Description

Gnathang Valley or Nathang Valley is more popularly identified as the "Ladakh of the East India". Situated at the height of 13,000 ft. above the sea leve,l Nathang Valley is one of the most exquisite places in Old-Silk-Route, surrounded by snow-capped mountain landscape. There is also a stream crisscrossing the valley and the colored prayer flags flutter on the mountain-road edges which adds more to its appeal. Jelep La and Chinese Watch Towers are clearly visible from Nathang valley in naked eyes. Nathang valley area is being developed as a Ski point in Sikkim and now it is the closest ski resort to Calcutta. Nathang is the highest location to stay in the Indian part of the Old Silk Route.

Duration

Distance: 750km from Kolkata.
Time: Nearest airport is the Pakyong Airport from where it takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Nathang Valley by car.
Other options are train to NJP from Kolkata and flight to Bagdogra Airport from Kolkata. From NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra, it takes around 7 hours to reach by car.
Usually tourists take a halt in Gangtok or any other close-by destinations and then proceed to Nathang Valley to avoid long hours of tiring journey

Best Time to Visit

Nathang Valley exudes a different appeal in each season. Spring and summer sees lush greeneries and flowers blooming in Nathang Valley. During autumn, Gnathang looks golden as the grass dries up and in winter it gets embellished with layers of carpets of snow.
Gnathang valley can be best experienced in snow. However, the temperature may seem too severe as t can reach even below minus degrees.
Monsoon should be avoided as Gnathang experiences heavy cloud cover, dull and gloomy, cold weather and also torrential rain.

Hotel Range

2000/- to 5000/- per room per night excluding GST and Tax. There are mostly homestays in Sikkim.

Tips

Go for a nature walk and visit the nearby Hindu temple and Buddhist monastery. You can also spot colorful migratory birds.
Visit the sunrise points of Lungthung and Gyamochen which are just 5km from Nathang valley.
You can also trek uphill to Eagle's Nest Bunker.
For other closey destinations, you can visit Zuluk, Lungthung - Dhupidara, Thambi View point, Tukla valley, Changu Lake or Tsongmo Lake, Kupup, Baba Mandir etc. You can also visit other lakes like Jorepokhri, Green Lake and Menmecho. From Four Lake point, you can see all the four lakes.