Heaven is not a place you go when you die; it is that moment in life when you feel alive. And for me, my home is in Heaven and I’m just traveling through this world !!! The gigantic peaks of the Himalayas, variegated flora and the fauna and some breathtaking views of the Mt. Kanchenjunga make Sikkim a paradise for travelers, backpackers, and researchers. This tiny yet majestic state also serves as a home to so many hidden and unexplored places. Zero point in North Sikkim is one amongst them.
On route to Lachung, North Sikkim
With district headquarters in Mangan, North Sikkim is the seventh least populous district in the country. Most of the people of the state reside near Mangan that is about 2000 feet above sea level. The high altitude makes it hard to sustain life as we move further north.
On route to Lachung
How to reach Zero point, Lachung, Yumthang Valley: –
Almost all the modes of transportations are available to visit Sikkim. Airways, railways, and roadways connect Sikkim with other parts of the country. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest railhead to Gangtok that connects the city with all the major parts of the country. There are a number of trains from cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, Chennai, Kochi, and Bengaluru. On reaching New Jalpaiguri station, the best way to reach Gangtok is to take a shared taxi that you will get just outside the station and charges will be around INR 200-250. For train bookings, visit IRCTC.
North Sikkim shares a sensitive border with the People’s Republic of China and Indian army heavily patrols the area. Therefore, entry is only possible on a guided tour that can be arranged in Gangtok. For more details on the permit, you can refer to Darjeeling tourism website.
Remember to bargain with 2-3 agencies before booking one. I booked one for 1500 INR for 2 days 1-night covering Lachung, Yumthang and Zero Point that included food, stay and travel.
Note: – A Xerox of any photo identity card and two photos will be required in order to obtain the permit.
I was keen to explore Zero Point Sikkim as I was fascinated by the fact that it is the last outpost of civilization. My journey to the Zero Point started when I got into a taxi early morning at Gangtok. Few tourists also joined in the same taxi, as it was a shared journey.
The road journey from Gangtok to Zero Point is one of the lushest road trips I had ever traversed on. Pollution!! Ohh this terminology does not exist in the dictionary of North Sikkim. I am out of words for the magical landscape you witness during this entire road trip.
On route to Yumthang Valley
The weather in the whole journey is almost unpredictable. You never know when snow can welcome you. Numerous waterfalls add on to the charm of the trip. After having few breaks in the whole ride, the taxi arrived at Lachung.
You can check the current weather on AccuWeather.
Lachung:
A hill station town with an elevation of about 9,600 feet, Lachung offers some astonishing views of the snow-clad Himalayas with Lachung and Lachen rivers in its vicinity. Located approximately 125 kms from Gangtok, it is the first night halt for the tourist as it already becomes dark until you arrive here. Most of Lachung’s inhabitants are of Lepcha, Tibetan descent and the language spoken here is Nepali, Lepcha, and Bhutia. You can easily explore the town by foot, as it is a minuscule village filled with amazing people and serene surroundings. To read more on Lachung refer to Lachung Wikipedia.
Lachung city
On the way to Yumthang Valley
Yumthang Valley:
Popularly known as “Valley of Flowers,” some towering Himalayan peaks surround Yumthang Valley standing at an elevation of 3564 meters. It takes 2 hours to reach Yumthang Valley, which is at a distance of 24 km from Lachung. With over 24 species of Rhododendron, it is home to Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Yumthang Valley route
The valley has a thermal spring, although the water can get quite dirty. A direct journey from Gangtok until Yumthang is not feasible as it becomes dark very early around 5:00 pm and roads are very foggy with almost zero visibility. Also, there is no staying option in Yumthang.To read more on Yumtahng refer to Yumthang Valley Wikipedia.
River flowing across Yumthang Valley
Yumthang Valley
Zero Point Sikkim:
Also known as Yumesamdong, Zero point Sikkim stands at an altitude of 15,300 feet above mean sea level (23 km’s from Yumthang Valley) and is the last outpost of civilization. The road ends here!!! The drive from Yumthang Valley to Zero Point is through the curving mountainous amidst the rugged piece of land of geographic region and could be a lifetime experience.
