TRAVEL CONTINUES IN HEAVENLY PLANET 2, Lachung, North Sikkim, India

I was awake. It was a cold night in Lachung where we had reached at the night fall from Chunthang. Had a quiet dinner and being tired, had hit the bed. The sound of a waterfall adjacent to our small but cozy hotel had created a queer and mystic atmosphere. On the way from Chungthang we had passed through quaint villages, scenic spots, and waterfalls. I knew then we were heading to some kind of a heavenly abode.


Then there was a whistling sound through window pans.Wind. I tossed in the bed and looked at Tommy Singh. How lucky and soundproof some people are blessed with a sleep! Then slowly as I was about to drift into a beautiful sleep, I heard it. A muffled gun shot far away somewhere in the mountains and then rapid fire!

I shot up like a bullet! What was that? A brief silence and then again and then... again! It continued for about an hour.... After that there was no sleep. What surprised me there was no reaction, movement or alarm in the hotel!

There was a knock at the door.

"Good morning",a smiling lady entered with bed tea. She probably was a Bhutia with charming features and may be in her forties.

"Oh' that". She giggled. "There's a regiment of Indian Army and they conduct mock warfare in the mountains during night", she replied to my query of gunfire in the night. I was relieved.

We came out.

Wow! What a sight!

Across the road was a rushing river and beyond this vista were towering mountains with snow peaks! It was a rare moment...a celestial look!

Lachung.
The height-8,838 ft.

To me, it was one amongst the most beautiful villages that was adorned with views of the snow-capped mountains, astounding waterfalls and dazzling streams. This place of incredible splendor had been affirmed as the "most picturesque village of Sikkim" by Joseph Salton Hooker in 'The Himalayan Journal' (1855).

After breakfast, we explored the village, trekked in the surroundings, visited monastery and handicraft center. In the afternoon, we spent fishing in the river. It was great!

Next day we were supposed to leave for The valley of Rhododendron and Orchids- "The Great Yamthang Valley" and then to the final paradise-"Lachen" and God's own abode-"Gurudongmar Lake"

Stay:
Sonam Palgey Lachung, Lachung, Sikkim

Transport:
Hire your own form Gangtok or there are share jeeps.
Note: You can arrange the package for North Sikkim from Gangtok