We were to travel from Lachen to Lachung which are about 3 hours apart and then relax in the hotel and see Zero point and Yumthang Valley the next day. Our guide however suggested that with the full day in hand - we could instead do the drive to Yumthang valley on the same day. The next day we could drive to Gangtok leisurely.
We were all for it - so off we went. The Yumthang valley is knows as the Valley of flowers. In summer the valley is supposed to be full of rhododendrons. In November the valley was bare. It has its own beauty so we were not complaining.
For us however the highlight was Zero point - Yumesamdong. Be aware that this point is normally not part of the itenary by default. One has to pay the driver extra to go to this point.
On reaching Zero point - we felt like we had come to the last outpost of civilization. It helped that we were early and the only ones there ! The shops were also closed. Not exactly high tourist season time. So imagine - the fresh cold winds and no other sound ... even though it was windy - there was not much to hear. With the majestic mountains and ice around - it was like being the only people in the world. Calm, quiet and a sense of insignificance - time seems to stand still here. Like nothing ever changes.
Zero point is where the road ends. There is no road beyond this. There is talk of a road being planned between Gurudongmar Lake and this point but no idea when it will finally happen.
The roads to this place are winding as usual but there are points from where one can see it .. we took pics of those as well as the contrast between the orange shrubs and the white mountains.
In November at least I think Zero point is must see - more beautiful than the valley. :) People do prefer to come here when it snows and can be traveled to to play snow games :)
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| Enroute Zero Point |
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| Enroute Zero Point |
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| At zero point |
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| At Zero point |
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| Zero point |
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| The winding road to Zero point |
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| The Yumthang valley with its river |
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