Yumthang Valley of Flowers, Lachung, Sikkim

Yumthang Valley of Flowers, Lachung, Sikkim

Yumthang Valley of Flowers is a natural sanctuary located near Lachung Town in Mangan District in Sikkim, India. It is also called as Sikkim Valley of Flowers sanctuary. It is home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary and situated close to the international border with Tibet.

The Valley of Flowers

It is a nature sanctuary with river, hot springs, yaks and grazing pasture on rolling meadows surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. It is situated at an elevation of 3,564 metres (11,693 ft) above msl. It is home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, which has over twenty-four species of the rhododendron, the state flower. The flowering season is from late February and to mid-June when countless flowers bloom to carpet the valley in multicolored hues of rainbow. During the flowering season, the area blooms with rhododendrons, primulas, iris, poppies and other flora.

It also offers a view of a stunning array of peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa. A tributary of the river Teesta flows past the valley. Yumthang is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall. A number of hot springs are scattered in the valley providing an opportunity to feel the warmth of the water even in freezing temperatures. These hot springs are rich in Sulphur and are believed to have miraculous healing powers. There is no accommodation available in the valley. Visitors need to stay at Lachung from where the valley is about an hour’s drive.

Connectivity

The valley is located at about 22 Kms from Yumesodong, 25 Kms from Zero Point, 26 Kms from Lachung, 47 Kms from Chungthang, 72 Kms from Lachen, 77 Kms from Mangan, 135 Kms from Gangtok, 153 Kms from Pakyong Airport, 209 Kms from Siliguri Junction Railway Station, 215 Kms from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and 221 Kms from Bagdogra Airport. Yumthang Valley is situated on Lachung to Zero point route.

Tourists need to travel from Gangtok to Lachung Town by booking a full vehicle or shared one and stay overnight. Lachung provides the base for the exploration of Yumthang, the valley of flowers. A direct journey to Yumthang is not feasible as roads are commonly foggy and it becomes dark very early around 5:30 pm. A trip to the Valley takes around two hours from Lachung. The trips are arranged as a tourist package in Gangtok.

Location