Yumthang Valley

Yumthang Valley is a picturesque site in North Sikkim, widely known as the Sikkim's Valley of Flowers Sanctuary. This gorgeous valley, which sits at an elevation of 3500 meters, is sprinkled with an excellent assortment of Himalayan Flora. Yumthang is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty, with over 24 varieties of Rhododendrons blooming in the spring, giving the valley a rose hue. Along with rhododendron trees, the lovely valley is carpeted in vivid Himalayan flowers and herbs, making it a botany enthusiast's paradise in North Sikkim. Yumthang, with its ethereal beauty and spectacular Himalayan views, has become a must-see destination in Sikkim.

Travelers can enjoy the surreal beauty of Sikkim's Yumthang Valley and its surrounding areas with the help of the best Sikkim Tour Package from the North Bengal Guide. Now, explore Yumthang and all the other destinations in Sikkim with complete peace of mind.

Best Time to Visit Yumthang Valley

Yumthang, the valley of flowers can be visited throughout the year. Every season offers different kinds of charm and beauty to relish in Yumthang Valley. The best seasons in the valley are:

Summer (March to June)

Summer is the greatest time to visit Yumthang Valley. This is the season of flower blooming, with some of the country's most diverse Rhododendron species. The temperature ranges from 14°C to 20°C, which is rather pleasant. The temperature can sometimes fall below freezing when it rains.

Monsoon (June to September)

Yumthang experiences exceptionally high rainfall and strong winds during the monsoon season. Hence, it is not a good time to visit this area. The roads become muddy and slick, and the rain frequently causes landslides. The temperatures are in the range of 4°C to 18°C, and while Rhododendron blossom season is past, the Himalayan flowers are still in bloom during the months of June and July.

Autumn (October to November)

While seeing the many varieties of blossoms is believed to be the highlight of Yumthang Valley, the ideal time to see the Eastern Himalayas from here is in the autumn. Travelers may expect beautiful skies and crisp weather, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the valley's wonderful atmosphere. The temperature ranges from 7°C to 15°C, making it an ideal time to visit Yumthang's picturesque locations.

Winter (December to February)

Yumthang Valley has cooler temperatures for the majority of the year, however, temperatures can drop as low as -17°C in the winter, with highs in the range of 8°C. Snow is everywhere, and while it is beautiful to see, the harsh temperatures may not be to everyone's liking.

Places to Visit in Yumthang Valley (At a Glance)

• Yumthang Hot Spring
• Lachung Monastery
• Zero Point
• Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

Places to Visit in Yumthang Valley (In Detail)

There are lots of places to visit in and around Yumthang Valley. The prominent ones are as mentioned below.

Yumthang Hot Spring

Yumthang Hot Spring, one of Sikkim's many well-known springs, is nestled a short distance from Yumthang. An iron bridge has been built over the Lachung River, which must be crossed to reach the spring area, which is within walking distance from the valley. The high sulphur content of spring water is thought to have curative and medicinal effects; for guests who want to bathe in this natural water, the spring has been piped into tanks in two huts, one for men and one for women.

Lachung Monastery

Throughout Sikkim, you will get to see several Buddhist monasteries. The Lachung monastery may have a similar appearance to other monasteries that you can see in Sikkim, but the views from outside the monument more than make up for it. The interior of the edifice also houses antique statues and wall murals; also, the monastery's yearly mask dance, which takes place in the winter, is a prominent attraction.

Zero Point

Yume Samdong, or Zero Point, is located 13 kilometers from Yumthang Valley and takes about an hour to go to. It begins where the road ends, at an elevation of 4500 meters, with stunning views of the snow-covered mountainside and the confluence of the three rivers that flow through the region. It is one of Yumthang's nicest spots to visit, especially in the winter. The journey to Zero Point also provides a spectacular experience. The path you will be driving through twists and ascends in altitude, the scenery changes from verdant meadows to snowy highlands.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

One of the best places to visit in Yumthang Valley is undoubtedly Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. It was founded in 1984 and now houses an astonishing 24 kinds of Rhododendron. The entire valley appears to explode in a brilliant tapestry of stunning beauty during the blossoming season, emphasizing Yumthang Valley's main charm. During peak flowering season, rare birds such as the Ibis Bill, Himalayan Monal, and Wood Snipe, as well as a variety of other species, can be seen, making it a highlight for bird lovers. Native species such as the Musk Deer and the Red Panda can also be spotted roaming freely in the wild.

Things to Do in Yumthang Valley (At a Glance)

• Wander around Yumthang Chu
• Visit Zero Point.
• Short Excursion to Lachen.
• Trip to Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
• Try Local Delicacies.
• Take Bath in Hot Spring

Things to Do in Yumthang Valley (In Detail)

There are lots of things to do in Yumthang Valley. The most popular ones are as mentioned below:

Wander around Yumthang Chu

Yumthang Chu is a river that runs through the valley's Rhododendron refuge. It is a renowned tourist destination that can be found on the road to Yumthang. It's surrounded by stunning blossoms and green shrubbery, making for fantastic photo opportunities or just a nice place to sit back and rest. Yumthang Hot Spring is located on the right bank of the river and is easily accessible.

Go for a Trip to Zero Point

One of the best things to do in Yumthang Valley is to go for a trip to Zero Point. Travelers can also take a short trip to Zero Point, which is about 25 kilometers away from Yumthang. The location is named after its great height of 15,000 feet, as well as the fact that it is where the motorable road terminates. The lovely snow-covered surface and mountains will be visible to travelers.

Short Excursion to Lachen

Lachen is a beautiful scenic village close to Yumthang Valley, making it an ideal site to explore hiking opportunities in the vicinity. The approximate distance between them is around 75 km and takes not more than 3 hours. Lachen, at roughly 3000 meters above sea level, serves as a base camp for hikes to the Muguthang Valley and the Chopta Valley.

Trip to Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

Another best thing to do in Yumthang valley is having a trip to Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. The famed Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is located inside this valley and is a fantastic tourist attraction to visit in May. Around forty species of rhododendron trees and plants can be found here, treating the nature lover within. In short, visiting the sanctuary will provide immense joy to you.

Try Local Delicacies

Yumthang Valley's high altitude makes it difficult to support a lot of food enterprises; yet, there are many local eateries in Lachung and along the journey to Yumthang. Rice, along with fish, dal, and native vegetables, is a staple in the region. Momos are also fairly widespread in this section of Sikkim, thanks to Tibetan influence. The modest Maggi, of course, is available at every other vendor to satisfy the immediate hunger of the travelers.

Take Bath in Hot Spring

One of the best things to do in Yumthang Valley is to take bath in the hot spring. A hot spring, one of Sikkim's most popular, is located at a short distance from the valley. To get to the foamy hot spring, cross the iron bridge that has been built over the Lachung river. Get your mind and body revitalized with sulfur and other healing properties.

F.A.Q about Yumthang Valley