Nathula Pass, Sikkim (Unexplored Lands)

A trip to Gangtok is not complete without a visit to Nathula Pass.

The best part of the visit to this pass is the journey itself. The drive on the NH31A, an all-weather metalled road of 114km from Siliguri to Gangtok is filled with never ending scenic views. The green waters of Teesta River on the white sand shores travels with us for more than 33km on this highway. The road leads through conifers and bamboo forests  right up to Gangtok.

                                                                      (Picture from Google Search)

Nathula lies 56km east of Gangtok,at the height of 14,140 ft above sea level.

The Nathula highway is one of the highest road constructed on Indian soil by the BRO, (Border Road Organisation). Their motto “we don’t build roads in sky,” is proved on these lofty and frozen terrains of the Himalayas. The journey from Gangtok on these roads is like a ride into fantasy lands. The mist and the white snow all around, the zigzagging roads, gurgling falls are what we encounter all through our drive. As we near Nathula we enter the army area and can see the army deployed everywhere. This region falls under the restricted zone and prior permission is needed to visit here. The vehicles are to be parked at a short distance from the pass and we have to climb up quite a few steps to reach this pass. Nathula pass lies on the Indo China border and is guarded by the soldiers of both the countries on either sides of the barbed wire boundary. The view of the land of both the countries just separated by barbed wires, holds many untold stories of war.

The Tri coloured flag unfurled fluttering in the wind makes our heart swell with pride and our hands reach up to salute the soldiers guarding our country selflessly at freezing temperatures.

En route To Nathula Pass

The other places to visit around Nathula-

Changu Lake or Tsogmo Lake is a frozen lake at an altitude of 12,130 ft  meaning ‘source of the lake' in Bhutia language and is situated about 35 km from Gangtok. It is a 1 km oval shaped lake with a depth of 15 meters.

Yak Ride At Changu Lake

Baba Harbhajan Mandir is located at the Kupkup valley 60km from Nathula. It is the shrine of a deceased soldier, Harbhajan Singh who is believed to be still alive protecting the soldiers in these terrain till today.