Name: North Sikkim
Rating: 4.2

Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim Overview

The popular Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim is located 140 km north of Gangtok. Famous as the "Valley of flowers", this is a rare and exotic location with hot springs, rivers, yaks and lush green meadows. Situated at an elevation on 3564 metres, this stunning valley is a paradise for nature lovers as it houses the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which has over 24 species of Rhododendron flowers (the state flower) blooming from late February to mid-June.

Yumthang Valley is closed to tourists between December and March due to the heavy snowfall in the region. A few hot springs are situated in Yumthang Valley, which is often visited by tourists as they are believed to have miraculous healing power. Apart from a cosmic green meadow, plush green forest abundant in Pine and silver fir trees fills the area. On your way towards Yumthang Valley, you can see gushing waterfalls and streams along with a splendid view of peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa.

Yumthang Valley Weather and Best Time to Visit

The best time to take a trip to Yumthang valley commences from late February and lasts until June if you want to experience the colourful flowers blossoming, which the valley is known for. However, if you want to enjoy a clear sky and brilliant view of snow-capped mountains, then the time of September - December would be ideal to visit this place.

Another good time to visit Yumthang Valley is from February to March when the Losar festival is celebrated. This is the time when you can experience the locals in their traditional attires, eating and drinking accompanied by amazing cultural shows.

Permits

As Yumthang Valley is situated close to the China border, the whole area is under army control. A Protected Area Permit is required to visit Yumthang which can be taken from Gangtok Tourism Office, District Administrative Center at Mangan, or at Chungthang Sub-Divisional Magistrate's Office. The tour operators also arrange for the permit.

Stay Near Yumthang

There is no accommodation at the valley. Tourists stay at Lachung from where the valley is about an hour's drive. There are several hotels and resorts in Lachung. Yarlam Resort, Modern Residency, Le Cozy Resort, Fortuna Resort, Cliff View Residency, Season House and Golden Valley are some of the best accommodation in Lachung which one can choose according to their choice. The services are clean and descent. Your accommodation and food can be arranged as part of a package tour to Yumthang.

Tips For Visiting Yumthang

1. Carry warm clothes in all seasons as Yumthang is located at a high altitude and it can be biting cold at any time. Also, carry medication for high altitude sickness.

2. There are no ATMs at Yumthang so carry enough cash with you.

3. It is advisable to travel from Gangtok to Lachung and stay overnight and make the journey to Yumthang the next morning. A direct journey to Yumthang is not very feasible as it becomes dark very early around 5:30 PM and the roads are also very foggy.

How to Reach Yumthang Valley

The best way to reach Yumthang is to travel to Lachung from Gangtok, which is about 125 kms, by a shared or personal vehicle and stay overnight. It is not feasible to travel to Yumthang directly from Gangtok in a day as the region is prone to fogs and becomes dark very early. From Lachung, the drive to Yumthang take just around 50 minutes and the road is lined with colourful blooming flowers, making for a soothing and spectacular ride.

How to reach Yumthang Valley

Air: Gangtok airport is the nearest airports Lachung. From there regular flights are available to different destinations. You will have to take a taxi or bus from here to reach Lachung. From Lachung, transport facilities are available to get to Yumthang Valley.
Rail: Lachung railway station is near to the city and is easily accessible by road. You can hire any of the available public transport to reach there. Rail network is well connected and make your journey comfortable. From Lachung, transport facilities are available to get to Yumthang Valley.
Road: Lachung is a hill station and tourists usually prefer to travel through road. You can get taxi, jeeps, and buses to reach this place. Gangtok (113 km) is well connected to Lachung with road transport facility. From Lachung, transport facilities are available to get to Yumthang Valley.