Yumthang Valley

Rush to Yumthang Valley for a weekend trip from Gangtok if you are searching for an awe-inducing place in the lofty Himalayas of Sikkim. Not a regular tourist getaway, Yumthang Valley is a high altitude region that’s quite famous for gurgling, hot water springs and a surreal landscape. Once you reach the valley, it will be a treat for the eyes as the landscape is a contrasting mix of meadows, forests brimming with rhododendron groves and snow-clad Himalayan peaks on the horizon. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a major attraction near Yumthang Valley and is a must visit in the months of August-September when the flowers are in full bloom. Keep driving parallel to the wildly-flowing River Teesta in the valley to reach the end of tree line, another natural spectacle. You can also visit the usually frozen glacier near Katao on your way to Yumthang Valley from Gangtok.