Last summer we visited west Sikkim. We reached New Jalpaiguri Station (the gateway to North Bengal,Sikkim & Assam) and drove to Kaluk alongside the the Teesta river.Kaluk is at a distance of approx 90km from Siliguri town.
The road was well maintained and the surroundings lush green, making the 4.5 hr drive absolutely refreshing . Cars can be booked either from the station or arranged by your hotel.Vehicles on cost sharing basis are also available.
Near Jorthang, the road bifurcated and we were joined by the Rangeet river which is distinctive from the Teesta by its colour; the colour of this river is dark moss green while the colour of the Teesta is sea green
Kaluk is at an altitude of approx 6000 ft and is the buffer zone area of the famous Versay Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Our guesthouse for this tour was Ghonday Village Resort - we were charmed by the pretty entrance and get up.One can book this through www.ghondayresort.com
Ghonday Village Resort is located in the beautiful countryside in the sublime of the mighty Mt. Kanchendzonga range.As is the tradition here, our hosts gave us a grand welcome in typical Sikkimese style .
We were bowled over by the hospitality and warmth of these 2 dear staffs
The rooms were very clean, warm and comfortable and one can sleep well even in the bitter cold of the night.
The resort was blooming with flowers from every direction; some pink primroses here.
Roses in bunches were in abundance, I had never seen these many roses in one bunch before.
We were told that these flowers grow on their own.
Beautiful pink flowers, I am not sure of the name.
Striped lilies.
Red roses growing in the wild.
The view of the sunrise through our window was amazing - the sky turned crimson and then gradually morning set in.
The early morning sky against the backdrop of the Kanchandzongha Range . Actually we heard cocks crowing here at dawn.
Saw this willow tree just around the corner, cricket bat''s are traditionally made from the trunks of these trees .
This was a pretty grass flower peeping out of no where.
These red poppies grew on their own alongside the stone stairway at the back of the resort.
Blue buds yet to bloom.
Light blue flowers - these are seen almost everywhere in Sikkim.