Excursion to Tsomgo Lake – Zuluk
Early morning, get ready to be picked up from Hungry Jack taxi stand, Gangtok. You will then drive to Zuluk via Tsomgo Lake. The Zuluk route takes you on an upward climb from Gangtok to the higher altitudes to view the natural wonders of the Himalayas.
The first stop of the day is at the oval-shaped Tsomgo Lake (9842 feet above sea level), spanning 1 km in length and is 50 feet deep. It is considered sacred by the local people. During winters, the entire lake is frozen and the surroundings covered in snow. Walk around it or take the ropeway (the highest in Asia), the view from any angle is mesmerizing. Yak ride depends on availability.
From Tsomgo Lake, you will head to the New Baba Mandir, a small shrine dedicated to an Indian soldier Baba Harbjhan with an interesting story to it.
Next, you will proceed towards Zuluk, a small village on the stunning Old Silk Route. En-route choose to take a small hike to Memencho Lake and stop by the Elephant Lake View point for some fantastic views of the Himalayas.
You will reach Zuluk by evening. The Zuluk road has 32 hairpin bends, which makes for a thrilling drive. This was once a transit point to the historic Silk Route from Tibet to India. Situated at a height of 9400 ft, it offers stunning views of the Eastern Himalayas. On a clear day, you might even catch sight of Mt. Khangchendzonga. In winters, it gets dark by 4 pm.
Overnight stay is at Zuluk. Check into your stay for the night and warm yourself with a hearty dinner.