Long weekends are eagerly anticipated and warmly embraced by young professionals seeking a brief respite from their quotidian lifestyle. With Eid-Ul-Fitr approaching on the 11th of April, 2024, consider customising your itinerary for a journey along the Sikkim Silk Route. By taking just one day off from work, you can enjoy a 4-day short vacation. The 3 Nights and 4 Days Sikkim Old Silk Route tour offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes, lakes, and biodiversity along the Silk Route. You can begin the trip from NJP Station or Bagdogra Airport and conclude at the same location, or opt to start and end your journey in the state capital city of Gangtok.
For travellers seeking a short yet comprehensive experience of the Old Silk Route in Sikkim, this 4-day itinerary offers an ideal solution. Though somewhat brisk, this tour manages to encompass the major highlights of sightseeing along the Sikkim Silk Route.
The Silk Route of Sikkim
The Silk Route, also known as the Silk Road, denotes an intricate network of ancient trade routes linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Stretching over 6,500 km, it primarily facilitated the transportation of Chinese Silk to Europe via Central Asia from as early as the 2nd Century BC. However, numerous trade routes, both overland and maritime, predated the Silk Route, connecting it with various commodities such as salt and gold. Beyond mere trade, the Silk Route played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of ideas, art, and scientific knowledge among the regions it connected. This cultural interchange saw Greek art influencing India, while Buddhism spread from India to other parts of the world via the Silk Route. Renowned Chinese travellers like Fa Hein and Hiuen Tsang journeyed to India along these ancient routes. At the same time, Marco Polo's travels along the Silk Route provided him with insights into the grandeur of Chinese civilization, exemplifying the route's historical significance.
The Silk Route in Sikkim traces back to ancient trade routes stretching from Lhasa to the port of Tamluk in West Bengal, passing through the Chumbi Valley and Nathula Pass in North Sikkim. Spanning approximately 900 kilometres, this route has long been known as one of the most challenging. Through the Silk Route of Sikkim Tour Package, travellers can delve into the history of the region, exploring the quaint hamlets dotted along the route and discovering ancient trading practices.
The Journey Begins from New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra
On Day One, arrive at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra International Airport, and then make a transfer to Aritar. It will take about 4-5 hours to make the commute. You will reach Aritar via Kalimpong. If you want, you can halt for some time to enjoy the scenic beauty of the way. On reaching Aritar, check into a hotel and unleash your body from the journey’s exhaustion. Considering that you will be reaching the hotel by the afternoon, the evening is free for you to perambulate through the streets of Aritar.
On Day Two, you will be exploring some local attractions at Aritar. Relish a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel or opt for exploring the local food at Aritar. Lampokahri Lake will be your first location. It is an old natural lake and has undergone manual modifications that facilitate boating activities. Next, visit the Rhenok Guma Monastery, an ancient monastery that houses the Buddhist Manuscripts of the earlier ages. Have lunch and then make your move towards Mankhim Temple and Lake. Visiting the temple and the lake, reach Mankhim Top Viewpoint to get a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Spend the evening with this mesmerising sight and return to the hotel.
On Day Three, the much-awaited Silk Route is all yours to indulge in exploration, for which, you have to start the day quite early. Reach Zuluk from Aritar to commence with the day’s tour. Zuluk is a small hamlet and simultaneously an offbeat location in East Sikkim. Witness the zigzag hairpin bent roads of the Silk Route from a viewpoint in Zuluk. Don't forget to take click pictures of this amazing view which is quite rare of its kind. The second landmark for the day is the famous and gorgeous Tsongmo Lake, located about 43 km from the former landmark. Spending a considerable amount of time at Tasongmo Lake, reverse the steering towards Zuluk, and en route make a mandatory visit to Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, followed by Nathang Valley. Reach Nathang Valley by afternoon and spending some time there, head towards Rishikhola. It is an offbeat destination in the Kalimpong Division. Soak in its spectacular scenic topography and return to Aritar in the evening.
On Day Four, pack up your belongings and check out from the hotel to proceed with the return journey from NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport.
