Day 2 - North Sikkim
We had planned our trip to north sikkim to start at 7'O' Clock, so as to avoid rush hour traffic and hectic driving. But unfortunately our agent had neither permits nor paper work ready. So we ended up spending half a day in Gangtok waiting for vehicle and papers. Though we had communicated through email and specified the vehicle we preferred, we found that this was not taken in to account. The vehicle was not in the best possible shape and after haggling with the agent the driver agreed to replace the worn tire with a new one.
Soon we left the bustle of city behind and embarked on our dream journey. We passes innumerable streams and waterfalls en-route and the view of deep green clad valleys were mesmerizing.
we had to stop often due to land slide and rockfall .
At seven sister waterfall
another water fall on the road to north sikkim
We reached LaChung in time for lunch at Hotel Fortuna LaChung.
We had planned our trip to north sikkim to start at 7'O' Clock, so as to avoid rush hour traffic and hectic driving. But unfortunately our agent had neither permits nor paper work ready. So we ended up spending half a day in Gangtok waiting for vehicle and papers. Though we had communicated through email and specified the vehicle we preferred, we found that this was not taken in to account. The vehicle was not in the best possible shape and after haggling with the agent the driver agreed to replace the worn tire with a new one.
Soon we left the bustle of city behind and embarked on our dream journey. We passes innumerable streams and waterfalls en-route and the view of deep green clad valleys were mesmerizing.
we had to stop often due to land slide and rockfall .
At seven sister waterfall
another water fall on the road to north sikkim
By the time we reached La Chen it was night. Driver informed us that the trip to Gurudongmar will start at an unearthy hour of 3 'O' Clock the next morning. We got up at 2.30 and dressed and came out of the hotel to find that it was pitch dark outside with not a soul in sight. Hotel was completely dark and the driver nowhere in sight. After some time we found an employee of the hotel who informed us that this is a routine lie repeated by drivers. The vehicle will leave only at 4.30 am after breakfast at the Hotel!
Dining area of Hotel
Unfortunately, while coming down the dimly lit stairs a member of our party had a small fall and sprained her leg. We decided not to go to Gurudongmar so as to obtain medical care at the earliest.
On making enquiry, we found that a fully functional PHC was available at Chungthang. By 8'O' Clock we started to Chungthang. The Doctor and staff and Chungthang PHC were most courteous and after ruling out fracture, we were able to immobilize the leg with soft bandage and continue our journey.
PHC at Chungthang
We continued our journey to Lachung. By now we had lost count of the number of water falls we passed.
The location of the hotel is superb and the view from the balcony mesmerizing. The fertile green cloaked valley and snow clad mountains at the horizon - is this heaven?
After food and a moments rest we wanted to explore around a bit or go to Yamthang valley. However the the driver was most relucant to undertake a trip and eventually we decided to visit the monastry at La Chung. The monastery was a short drive from the hotel and though the monastery itself was closed, the view from the courtyard was breathtaking. wild flowers were in full bloom and the ground carpeted with flowers.
On the way back we parked on the bank of gurgling river and spend an hour listening to its music and watching its swift flow.
Soon we were back at the hotel, a chair in the balcony to watch the nightfall and eventually food and sleep.
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