OLD SILK ROUTE-SILLERY , ICCHEY GAON , ARITAR, ZULUK , NATHANG VALLEY , TUKLA .
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| 95 ZIG-ZAG CROSSING |
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| MAP OF OLD SILK ROUTE |
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Unlike other travellers off-beat route , virgin location and rustic life always attract me. If not always , I try and respond to the callings of HIMALAYAS.This time too I do not regret the call and unlaced myself , backpacked , and rolled on to " breathe fresh " . This time I am accompanied by 8 other women of age group 6 to 50 and above. Being the Organizer of the group I had to do lots of research work of he place and in the process I came to know that the circuit of OLD SILK ROUTE comprising of places like Icchey Gaon, Sillery Gaon , Rishikhola, Aritar, Zuluk, NAthang Valley , Tukla are treasure house of natural beauty and innocense drrops like silk from the inhabitants of the place. That was enough for me to roll on.
Journey Time : December 25- 31st - 2010
From Howrah Station we boarded PADATIK express which leaves at 10: 40 P.M and reaches New Jalpaiguri at about 9 :00 A.M . Like the usual train delay hazzards we too fell prey to the malfunction of the system and reached NJP at 11: 30 A.M. We were received by our car driver , sent by Dilip Jee. Dilip Tamang, the owner of Nirmala Resort in Sillery Gaon , is one among few villagers in this circuit who control and support the ECO- TOURISM CONCEPT in Silk Route region . A gentleman , straight , simmple and untouched by the earthly meanness which is evolving as a blackspot in tourism sector.
All the above mentioned places lie in border area of WEST BENGAL AND
EAST SIKKIM. Icchey gaon , Sillery Gaon , Rishikhola, Pedong are in
KALIMPONG distruct of West Bengal and is surrounded by Himalayan Range
in one side and the other ornamented by lush green forest, Leaving
Pedong Rongli is the place , bordered by Sikkim and West Bengal where
one has to make inner line permit to go for the uphill journey of EAST
SIKKIM. First halt , was Aritar .Aritar a region in East Sikkim of India
under Rongli Sub-Division, is known for its Lake and landscaped
beauty. It is located on the edge of the Himalayas.
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| Aritar DAK BUNGLOW |
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| Room of Aritar DAK BUNGLOW |
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ARITAR DAK BUNGLOW
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| Garden and Lawn infront of the Dak Bunglow |
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ARITAR LAKE
We reache d ARITAR Dak Bunglow , the place they made arranged for our stay at about 8 p.m P.M . Dead tired we were eager to have our dinner and sulk down in our beds but to our utmost surprise we found the place totally empty , without any Caretaker or any any concerned person. Being the leader of the team I along with the driver started looking out for person concerned and in the midst of darkness I could not figure out anything. After a short while , appeared the Caretaker and hurriedly let us in into the Dakbunglow. Simple and ashamed of his absence the Caretaker comforted us with his simplicity , while queried about his absence , he said that he was sure that it's high time by now that any party will arrive , so he went for a stroll. Quite efficiently he made Maggi for our two little ones and there after arranged for Roti and Chicken Curry for us. I was too tired to look around the place and thus after a quick dinner and formal conversation with all my team members I slipped inside heavy - comfy blanket.
The Dak Bunglow , founded in 1856 , a heritage
bunglow is guarded by dense Pine forest at the back and faces lush-
green lawn with flowers all around and swirling lanes crossing the
BUnglow and losing its soul in the deep pine forest. It is a place for repose and relaxation of mind and body. But we did not have much time for relaxation as we have to proceed for our next destination. So hurriedly I made round to all the rooms and inquired if they were OK. Yes they were ,and were ready to rock on the wheels . Thus after a warm - cozy bath we rolled on our wheels and reached Hotel Aditya , Mrs. Geeta Prsdhan's hotel for breakfast. THey welcomed us with a warm smile and served us hot puri with sabji. Smile comes free with every service provider in SILK ROUTE . Unlike other tours , where every meal follow with a payment strategy this tour do not have this hazardous part as all inclusive package and all the payments was to be made to DILIP TAMANG , with whom I coordinated the tour.
