Lungthung: A Must-Have On Your Dzuluk Itinerary

Popular as ‘Dhupidara,’ the village of Lungthung rests at an altitude of 12,500 feet on a hilltop overseeing the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga. It is a significant tourist destination and a sure-shot addition in every Dzuluk itinerary. 1 hour away from Dzuluk, Lungthung offers an amazing view of the winding Old Silk Route. It lies in the vicinity of the Thambi View Point (4 km away), which is another great spot to relish the beauty of the Old Silk Route and the Eastern Himalayan range as a whole. Tibetan refugees who came here to escape the Chinese invasion inhabit the village. Lungthung is a preferred destination for light refreshments during a visit to East Sikkim.

What To See In And Around Lungthung?

• Beautiful Sunrises: ‘Beautiful’ would be an inappropriate adjective. The sunrises here are majestic. If you stay here, you could witness one from your hotel room itself.


• Luxmi Chowk: A visit to Lungthung is incomplete without visiting the famous Luxmi Chowk. You could enjoy the panoramic views of Kalimpong, Lava, Pedong, and Algarah from here. Moreover, the sub-Himalayan ranges can also be viewed from here. Luxmi Chowk is a ready home to Rhododendrons, mosses, lichens, and ferns growing here in abundance. You would be immersed in the lovely twittering of birds. The road at Luxmi Chowk bifurcates; one leads to Kupup and the other to Gnathang Valley.


• Padmachen: You can include this destination in your Lungthung itinerary. It is devoid of snowfall, but can be bone-chilling during winters. However, Padmachen receives sunlight in plenty all throughout the year. It’s a great pick for bird watchers and butterfly watchers. Padmachen is also a home to laughing thrushes, steppe eagles, babblers, fulvettas, wrens, honey buzzards, and many other species of birds. Other than that, its dense forests hold animals like the Himalayan Black Bear, leopards, and red pandas.


• Kuikhola Falls: Just a few minutes away from Padmachen lies the beautiful Kuikhola falls. Be careful while approaching it, because the stones are very slippery here.


• The Original Silk Route: Through the forest of Padmachen, you could trek to the place that homes the fading trail of the original Silk Route. This is the very road which saw great surges of trade carried out on horseback for many, many years.


• Heritage Forest Rest House: This rest house will take you back in time, when ‘Sahibs’ and Forest Officers used to throng the land. Observe the ancient wooden floors, the fireplace and the furniture here.


• Rare fauna: Lungthung is famous for an abundance of rare wildlife. You could spot a red panda here – the state animal of Sikkim. Other than that, there are Himalayan Monals, snow pheasants, blood pheasants, and Kalij pheasants that dominate the fauna of the place.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Lungthung?

If you want to enjoy the snow, January to April is the best time to visit Lungthung. During this time, the village is entirely snow-clad; the only colour prevailing would be white perhaps. From August to September, a variety of flowers blooms here, resulting in a colourful landscape. During May-July Lungthung is mostly rainy and foggy and absolutely green.