One of the top 3 places to visit in North Sikkim, Yumthang valley is nothing short of paradise. Its picturesque beauty and natural wonders make it truly one of its kind. Yumthang valley is also known as the ‘Valley of Flowers’ and many believe that its beauty rivals that of The Netherlands!
Highlights
- The valley blooms with 24 species of Rhododendrons, which is the state flower of Sikkim.
- As its at a high altitude of 3,564 metres, the valley is always cold and chilly. Even in the summer, the maximum temperature recorded is 20 degree Celsius.
Recommended for
Anyone who is interested in witnessing nature at its best should visit Yumthang valley at least once in their lives. The area is filled with lush pine trees, silver fir trees, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and rivers.
About Yumthang valley
A natural sanctuary with hot springs, rivers, grazing pastures, yaks and beautiful green meadows nestled between the Himalayan mountains – this description does not even begin to cover what Yumthang valley really is!
Yumthang valley is located in Northern Sikkim, India, at 3564 metres above sea level and about 140 kilometres away from Gangtok by road. When travelling to Yumthang, it is advisable to make a stop in Lachung and make the rest of the 50-minute journey the next day. This is so because the sun sets around 5:30 pm in Yumthang and driving in the dark is not recommended. It is cold all year round, even in the summer. So, packing warm clothes is essential when making a trip to Yumthang valley.
While you are in Yumthang valley, you should definitely not miss out on:
- Exploring the beautiful city of Lachen.
- Spending a day at the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary when the flowers are in full bloom.
- Enjoying a picnic near Yumthang Chu.
- Going to Zero Point where the road ends and you can see three rivers meeting under the snow-capped mountains.
While planning your trip here, do keep in mind that the valley is closed to the public from December to March because of the heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions.
Interesting facts about Yumthang valley
- Tourists often visit some hot springs in the valley that are believed to have magical healing powers.
- Everyone needs a Protected Area Permit to visit Yumthang valley because of its close proximity to China.
- There are no ATMs in the valley. So, tourists are advised to carry cash with them.
- From February to March, the entire valley celebrates the ‘Losar Festival’ during which the locals don traditional outfits and watch cultural shows organised everywhere.
How to get to Yumthang valley
Plane : The fastest way to reach Yumthang valley is by air. The nearest airport is the Gangtok airport from where you can take a bus or taxi to Lachung.
Train : Lachung railway station is the nearest station to Yumthang. After reaching Lachung via train, you can use the public transport available in the area or hire a private taxi to reach Yumthang valley.
Car or bus : Due to its mountainous terrain, taking a car or bus is the most popular way of travelling to Yumthang. You can directly hire a taxi or bus from Gangtok to Yumthang. Travelling by road to Yumthang is a treat because of the beautiful picturesque route full of streams and waterfalls.
Now that you know everything you need to about Yumthang Valley, explore our travel packages so that you can experience its beauty soon!