Soon after breakfast we went for Aritar Lake , a man made lake with mountains guarding it and quietness giving a sense of serenity all around. After a mild photo session we headed for ZULUK, our nest destination for 2 days.
Lingtam , on the way to Zuluk
Zuluk , a sleepy Hamlet surrounded by huge mountains and and abode of clouds , CLOUD WARRIORS( army regiment ) and simple innocent people is 125 Km Away of Aritar and time taken is approx 3 hrs. to reach . The permit made in Rongli is a must to reach the place as checking is done on road and for the permit one requires passport size photograph(2) , Photocopy of I-Card like Pan card, Voter Icard , Adhar Card and Nationality proof for FOREIGN TOURISTS Along with visa ( Other requirement for foreign tourists is know known to me.
We reached Zuluk at about 2pm. and as expected we were welcomed with a gush of chilled wind, puffy clouds and sweet - simple smiles of the Villagers.
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| Clouds , a constant companion in Zuluk |
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| One of our HOST in Zuluk |
A stroll in the paths of Zuluk
After little confusion about our staying option that is being arranged by Dilip Jee we came to know our stay is being fixed for the day was in Palzor Home Stay , which is one of the oldest Home stay option in Zuluk. The owner of the Palzor is incredibly good and warm hearted person. I was truly fortunate to come across such simple human being , now rarely see.
It was time for Lunch already and my group members were literally hungry ,Passang hurriedly took us to the cooking and dining area which is a minute away from our Home Stay . The dining place is not luxurious or highly decorated as ZUluk is devoid of such establishments yet and is a simple village at the lap of HIMALAYA , but cleanliness and simplicity is the essence of the place. Added to it is the loving hospitality of Passang's mother with a humble smile on her face she served us steaming rice, dal , sabji and Egg curry . It was a delicious Lunch. Our young group of ladies did not opt for rest rather wanted to explore the place a bit .
Zuluk is famous not for sunrise but sunset , the western sky randomly plays with hues of orange to purple and create a magnificent scene all around.This splendid mountain villages , better known as "Pockets of HIMALYAS" is the landmark of this Himalayan kingdom. One
visualizes the sensuous soft-cotton-wool mist that envelopes everything
in this environment. Visibility is near zero as sunset is about to capture the valley but still that does not
deter one's enthusiasm and one strives hard to get a sneak peekof the beauty of the place.
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| SUNSET from Zuluk |
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Thus we experienced a memorable sunset with colours playing vibrantly with the clouds and mists ,it as December end and chilled atmosphere forced us to enter one room and as the village was in a envelope of Darkness . It was terrible cold and we were advised by Passang to keep the taps of our Toilet remain open slightly or otherwise we will not get water the next morning as it will freeze. We did so and till dinner we were engrossed in discussion under warm - soft quilt .
In this context I would like to mention Palzore home stay have in total 5 rooms , 3 triple bedded rooms , 1 double bedded and 1 four bedded room.
Next morning after a fast - tasty breakfast with hot - steamy Noodles we rolled on for the whole day tour to the following places :
Thambi View point, Laxmi Chowk, Nathang Valley (above 14000ft.), Tukla Kalapokhari, Tukla Baba
Mandir, Tukla valley, Jelep La Pass View, Zig-zag road and reach Kupup Lake.
Overnight stay at Zuluk.
