Zuluk, a small village in East Sikkim, part of Silk Route Tour above 10,000 ft. of sea level gaining popularity as amongst the tourists because of its natural virginity, unspoiled nature and amazing Himalayan beauty.
Catching a glimpse of the snow-capped mountain ranges or sun rising on the sea from the window of the hotel room is something that you might have experienced a lot of times during your Silk Route Package Tour. Have you ever discovered yourself at a place so serene where even the wind is audible?
Places to visit in Zuluk Silk Route
- Zuluk Loop : 32 hair-pin curves
- Thambi View Point : Best for Zuluk Zigzag view
- Nathang Valley : All time snow
- Kupup Lake : A sacred lake with good ambience
- Menmecho Lake : Lake with awesome scenic beauty
- Lungthung : Great Mountain Views
- Tukla Valley : Offer great view of Mt. Kanchenjungha
- Old Baba Mandir : A temple of faith
- Tsomgo Lake : A must visit place for every Gangtok Traveller
- Nag Temple : A Cave Temple
SILLERY GAON TO ZULUK TOUR
After breakfast, start for Zuluk Tour Package via Rongli Dam, Lingtam, Lingtam Monastery, Keukhela Falls. Reach Zuluk right in time for lunch.
Rongli
Rongli is a small township located East Sikkim on the bank of river Rongli. The Inner Line Permit (ILP) for visit towards Nathula granted over there.
Rongli Dam
The Rongli dam is a concrete dam on the Rongli river with a height of 41m and can hold 45,200 cubic meters of water.
Lingtam
Lingtam is a small village next after the Rongli permit zone at an altitude of 5000 feet from sea level. It’s known for his sun kissed peaceful weather surrounded by the hills of all it four sides. You can visit Lingtam Monestry also.
Keukhela Falls
The Keukhela falls or Kali Khola falls located on the way of the old silk route in between Lingtam and Padamchen. This fall is 100m in heights and beautifully surrounded by scenic nature. Reach zuluk before lunch.
Zuluk
This is the place where you are heading in this Zuluk Tour Package from Kolkata. Zuluk is a small village in East Sikkim, part of Old Silk Route 10,000 ft. above the sea level gaining popularity amongst the tourists because of its natural virginity, unspoiled nature and amazing Himalayan beauty. Catching a glimpse of the snow capped mountain ranges or sun rising on the sea from the window of the hotel room is something that you might have experienced a lot of times. Overnight stay at Zuluk.
ZULUK SIGHTSEEING TOUR
After breakfast, enjoy the beauty of Thambi View Point, 95 Turns, Lungthung, Laxman Chowk, GNathang Valley, Tukla Valley, Kalapokhari, Old Baba Mandir, Four Lake Point, Memencho Lake view Point, Jelep-la Pass View and reach Kupup 13,900ft. Don’t miss the Elephant lake At Kupup. Here also see the highest cool water polo ground at kupup.
After completion your sightseeing, you will be transferred for Rangpokhola Tour from Zuluk and enjoy the music of Rangpo river. You can also indulge yourself in the luxury of bathing and fishing in the crystal clear Rangpo River. Following are the places that we will cover during the trip :
Zig Zag Road
Zig Zag road or Bhulbhuliya is a one in kind of road in the entire Sikkim. This spiral road has so many hairpins bent and counts as the top 10 dangerous roads in the world. one can get a splendid view of Zuluk from every hairpin bend of the road.
Thambi viewpoint
At a distance of 14 km from Zuluk and at a height of 11200ft Thambi viewpoint offers a splendid view of Mt Kanchenjhangha and another snowcapped mountain. It is located on a famous hairpin bent named zigzag road or bhulbhuliya and a must-see spot.
Suspension Bridge
Visit the hidden treasure of Punakha Valley, the longest suspension bridge over River Fo (Father River).
Lungthung
Lungthung is a small village located at a height of 11600ft on the old silk route and it offers a panoramic view of Mt Kanchenjhangha.
Tukla Valley
Another must-stop destination is Tukla valley at an altitude of 11600 ft. You also find a war memorial over there in the memory of British soldiers fought in the War of Tukla.
Jeelpla Pass View
Jeelp-la pass which means The Lovely Level Pass located nearby Tukla valley at an altitude of almost 14000ft. It is a mountain pass between India and Tibet Autonomous Region (China). It directly connects India to Lhasa in Tibet and used by ancient traders of the Silk route. Although it is higher than Nathula pass but the easiest pass among the entire pass in Sikkim. Nowadays the pass is prohibited for civilians.
Old Baba Mandir
Old Baba Mandir is dedicated to Baba Harbhajan Singh the martyr of 23 regiments of the Indian army. It is the original bunker of Baba where he stayed during the Indo China War in 1962. The temple is maintained by the Indian army. Finally, reach Gnathan valley before lunch.
Gnathang Valley
Nathang Valley is popularly called the “Ladakh of East India”. Situated at the height of 13,000 ft. above the sea level, Nathang Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Old Silk Route Tour surrounded by snow-capped hills and mountain landscape. Nathang Valley is the most scenic destination in the whole of Old Silk Route. Few streams crisscross the valley and prayer flags flutter on the mountain edges on this vast plain of nothingness. Nathang Valley appears in different colors at different times of the year. In autumn it looks golden when the grass dries up, in the rainy season it’s covered in flowers and in winter it is buried in 5 feet of snow. Overnight stay at Gnathan valley.
