Lachung
We returned back to Lachen well after lunch-time. After partaking a filling meal of roti, dal and chicken, we headed for Lachung. We went down the same route that took us up and reached Chungthang in little over 2 hrs. Then we started climbing again keeping Lachung Cho to our right. Prakash told us that Lachung Cho is considered to be an important source of Teesta.
Lachung is pretty big for a hill village. Most of its houses offer home-stay facilities and their are some very good resorts as well. The village, like most villages on the hills, looked selft-sufficient. You can see cows and roosters in all the houses. Some houses also had small paddy fields in their courtyards. Every available space is used for cultivation.
From our room on the top of the resort we could see the jagged peaks of the opposite mountain reaching for the stars. It's jagged peaks are too steep to gather snow, so it look more like a granite wall that a mountain. However, its lower slopes sports a lush green carpet upon which we could see the tiny figures of Indian army cadets moving about. We could not see the peak of the mountain we were on, but we could see tine springs comming down form caves higher above us. Ofter the view is blocked by the coloful flags whipping crazily in the wind. In the soft hues of the setting sun, we could only get a glimpse of the beauty all around, but the promise of the morning beauty was etched deep in the surrounding landscape.
The night turned out to be a long one. The electricity took its cue from the sun and was soon off. Luckily we had a few candles with us. Withoutv light it is difficult for us to pass the time, especially when walking on the road becomes dangerous due to low visibility. So, we decided to call it a day.
Yumthang Valley
The Yumthang valley is famous for its flowers. The road leading to the valley is bordered with rhododendron forests, now in full bloom. The small trees were almost bowed over with the weight of the flowers. It is hard to believe that such beautiful colors are possible. Red is the most common color. But as you go uphill, you will find more colors. We passed these beautiful forests and push on higher up. Our first destination was the Zero point, or Yumesamdong, which is reputed to have snowa all round the year, a big treat for people like us who had never seen snow before. The road again took us above the treeline into a world of boulders. Just before we reached Zero Point, we had to cross a stream on car, the original bridge being swept away a few days back. We were at the mercy of nature. If the water increased on our way back, we will not be able to cross back in this way.
Zero Point
It was well worth the trouble. The beautiful vista that greeted us was simply out of this world. The black mountain backdrop made a stark contrast for the heaps of snow piled here and there. But what surprised me was the number of vendors waiting to greet the visitors. You can easily have your lunch here. Although we stopped only for some tea. after tea we set out to explore the valley in front of us. It was not full of flowers, but we could see tiny streams, sometimes covered with a thin sheet of ice, running across the valley. We walked to the nearest hillside to play in the snow for some time. It was a chilli day. Soon we were shivering in the wind that swept across the valley. Slowly we made our way to our car.
Our next stop was near the Lachung Cho stream. We spent some time near the river and had some Wai Wai in the tea-stall nearby. The whole atmosphere smelt of leisure and peace. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry. Even the day itself seemed to drag itself towards dusk. On our way back we took some beautiful photograph of the rhododendron forests, and in the process unwittingly chased away a few wild yaks. Indra gave the sole credit for this feat to me. It seems I was the most scary thing around their. Soon it was time to go home. It was our last night in Lachung. Tomorrow we will head for Gantok, and the next day we will catch our train at NJP.
We returned back to Lachen well after lunch-time. After partaking a filling meal of roti, dal and chicken, we headed for Lachung. We went down the same route that took us up and reached Chungthang in little over 2 hrs. Then we started climbing again keeping Lachung Cho to our right. Prakash told us that Lachung Cho is considered to be an important source of Teesta.
Lachung is pretty big for a hill village. Most of its houses offer home-stay facilities and their are some very good resorts as well. The village, like most villages on the hills, looked selft-sufficient. You can see cows and roosters in all the houses. Some houses also had small paddy fields in their courtyards. Every available space is used for cultivation.
From our room on the top of the resort we could see the jagged peaks of the opposite mountain reaching for the stars. It's jagged peaks are too steep to gather snow, so it look more like a granite wall that a mountain. However, its lower slopes sports a lush green carpet upon which we could see the tiny figures of Indian army cadets moving about. We could not see the peak of the mountain we were on, but we could see tine springs comming down form caves higher above us. Ofter the view is blocked by the coloful flags whipping crazily in the wind. In the soft hues of the setting sun, we could only get a glimpse of the beauty all around, but the promise of the morning beauty was etched deep in the surrounding landscape.
The night turned out to be a long one. The electricity took its cue from the sun and was soon off. Luckily we had a few candles with us. Withoutv light it is difficult for us to pass the time, especially when walking on the road becomes dangerous due to low visibility. So, we decided to call it a day.
Yumthang Valley
The Yumthang valley is famous for its flowers. The road leading to the valley is bordered with rhododendron forests, now in full bloom. The small trees were almost bowed over with the weight of the flowers. It is hard to believe that such beautiful colors are possible. Red is the most common color. But as you go uphill, you will find more colors. We passed these beautiful forests and push on higher up. Our first destination was the Zero point, or Yumesamdong, which is reputed to have snowa all round the year, a big treat for people like us who had never seen snow before. The road again took us above the treeline into a world of boulders. Just before we reached Zero Point, we had to cross a stream on car, the original bridge being swept away a few days back. We were at the mercy of nature. If the water increased on our way back, we will not be able to cross back in this way.
Zero Point
It was well worth the trouble. The beautiful vista that greeted us was simply out of this world. The black mountain backdrop made a stark contrast for the heaps of snow piled here and there. But what surprised me was the number of vendors waiting to greet the visitors. You can easily have your lunch here. Although we stopped only for some tea. after tea we set out to explore the valley in front of us. It was not full of flowers, but we could see tiny streams, sometimes covered with a thin sheet of ice, running across the valley. We walked to the nearest hillside to play in the snow for some time. It was a chilli day. Soon we were shivering in the wind that swept across the valley. Slowly we made our way to our car.
Our next stop was near the Lachung Cho stream. We spent some time near the river and had some Wai Wai in the tea-stall nearby. The whole atmosphere smelt of leisure and peace. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry. Even the day itself seemed to drag itself towards dusk. On our way back we took some beautiful photograph of the rhododendron forests, and in the process unwittingly chased away a few wild yaks. Indra gave the sole credit for this feat to me. It seems I was the most scary thing around their. Soon it was time to go home. It was our last night in Lachung. Tomorrow we will head for Gantok, and the next day we will catch our train at NJP.
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