The Zig Zag routes
Zero Point Sikkim is the place where three rivers meet with snow-clad mountains in the vicinity offering some thrilling views. There is hardly any vegetation in Zero Point as it remains snow covered for the most of the year but still, you can see yaks grazing in the snow in search of vegetation. Due to the high altitude of Zero Point, oxygen in the air is low and there can be breathing problems for few.
Zero Point Sikkim (15855 feet)
Zero point Sikkim covered with snow
Note: Since the place is in a short distance to the international border between India and China, a special permission is required to go to Zero Point Sikkim and the driver may charge few additional INR for the same.
After spending an hour at zero Point, our taxi headed back all the way to Gangtok.
For more details on North Sikkim refer Wikitravel.
Walking Bridge at Zero Point Sikkim
Zero Point Sikkim
Best time to visit Zero point Sikkim:
The best season for visiting Yumthang Valley, Lachung and Zero Point Sikkim starts in late February and continues up to mid-June, when thousands of colorful flowers are in full bloom. However, to enjoy a clear sky and brilliant view of the mountains, the September – December season would be ideal.
Snow covered Zero Point Sikkim
I tried to make this post as short as possible but the beauty of the place did not allow it to be that way. If you are really looking for a place which resembles Heaven, it is North Sikkim!!!! So what are you waiting for???
I used the following backpack during this trip and will highly recommend it. (Quechua Forclaz 60 Backpack)
Do follow me on Instagram as I am regularly posting travel posts and stories over there. Also, you can message me on Instagram if you want to join me on my next trip.
Are you looking for some essential travel gear? Check out my post on What’s in my Backpack.
Hope you would have enjoyed reading this blog post. To get regular updates on upcoming blog posts from On a Cheap Trip, please subscribe by entering your name and E-mail address in the Newsletter below. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest as well as on Twitter.
56 thoughts on “Zero Point, Sikkim – Where Civilians Road Ends to Heaven”
Wonderful post.. I would like to check how safe is it to visit Lachung and Zero point with 3 year old kid
Depends on the time you are visiting, avoid visiting from December to March, rest should be fine.
We r four friends planning to visit yumthang valley and zero point on first week November 2019. Is there any possibilities for inaccessible this place at this time
the place is accessible in November so no need to worry…..
I visited Sikkim ( Latching , Yumthang valley & also Zero point ) last year ( August 2019) .It’s a magnificent place.
Thank you so much for the lovely pics and so much info. I will be traveling with my friends in Nov. Hope I will be able to cover all the places.
I am planning on visiting the area including point zera, towards the end of january/early february. I realise this is not the best time but do you see any issues I would face. I am Canadian and snow is part of my life
The only issue you may face is of road closure which may happen if it snows heavily.
you should go there on jan-march if ur a snow lover …and avoid packages these fags will charge you a lot n do nthng they will just forward ur data to sikkim tourism and they will eat up 60 ℅ of the price for nthng . and u cant travell in shared cab as only indians can travel in shared cabs only u have to hire the whole cab for your journey so make sure you travel with 4-5 of your friends or family. just avoid packages tge hotel where u might stay can arrange all for u thats it …
In Sikkim, Is there any way to witness snowfall or snow during May end 2019.
Most unlikely!!!
We are planning to visit 0 point, Lachen, Nathula Pass, Yamtham, Lachung, Yume Samdong & chopta vally in the last week of June 2019. Can you suggest, where we can see snow? All above places are cover in 5 days?
Yes, you can see all the places in 5 days. Chances to see snow in the month of June is rare.
i am planning to visit yumthang valley and zero point on march 3rd March 2019. Is there any possibilities for inaccessible this place at this time. I would like to experience snow covered.
Hey santhosh, the place will be accessible in the month of March. Zero point may be snow covered at that time, chances of fresh snow is less though!! Happy travelling!!