DO’S AND DONT’S IN ZULUK PACKAGE TOUR FROM KOLKATA
- Carrying warm woollen clothes is a must. During December to February, Zuluk experience sub zero temperature so travellers must carry woollen clothes, gloves, caps, shoes etc.
- As Zuluk is very remote place from the city life, carrying enough dry fruits and bottled water is a must. One must carry enough biscuits, dry fruits, nuts, chocolate, and chips in a great no.
- Due to its remoteness, medical facilities is not available in Zuluk, so traveller must carry some basic medicine for fever, cough, headache, diarrheal, band-aids, crepe bandage etc.
- Travellers must carry adequate cash for Zuluk Tour as there are not any ATM facilities.
- Due to poor mobile coverage (as the place is in high altitude and remote also) it is advisable to carry SIM with different mobile service provider.
- It is advisable to carry torch, gas lighter, matches, candle, emergency light, charger, power bank, mosquito repellent, camera with extra battery etc.
- Do not expect luxury facilities, amenities or accommodation in Zuluk. Stay with local and be happy.
- Do not pollute the place, just left your footprint not trash.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS [FAQ] FOR ZULUK TOUR
Q. What is the ALtitude of Zuluk?
Zuluk is located at an ALtitude of 2,865m or 9,400ft above sea level.
Q. How to get Permit for Zuluk Tour?
In general, Indian citizens don’t require any permit to enter Sikkim, but as the place is bordering China, hence for security purpose a special permit is required to enter some strategically important places in Sikkim like Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Zuluk.
To obtain the permit you need to produce photocopy of your identity proof (voter Card, Aadhar Card, Driving Licence) with passport size photograph to any travel agency you can find in Mal road in Gangtok. Guests must bring several photocopies of their document as some time it may be difficult to make the photocopy there. If possible try to make the permit from Gangtok day before travelling and by this way you can save a day as most of the permits are done in morning hours.
Another easy way to get the permit is to contact your hotel staff, and they will make the permit for you with little or no charges. In this way you can get some free time to explore Gangtok.
There is also another way to get the permit for Zuluk. On the way to Kupup, Nathula or Zuluk permit can be obtained from Rongli – a small village in this ancient route in lieu of 100 or 200 Indian currency.
Q. How to get Foreign National Permits for Zuluk Tour?
For all foreigners, a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is a must to enter Sikkim. With this permit guests can travel some of the places in Sikkim but not all the places. To visit places like Nathula, Gurudongmar Lake, Zuluk, foreign visitors need to produce valid Passport and Visa to get a special permit.
Q. What is the Best Time to travel Zuluk?
The answer is – it depends.
End of March to June is peak season for Zuluk travel. Clear sky, good natural view with blooming rhododendron and greenery in lower altitude.
July to September is considered as offseason due to rain and landslide. If you are keen to travel during this time, a good discount on hotel or home stay will be an award for you.
Again October to November is the best season with chill weather, clear sky provides some of the best view of Himalayan mountain range with Kanchenjunga.
December to January is also top season with snow covered mountain, zigzag roads with Switzerland like feeling.
Q. Is Zuluk worth visiting?
Of course yes. Visit this place in winter, you will be under 4ft fluffy white snow. Having snow, playing with snowball and making a snow man will be unforgettable experience in your life. The summer is also charming with clear view of Himalayan mountain range and multicoloured blooming rhododendron flower. In short Zuluk is absolutely worth to visit.
Q. What is the distance between Zuluk and Gangtok?
It depends upon the road you choose.
If you are travelling Zuluk from Gangtok via Nathula, Kupup, Nathang Valley – the distance is almost 100 km and it takes almost 4 to 5 hrs depending upon the weather condition.
The Route Map is:
Gangtok – Changu Lake – Baba Temple – Kupup – Tukla Valley – Nathang Valley – Lungthung – Thambi – Zuluk
You can travel to Zuluk from Gangtok via rongli also. It is also 110 km distance and takes nearly 4.30 to 5.30 hrs depending upon the weather condition.
The Route Map is :
Gangtok – Singtam – Rangpo – Rorathang – Rongli – Lingtam – Phadamchen – Zuluk
Q. How to reach Zuluk via Gangtok?
Gangtok to Zuluk has two routes to approach:
Route 1: Gangtok – Tsomgo Lake – New Baba Mandir – Nathang Valley – Kupup – Zuluk
Route 2: Kalimpong – Pedong – Aritra – Rhenock – Rongli – Phadamchen – Zuluk
Q. Can I have ATM Availability in Zuluk?
Zuluk has no ATM facility, so withdrawing cash is impossible. So if you have a plan to travel Zuluk, then arrange adequate cash from NJP or Siliguri or Gangtok.
Q. Is private car allowed in Zuluk?
Private car in this part of Sikkim is not allowed, so before planning Zuluk Trip, think it again as only vehicles registered in Sikkim can travel there.