Largely heard and visualized through internet , Old silk route was decided upon to relinquish our traveller’s thirst in the Puja Vacation. As the name suggest, Silk Route refers to a network of ancient trade routes connecting Asia, Europe and Africa since 2nd Century BC. How thrilling it was to travel on this ancient route and assume ourselves the travellers of ancient period traversing the dangerous, hazardous route to trade their precious goods , or explore into new kingdoms which later on open the route for the exchange of ideas, knowledge , art , culture and spread of religion.
Skirting through the google map and internet we decided on certain points as our stopover in our journey through the old silk route . On Shasti , we started off in Howrah NJP Satabdi , a tedious journey from Howrah to Siliguri and stayed in a hotel for the night rest . Next day , around 8 am , driver arrived with his White Scorpio at the hotel and with full zeal we started our Old silk route journey .
Day 1 : Siliguri to Mungerjung
Day 2: Mungerjung to Gaddigaon(Aritar )
Day 3 : Gaddigaon to Phadamchen
Day 4 Phadamchen- Zuluk- Thambi Point – Gnathang Valley-Tukla Valley (Old Baba Mandir)-Kupup -Changu Lake – Gangtok
Notes : Carry camphor , Homeopathy medicine , portable oxygen cylinder, and drink warm water and consult a doctor before taking seniors or children to higher altitude . The best way to avoid AMS is to acclimatize. Proper rest and steady rise of altitude help to avoid AMS .
Day 1 :Mungerjung located in Masong district near Kalimpong was our first stop . We stayed in a homestay ,rightfully called ” Teesta View”. The homestay was perched on a ridge of a hillock facing the view of the river Teesta gurgling and meandering through the deep gorges. This spots is an offbeat location , but in near future it will become a very popular tourist spot , not only because of its beauty and serenity but also for the hospitality ,simplicity of the host (Mr. Basant Tamang) and the locals . Spending a night ,in a remote village at 4000ft high , encapsulated in a dimly lit bungalow cushioned by cool fresh breeze ,musical chirping of the insects , distant gushing sound of Teesta river , glittering lights in far off hills ,is truely an impeccable experience for the metro dwellers.
Day 2:Next day after the breakfast , we started off to Gaddigaon (Near Aritar Lake).On its way , first stopped at Tinchuley view point. But due to mist , no good photographs could be taken . Next we stopped for permit for Sikkim entry at the Westbengal Sikkim checkpost . As we passed on ,we stopped at Reshikhola , a picturesque riverside village for some good photographs. Reshikhola with River Reshi gushing over the rocks and boulders and the valley surrounded by forest , with some homestay coming up, is gradually becoming a promising tourist weekend destination . On our way to Aritar ,we stopped at the Vishwa Vinayak Temple to get the blessings of Lord Ganesha . The roads from here were very properly maintained and within half an hour we reached Gaddigaon homestay. After a simple lunch , we strolled towards (15 minutes walk ) Aritar lake and after half an hour of boating in the beautiful lake we retired to our cosy homestay .
Day 3:Till now , we have ascended 4600 ft. As we had seniors we planned to stay at Phadamchen (7000ft approx) and not at Zuluk . We had to get our permits done from Rongli for Phadamchen , Zuluk ,Old baba mandir and gateway to Gangtok.We got Quekhola falls in the way to Phadamchen . Kuekhola Falls is around 100 ft height and a good photography place.
The greenery slopes cladded in dense temperate vegetations , with different species of colourful blooming flowers , varied types of colourful birds , beautiful huts adorned our winding routes to Phadamchen. As we gained altitudes , temperature were dropping . We reached the homestay around lunchtime . It was very windy , and the clouds and mist was surrounding us quite often . It was an overwhelming sight witnessing how the mighty mountain slopes slowly gliding into darkness as the sun sets in a orange-reddish glowing sky giving way to dusk .
DAY4 : As we had seniors we discarded the idea of seeing sunrise at Thambi point at 4 am which shouldnot be otherwise missed . If you are staying in Zuluk , you can trek to Thambi point with a guide to witness the sunrise.
Crossing Zuluk , ascending started through the never ending winding steep roads . With every twist and turns ,the mountain slopes were becoming predominant , gorges getting deeper , clouds, mist and sunlight rhythmically playing ,giving us the pleasure of this fantasy ride. We reached the Thambi point which is situated at the top most point of the Zigzag road at an altitude of 12, 500ft above the sea level. In a clear sky ,Mt. Kanchendzonga visible on one side and the zigzag road on the other side. But we managed to get only the spectacular view of the zig zag road , but couldnot see the Kanchanjunga range as it was covered by clouds and fog . Hot coffee at Thambi point was very refreshing in the chilling windy weather . Next we stopped at a point from where the beauty of Gnathang Valley could be captured in our lenses . As we progressed , the landscape gradually changed into arid land with little or no vegetations and the bare slopes became now silvery black in colour . We saluted the guts of the military people who are garrisoned in this terrain fighting against all odds to give us a free peaceful life. We stopped at the old Baba Mandir to pay our respect to the martyr . The beauty of the elephant lake and the Memencho lake fascinated us . Trek to Memencho lake is possible but as we did not have much time we moved forward crossing the new Baba Mandir to Changu Lake . On the way , we found more small and big lakes , rivulets with small bridges ,waterfalls and colourful prayer flags . Changu lake with its majestic look fascinated us . From Changu Lake we proceeded towards Gangtok , completing a thrilling adventurous enthralling old Silk Route journey.
