Tourist Places To Visit In Nathang Valley

One of the most scenic locations on the old Silk Route in the eastern region of Sikkim, Nathang Valley is a remote village located at an altitude of more than 4000 m with amazing hill views and beautiful weather almost all year long that makes it a great summer getaway.

Most of the native inhabitants are of Tibetan origin, who were primarily yak herders. With the growing influx of travellers in the region, a lot of the locals have moved on to turning their residences into homestays where tourists can find the opportunity to stay with the locals and interact with them on a personal level while getting to explore the valley itself. So here are few of the amazing places to visit in Nathang Valley.

One of the highlights of staying in Nathang is visiting the viewpoint known as Eagle’s Nest Point. It was once a bunker of the Indian Army that was used to keep an eye on border activities from atop a hill. The location of this now abandoned bunker can prove to be quite elusive for those not familiar with the territory, but once discovered with the help of locals, it will prove worthy of all the trouble; the views of sunrise and sunset from this region are some of the best ones you will ever come across. Vistas of the eastern Himalayan range, the entire Kanchenjunga range and the river Brahmaputra crossing through China and entering India can also be viewed from here.  

The Daftar Bungalow was initially a building used for collections of custom duty that was built in 1920. Being out of service for quite a while, it has been converted into a lodging option for tourists by the government of Sikkim, and features three rooms with beautiful views of the valley.

The mountain pass that serves as a gateway between India and China, Nathula Pass is open to Indian nationals only five days a week; it remains closed on Monday and Tuesday. Prior permission is needed to be obtained from any tourism office in Gangtok before one can be allowed to visit the pass. Being the highest point in eastern Sikkim, some brilliant landscape and mountain views are on offer for those who take a trip down to Nathula Pass.   

Harbhajan Singh was an Indian Army soldier who reportedly died in this region after being caught in an avalanche. The soldiers posted in this area believe he died to save his fellow troopers, and a shrine was constructed to commemorate his death. The bunker he stayed in has been preserved, as are some of his belongings. Now one of the most widely visited spot by tourists in eastern Sikkim, the temple deserves a trip to hear the stories about the 'Baba' who is just as revered among the locals as he is among the soldiers.