When you get something best beyond expectation, it seems like a priceless gift. For me, it was more of that kind. As this plan was sudden and I decided to go just few days before the trip, I didn’t get time to check the places I was going to in web. Blindly I folded my worries, loosen myself up, packed my bags and stepped out. North Sikkim is beautiful, spectacular. To reach Gurudongmar Lake, we opted to halt at Lachen first and then move ahead.

Thangu

From Lachen we started around 3:15 am. Yes for that we woke up at 2:30 am. It was midnight. Darkness surrounded us and heavy sounds of unseen waterfalls were accompanying us. We opted for playing music instead. It was chilled enough and music was somewhat pleasing our head and sleepy eyes. Even after few times from very far we could spot Lachen as fair of tiny lights surviving in those dark mountains. That view was spectacular. Imagine a dark place and all of a sudden you find bunch of fireflies sitting together in a particular place and keep on twinkling the lights. In one word beautiful. Roads were rough and topsy turvy. Continuous jerks were not a big deal anymore. For your information just sharing that not a single vehicle started their journey towards Gurudongmar alone, all vehicles usually start journey together like a group and because of this we were told not to be late, else that could bring risks. Incase if any of the vehicle faces any accident or risk, there should be enough resources of helping hands. Anyways we saw the morning light coming in again and that was splendid. When it actually lightened bright, we realized we were already in high altitude. We spotted several falls and those falls are far away from human civilization. They were natural and awesome. Tall and fierce falls.

Around 6:15 we halted at Thangu valley. People live there and yes that is a beautiful village. Thangu valley is situated at 14000 ft altitude from sea level. When we got down we clearly understood that the place was colder than before and nature was open to greet us with warm adorable hug. Several wooden homes were living along the clean middle way road which tended to move towards Gurudongmar. All houses were having a unique phenomenon. Actually in Sikkim I guess this is their tradition. The curtains were way very different than other places. They had a zig zag design on The homes were colorful, like blue, green, red and decorated with flowers in front and guarded with firepots and from where hot smokes were coming up to make us feel warm. From Thangu one can easily spot White Mountain hills. Through those red unknown hilly flowers, the height seemed magical. Thangu is a small village with neat scenario. Painter can easily plot their next canvas. There was a point where we could see the green valley which was climbing up in a very tilted way to a monastery. We even discovered the way to go there too. Beside those roads, upon the green valley yaks were all around. Their movements were heard through the bells they were tied to. We wished to go there. But alas!! That road didn’t meet the way of Gurudongmar. For this one must stay at Thangu for 2-3 days. At the time of getting in to the car when I saw long and tall Tibetan Om Mani Padme Hum flags were waving by and chilling wind was touching my ears, I literally felt that I was at heaven.


We left Thangu and were moving towards Lake Gurudongmar. The temperature was decreasing. We crossed several military base camps as we were moving towards China border, Soldiers were walking in series. Fully covered with fur and heavy uniform they were tough and rough. Our car just started moving towards chopta valley . The view was jaw dropping, we all shouted and got down from the car. I had no clue where were we at that point of time neither do I have now. Sky was deep blue, the rocks were sandy brown, valley was green and uniquely picturesque. When we zoomed the vision we spotted some peaks with full of snow. The snowy mountain peaks were shining in the sunlight like diamonds.



After few minutes of journey driver told us to get down to check Gurudongmar Lake. Yes we finally reached. Time was 6:30 around. I got down from my seat and moved my steps 12-20 inches forward and Oh my god !! what was that? You may believe or not but the fact was that I was spellbound. My mouth was shut completely. How can someplace be so serene and calm. I had no idea. You may believe or may not, before stepping down also I was in total blabbering mood. Dancing, Singing in group all along. But the place did something miraculous to me that it just blew my mind with a cold, strong serene aura of nature and sealed my mouth. Sometimes it happens, you feel like crying with joy and pleasure as you too feel blessed. The place was like that. 8-10 people were around in that particular sphere. Complete silence was accompanying my soul and the sound of chilled air that was passing through my ear was different. The blue lake, snowy milky while mountain peak and its undisturbed shadow on the lake. As if I was living in the world of a silent still photography. I sat down, not actually sorry. Something pushed me down to sit for a while. Maybe it was the overwhelming emotion that I was getting from the nature, from the earth or may be the feeling of satisfaction that was being poured into my soul. I was getting myself as the tiniest particle in the universe. How wide and infinite is the universe and the whole thing. At that point of time I was feeling so silly to think of our lives. We are basically nothing in front of this huge infinity. I was smiling, I was silent and I was crying even. Such a mixed feeling it was.

P.S I heard that people face terrible breathing problem in Gurudongmar Lake due to presence of thin air and lack of adequate oxygen. With God's grace I didn't face any problem neither did any of us. We were super cool. We entered into Gurudwara and felt the silence, prayed with holy mind and spirit of seeking good. All I want to request everyone whomever is reading my post to please please visit North Sikkim (Specially Gurudongmar Lake) in your life, recommended at young age. And also it is called a slice of Ladakh (Eventually it is in higher altitude than Ladakh "Gurudongmar lake is at an higher altitude than Pangong Lake and Tsomoriri lake in Ladakh and is definitely more beautiful than Pangong lake." - Tripadvisor). Please do visit and fall in love with it.