A Tapestry of Nature : North Sikkim

We all have heard about Kerela as God’s own Country or Kashmir as Heaven on Earth with lacs of tourists visiting there every year. But nestled in the lap of Himalayas lies another paradise, with is unparalleled beauty, a harmonious blend of snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, vibrant flora, serene lakes, and an ever-changing sky. It’s a place where nature’s magic is alive in every moment, and where you can lose yourself in the stunning landscapes. And at the northern part of the state lies one of the most untouched, pristine, and captivating regions of India—a place where nature’s beauty seems almost surreal, the North Sikkim.

The place felt like walking through a dream spun from snowflakes and silence.

It takes around 5-6 hours to reach from Gangtok to Lachen, a small village in North Sikkim. The day you reach there, is reserved for rest and aclimatisation.

So, the next day when I woke up in Lachen as the world slowly blinked awake — mist clinging to the hills, prayer flags swaying gently like whispered blessings. My sweetest bnb host informed that there was a snowfall last night and I am going to get the best views today. Excited, as I stepped out, the mountains seemed to breathe around me, each bend in the road revealing something more magical than the last. I pressed my forehead to the window, watching as we climbed toward the clouds.

And then came Gurudongmar Lake. I don’t think I’ll ever find the right words. Tucked away at over 17,000 feet above sea level, it felt like the edge of the world — or perhaps the beginning of it.I t wasn’t just a lake; it was like time stood still and held its breath. The water, frozen in stillness, shifting shades of cobalt and silver with the changing light. The air,  thin, crisp, and sacred. Prayer flags flutter in the cold wind, adding bursts of color against the pale backdrop mirrored the sky in such a way that I couldn’t tell where the earth ended and heaven began. My fingers were numb, my cheeks stung with cold, but I was utterly spellbound. Something about that place….it felt divine, like the mountains were keeping a secret they’d never tell.

Next stop, Yumthang Valley, where the world softened — feels like a Himalayan fairytale. Nestled between pine-clad mountains, the valley is a mosaic of color and calm. In spring, it comes alive with thousands of blooming rhododendrons — red, pink, purple — carpeting the valley floor like nature's own festival. I wandered without thinking, without needing to speak. Just feeling. Just floating.

On my return to Lachung, tucked under layers of wool and wonder, I’m left with a strange kind of peace. North Sikkim doesn’t shout — it hums, it breathes, it lingers. I feel like I’ve brushed up against something ancient, something that changed me in ways I won’t understand until much later.

If this was a dream, I hope I never fully wake up.