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| THAMBI VIEW POINT |
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| THE LITTLE PRINCESS AND THE YOUNGEST OF ALL WITH HER MOTHER |
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| 95 ZIG-ZAG ROAD ALSO KNOWN AS "BHOOL BHULAYIA" |
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| ADI BABA MANDIR -- BABA HARBHAJAN SINGH'S BUNKER |
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| KUPUP LAKE |
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Our stay in Zuluk was much better than it was expected , more because of the warm hospitality of Passan' our host's family and He himself, he was a jewel of a person. He is their to extend his hand for help to all the tourist who reach Zuluk. When our car rolled on for our next destination , Sillery Gaon i SURPRISINGLY NOTICED MY EYES WERE WET , BECUASE i HAD TO LEAVE BEHING THESE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE BEHIND WHOM I KNOW NOT WHEN TO MEET AGAIN.
The road to sillery was good until the last 5 Km. which is Kaccha Road and is quite bumpy so the last 5 Kms took arounf 45 minutes to reach NIRMALA RESORT where the little children of the resort were waiting for us to receive us with a smile. The little children welcomed us with warm gesture and did not allowed us to carry our luggage instead they did the same for us. I was again drowned in my emotion and was overwhelmed by their innocence , helping attitude and happy faces. I thought for a moment that it costs us nothing to give a smile to others but we often act as miser in this and conceal within us the happy energy of Universe which we can always spread to share our happiness. We reached our respective cottages and soon after the Lady Mrs. Tamang came to greet us with hot tea followed with buckets full of hot water so to fresh ourselves. Sillery Gaon is like a painted picture, it is too beautiful to be expressed in words. NIRMALA RESORT is situated at the best place of Sillery with a backdrop of pine forest and facing gigantic Kanchenzangha with her other companions .
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| Sillery facing Himalayan range |
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NIRMALA RESORT, SILLERY
The sky sporting with various hues before sunrise
As Sillery sank into darkness with sunset , chilled wind grasped the place and we took shelter inside warm quilts , though owner of the resort suggested us to have a camp fire outside in the lawn but we dared not to face the chilled wind of KANCHENDZANGHA. My team members preferred the accompany of hot tea and snacka inside the cottage room along with non- stop ADDA session. In the mean time I went outside to see the charm of SILVERY KANCHENDZANGHA and got spellbound by the surrounding beauty. Mesmerized is the word which is structuring in my mind now . Later I went the Kitchen to enquire about the dinner Menu and also to spent some time with the locals . They were all busy to serve the best to their guests and one should learn the art of innocence hospitality from these village people . We ordered for hot coffee , made maggi for our Kids and they served us all with a free smile always. Dinner served at right time , hot , steamy and spicy . We bid bye to silvery night and cuddled ourselves in the warmth of the quilt.
The next day smiled upon us with a clear-sunny sky and as soon as we opened the door of our rooms dear KANCHENDZANGHA too greeted us with a glimmering smile. O Lord you are too kind to paint the world with such beautiful things and not for a moment thought to be a miser on gifting MOTHER EARTH with such priceless treasure.
All our members were bubbling with energy and the crystal clear sky acted as a booster to it. Gopa, my dear friend came out as always with a cheer in her face, and started shaking her legs ...she was a cheer-leader and a very good companion who can at once make the co-travellers bloom with happiness. Seeing her dancing happily , the girls of NIRMALA RESORT too are overjoyed and watched out team enthusiastically. Now it's time to say ADIEU to dear Sillery and ever loving Himalaya and after a proper breakfast we got ready for the journey towards home. All the little children of NIRMALA along with its owner warmly said us goodbye and all of them helped us with our luggage and settle down in our car.
Our journey concluded. I thank from the bottom of my heart to two Kids and two senior citizens of the tour who always guided us , helped us with precious advise and with a smile coped up with inconvenient situations.
OLD SILK ROUTE IS A NATURE'S GIFT TO US. IT'S VIRGINITY TOUCHES SOME VERY INNER CHORD AND THE HOSPITALITY OF THE PEOPLE MAKES ONE FEEL VERY IMPORTANT BEING OF EARTH WHOSE EXISTENCE MATTERS. I WANT TRUE TRAVELLERS TO EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF POCKET OF HIMALAYA - CALLED SILK ROUTE .
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