Yumesamdong / Zero Point

Zero Point / Yumesamdong is a beautiful place to visit during winter or spring. Best time of the year is March - April. During this time the area will be mostly snow covered & road is motor able. Oxygen density here is a bit lower, should be cautious. During last week of December to May first week it is all covered with snow. The view will even be better and one gets to see the Himalayan Blue Sheep which is extremely rare grazing on the pasture. Yumesamdong is also known as Zero Pont. Yomesamdong along with Yumthang and Katau make Lachung an extremely attractive travel destination. Lachung stay will have to be of three nights to visit all these places. North Sikkim packages generally include Yumthang and Hot water spring. Rest all the places are covered at supplementary cost. It is 2 hours drive from Lachung and indeed an icing on the cake. There is snow all around and yet the beauty of this place is untouched. Please note that it is not easy to do Yumthang Valley + Zero Point + Katao and return to Gangtok in the same day. One has to stay or arrive Lachung on the previous night. Next day morning Yumthang Valley and Katao can be visited and stay at Lachung is necessary. The very next day visit to Yumesamdong and return to Gangtok is the standard procedure. The Vehicle, Hotel, Food etc comes in packages provided / booked from Gangtok as there are formalities of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to be obtained. Voter ID card / Driving License / Similar ID card is required along with 4 passport size photograph is required for permit.  Sikkim is very close to Peoples Republic of China’s border and the Defense establishment tends to keep things under a very tight leash. Hence it is very difficult to get individual permissions for visiting these areas. As long as you move in groups (More than one guest) under the guidance of tour operators its manageable. By the way, foreign citizens are completely forbidden from visiting few places in North Sikkim and Nathu La pass.

To See

• Lachen Monastery
• Lachung Monastery
• Yumthang
• Yumesamdong or Zero Point
• Hot Water Spring
• Katao
• Gurudongmar Lake
• Thangu (Trekkers)
• Chopta Valley
• Phodong Monastery / Seven sister’s falls
• Mangan /Singhik

To Reach

• By Air – The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Chopper service is available for Gangtok from Bagdogra otherwise one has to drive to Gangtok nearly 130 kilometers via national highway 31 A. From Gangtok one has to drive to Lachen to visit this destination. Gangtok to Lachung or Lachen is 5 - 6 hours drive and requires Inner Line Permit (ILP).
• By Rail – The nearest major railway Station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP). From New Jalpaiguri Railway Station one has to drive to Gangtok nearly 130 kilometers. Gangtok to Lachung or Lachen is 5 - 6 hours drive and requires Inner Line Permit (ILP).
• By Road – Roads till Gangtok is national highway 31 A. Guest has to drive to Gangtok nearly 130 kilometers from Siliguri. From Gangtok vehicle with army permit has to be booked for visiting Lachen or Lachung. From Lachung one can visit Yumthang nearly 25 kilometers. Roads are rough from Gangtok.