Road tour:
Just be sure to factor in any high-altitude acclimatization time, as some of the destinations on the Silk Route are located at high altitudes.
The whole route tie is located in a remote location where there is no medical system so it is better to keep with the required medicine
Do your travel plans in Advance. This route is very busy so it is better to book a room and car in advance.
Stay ready for height altitude travel. Some parts of the Silk Route are located at high altitudes, so it is important to drink plenty of water to avoid height illness.
It is less likely to use an ATM or credit card because it is located in a remote area so carry an adequate amount of cases.
Respect the environment
FAQ
Which time is best for the Silk Route?
- The best seasons for traveling on the Silk Road are spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November). During this season, the weather is usually mild and the crowds are less. Also, the hills are covered in flowers in spring and fall, with stunning foliage colors.
- Note that this route may be impassable at certain times. Like heavy snowfall in winter months, cars cannot go during this time.
- In general, the summer and autumn months are ideal for visiting East Sikkim's Silk Route since they bring good weather and the prettiest scenery.
How to go the Silk Route?
The Silk Route is a very popular tourist spot in East Sikkim. Two roads are used to get there. one through Gangtok and the other through Kalimpong and Rangli.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. From Bagdogra, you can hire a taxi to reach.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From NJP, you can hire a taxi to reach East Sikkim or take a bus to Kalimpong or Gangtok and hire a taxi from there.
- By Road: East Sikkim is well-connected by road from Siliguri. You can also hire a taxi from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, or from Kalimpong to reach the Silk Route.
When did the Silk Route open?
Basically, from December to mid-February, this route is closed to tourists because of heavy snowfall during this time. Moreover, this route is open throughout the year.
What is the weather of the Silk Route?
The weather on the Silk Route in East Sikkim depends on the season. All year long, the temperature in this area fluctuates between 5°C and 20°C.
- Summer (March–May): The summer months are considered the best time to travel the Silk Route. During this time, the temperature is around 10°C to 20°C. The sky is clear, and the region is filled with greenery.
- Monsoon (June–August): The region experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which sometimes results in landslides. But the rain also enhances the natural beauty of this region.
- Autumn (October–November): Autumn months are characterized by clear blue skies and cooler temperatures. This is an ideal time to visit the Silk Route. The temperature is between 5°C and 15°C, and the color of the leaves is red and yellow during this time.
- Winter (December to February): The winter months are cold, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C. It is snowing very heavily here at this time. As a result, the roads become slippery and dangerous, so one should be very careful when traveling during this time.
Are the Zuluk and Silk Routes the same?
No, Zuluk and the Silk Route are not the same.
Zuluk is located on the historical Silk Route, it is a small part of the route. The Silk Route spans many places, like Zuluk.