We are planning to go to zero point in march mid or march end is it fine to go at this time. Will there be any heavy some fall and blockage of road?. Please suggest some good idea
March is one of the best time to visit the Zero Point Sikkim. No there wont be any road blockage due to snow in March. You may find some snow at the Zero Point but not on the roads. Hope that helps. Happy journey 🙂
Hi,
We are planning to visit 0 point, Yamtham & Lachung last week of 11 th dec’18 along with my 4.5 years child. Can you share what would be the approx cost per person .
REPLY
Hi Rina, I do not organize any trips. And I highly doubt of the routes being open in the month of December. It snows a lot at that time of the year and it would be treacherously cold. You may contact my friend Dorjay to seek information who do organize trips over there. Contact no: 09775972527
no u cant take ur bby in winter session…nd smthing 4000 for 2 days frm silliguri..
Hi Abhishek. You totally sold North Sikkim to me! 😉
May I know if its a good idea to travel to Zero point with two kids (5 and 2 years)
Would I be able to greet snow in Oct end?
Hi Shaily, thank you so much. I am glad that you liked it :)Zero point will be extremely chilly, but still, you can take your kids over there. It may snow at that time of the year, you need to be lucky enough to experience a live snow!! Happy travelling
Hi,
We are planning to visit 0 point, Yamtham & Lachung last week of Nov’18. Can you share what would be the approx cost per person .
Sorry, I do not organize any treks as of now!!
Go with a shared cab 2night 3days Lachen, Gurudongmar, Lachung, Yumthang Valley is 2200 per head. +250-300 each if you wanna visit Kala Pahar and Kala Patthar. This is not included in the trip. You have to pay to your driver.
Hi Sidd Thanks.
One more thing is it ok to visit 0 point along with my 1.5 years old child
Yes Kaushik, its perfectly fine to take your child over there.
I would suggest not to take the baby in Zero Point., till Yumthang Valley it is okay. The radiation is very high in Zero Point and it may affect the young skin.
I would say no. The climate is too cold also when you are planning to visit
Hi Siddhart, do you recommend any trip organizer who offers this package? Can you please share his contact no?
You can book these packages once you reach Gangtok!
We are planning for sikkim during mid of September will there be snow in zero point. Over all how much it costs per person?
Hi Lakshmi, chances of snow at Zero Point at that time of the year is highly unlikely. For a north Sikkim tour of 2 days, the charges per person are around INR 1500.
Thank you Abhishek… Is it the ideal time to travel between September to November?
In September, chances of landslides are quite high and roads may get closed due to this. November will be a good time to visit the place.
can anyone suggest any tour operators to me for zero point tour.. i am exhausted by searching,
Hi kumudini, contact Doorjay Lama(9775972527), he will help you regarding this.
Hi, Where do I see Snow in May2018 @ North Sikkim?
may be at zero point but not always. You can snow on goechala trek.
at zeropoint, u will get snow in may’18
Hi abiskek , can u pls share the contact information of cab rental u took from Gangtok to zero point
Hi Chetan you can contact Dorjay Lama ( 09775972527)
Very good information & Congratulations
Are you travelling with group / , ,,,, ?? Pl inform
Thanks
Thank you 🙂 No Mostly I travel solo!!
Mountain sickness is not very uncommon…take proper acclimatization time and mountain sickness prophylaxis…dont be very active in zero point.
yes totally agree with you Sahana !!!
Words will fall short to describe to the beauty of Sikkim. Thanks for sharing those eyesoothing pictures and vivid descriptions
Yes Sikkim is indeed very beautiful !!!
Thanks Sugandh 🙂
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
lourdesmr
Thanks 🙂 In a week or so.
Superb bro….. Got the required which I was seeking for…. You can suggest staying and eating options too.
Thanks 🙂 Yes from my upcoming blogs I would try to mention staying and eating joints.
Looks amazing!!
Thank you 🙂
Awesome writing and awesome place… Great going champ..