North Sikkim is a district of Sikkim with its headquarters in Mangan. It is the seventh least populous district in India. The district is the largest of the four districts of Sikkim. The landscape is mountainous with dense vegetation all the way up to the alpine altitude before thinning out to desert scrub towards the northern tundra. Numerous waterfalls astride the main road make the trip to this district extremely picturesque. The most prominent effect of the steepness of the valleys is the prevalence of landslides that at times drop to anything between 3000 and 5,000 ft (1,500 m) carrying devastation along their course. Most of them are caused either by the melting snow beds on top of the mountains or by the erosive action of the rains. Kanchenjunga is the highest peak at over 8,000 m, straddling its western border with Nepal and can be seen clearly from the town of Singhik.
History: The Lepchas are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Sikkim and they perhaps lived in the North and East districts. The Buddhist saint Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is said to have passed through the land in the 8th century. The Guru is reported to have blessed the land, introduced Buddhism, and foretold the era of monarchy that would arrive in Sikkim centuries later.
*(All the above information are from Wikipedia.)
Transport:
Airport: Pakyong Airport at a distance of 29 km from Gangtok is the nearest airport with limited connectivity. The Bagdogra International Airport is the major airport at a distance of 125 km from Gangtok. It is connected to many major cities across India.
Road: Gangtok is well connected to Siliguri the nearest major city in West Bengal by NH10. North Sikkim is connected to Gangtok by good road through the mountain and is located at a distance of 130 km.
Local: North Sikkim being an interior part of the state and remaining isolated it is difficult to find any vehicle from here. It is advisable to hire a vehicle that stays with you for the trip of North Sikkim.
Tourist Interest:
Lachen: Lachen is a beautiful town in the North Sikkim district. The town forms the base to the Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake. An annual yak race, the Thangu is held here in summer.
Gurudongmar Lake: Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world and in India, located at an altitude of 17,800 ft. It is considered sacred by Buddhists and Sikhs. The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava—also known as Guru Rinpoche—founder of Tibetan Buddhism, who visited in the 8th century.
Read my experience in Gurudongmar Lake.
Chungthang: It is situated at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung rivers, which combine to form the Teesta River. Chungthang is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of orchids, plants and animals.
Lachung: Lachung is a picturesque town in North Sikkim district.
The other places of interest here are Seven Sisters’ Waterfalls, Naga Waterfalls, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, Chopta Valley, Thangu Valley and more.
Tour Planner:
This tour planner is made on the basis of the location of the destinations. One can make changes as per their interest, convenience and accessibility and duration of the trip.
Day 1: Start from Gangtok to Lachen, on the way see the famous waterfalls and Chungthang to reach Lachen in the evening.
Day 2: Start early for Gurudongmar Lake en route Chopta valley and Thangu Valley and reach Lachung in the evening.
Day 3: Start for Yumthang and Zero Point and then return back to Gangtok in the evening.