On board for GlenorchyAwesome view during roadtrip to GlenorchyGlenorchyClean roads, magnificent mountains, serene lake, cute cafes that is what you will find in GlenorchyThe swampA walk around the swamp is about 30mins – it was awesome
Glenorchy
What is there in Glenorchy?
Our first reaction after reaching Glenorchy was OH MY GOD. It has breathtaking beautiful landscapes. To add to this you can do so many fun activities. Engulfed between, mountains, forests, lake Wakatipu, this awe-inspiring beautiful place has been a movie set for movies such as Lord Of the Rings, Narnia, X-Men wolverine
How to reach Glenorchy?
The beach en route to Glenorchy
Glenorchy is about 45km from Queenstown. You can hire a car from Queenstown and drive to this place, this is the best way to reach, as you would want to make pit stops now and then and enjoy the drive which is amazing too.
When you look down you realize how far you have reached and yet not close
You don’t need to have GPS for this drive as there is only one road leading to the place.
A single, straight road from Queenstown to Glenorchy
Where to stay in Glenorchy?
Glenorchy is a very small town, but it has some beautiful cafes and hotels/motels. If you are planning to stay Glenorchy then do get bookings done in advance.
The stony beach..pit stops were great
As soon as you enter Glenorchy, there is a tourist information centre where you can find all the necessary information.
Ahh..lunch time at Glenorchy…nice cute cafe..loved it
What to do in Glenorchy?
Kayaking, trekking, horse riding, mountain biking, snowboarding, skydiving, boating, jet boating and many more. There is Dart river which is famous for kayaking. All the information regarding activities can acquired at Queenstown and Glenorchy.
You can either do aforementioned activities orrrr choose to take a nap like me
Apart from Kayaking which is famous in Glenorchy, Routeburn track also passes from Glenorchy. It is a must do track (takes around 3 days) but make sure you get the bookings done in advance as they are booked 6months in advance.
Our Experience of Glenorchy.
The great swimming pool
Glenorchy was one of the most beautiful town in NZ. Though we weren’t able to do Kayaking or any other activity, but still we enjoyed the whole place. We spent about 4 hrs in Glenorchy as we didn’t want to do any activity. But you can spend a whole day there doing nothing and just enjoying the beautiful town and still can’t get enough of it.
Whats so special you say – A picture speaks more than 1000 wordsThe board at the Lake
Gurudongmar lake is second highest lake of India (15th or 16th highest of the world), with the height of about 17,000 ft (5210 m) above sea level. The highest lake of India, Cholamu, is around a kilometre away from Gurudongmar but its not open to civilians at it lies near China border ( both are in Sikkim). Hence Gurudongmar is highest visit-able lake of India. Its impossible to explain how beautiful the lake is.
When to visit Gurudongmar Lake?
En route to India’s highest visit-able lake
Around April start ( depends on the winter ) the route to the lake gets open and it remains open till late October (again depends on the winter that year). So do check before hand.
How to reach Gurudongmar Lake?
One always walk alone on the roads less travelledOne tends to lose the way if he/she doesn’t see the destination but keep going my friend you will find the wayThe Flora must have abandon leaving one side ice and other side barren
Once you reach Gangtok, book a cab for Gurudongmar lake a day in advance. There are many travel agents, most reliable is Sikkim Tourism house which is on the Gangtok MG road. Don’t think of driving as the terrain is very rough and requires a lot of skill to drive on those roads.
Any health issues we should be concerned with?
The lake is at a very good height so expect the air to be thin so it gets difficult to breath. Since you will be in a vehicle and not walking much, so there should not be any problem. We had headache when we reached the lake. One of the family came with a kid, so there should not be any issue while travelling with kids.
Note: carry lot of water and keep sipping on it to nullify the altitude health issues.
What does the Gurudongmar package include?
One just cannot put price on such thing – the ice, the river and the desert all at onceThe grandeur of nature makes you realize how insignificant you are
The whole trip is usually for 3 days and costs about 14000 Rs ( you can customize it according to your needs), which includes travelling cost , breakfast, lunch, dinner, accommodation.
Accommodation is usually a mediocre hotel ( don’t expect anything in decor). Night stays will be in two small villages: Lachen and Lachung and nothing much is present there except natural beauty.
What Itinerary should be followed for Gurudongmar lake?
Itinerary is hardest part you say – try taking a bath in the lake at 0 degree temp
If you have booked a cab then you don’t need to worry about anything but then you can customize a few places in the itinerary.
The travel route is Gangtok – Lachen – Gurudongmar lake – Lachung – Yumthang Valley – Zero Point – Chopta Valley – Gangtok.
Leave Gangtok around 9 am.
Reach Lachen (110 km from Gangtok), takes almost 6 hrs as you will make many pit stops on the way.
Stay overnight in Lachen.
Leave at 3 am for Gurudongmar Lake.
Reach Gurudongmar Lake around 8 am ( takes 4 hrs from Lachen)
Spend an hour or two at the Lake ( you wont be able to stay there for long roads to the lake are very bad and in Mountains at 17000 ft it might rain anytime, making it impossible to travel.
Go back to Lachen, have lunch and leave for Lachung ( it takes around 2-3 hrs depending on the weather)
Stay overnight in Lachung.
Leave for Yumthang Valley ( hour or two drive). Stay there for hour or two.
Leave for Zero point. Spend sometime ( depending on your stamina) in snow.
Leave for Chopta valley( stayed there for 5mins, because of the wind). Stay there for sometime.
Leave for Gangtok. Reach around 8 pm.
What is must for Gurudongmar Lake?
We are confused whether the road to destination was better or the destination itself
You need to provide identity documents ( passport, driving licence) to the travel agent a day before the trip as its a must
Take warm clothes (hooded jackets or cap and woollen wear)
Take some packed food (though the agents usually provide breakfast, lunch and dinner but then you will require something to munch on) as you will not find shops on the way
A good camera
PS: Pan cards are not considered as valid Identification proof in Sikkim
What was our experience of Gurudongmar Lake?
Because of the weather we weren’t able to stay at the lake for long but then its worth the travel and money to stay there for even an hour. Its a magnificent place. If you are planning a trip to Sikkim then make sure you keep minimum 3 days for this whole experience.
Fledgling Travelers 