 Gurudongmar
is the land of Yaks, blue ships and other high altitude animals
of Sikkim and Tibet. The snow-fed milky water of the lake
is one of the major sources of Tista, the most important river
in Sikkim and North Bengal. To visit Gurudongmar tourists
has to stay overnight at Lachen. Gurudongmar is a day tour
from Lachen. It is also possible to stay at Thangu which is
much closer to the lake. But choice of accommodation at Thangu
is quite limited.
The road to Gurudongmar from Thangu passes
through the high alpine pastures carpeted with thick rhododendron
bushes. One can get a prized view of rare Bramhakamal peeping
through the bushes in inaccessible terrain or of a herd of
mountain sheep grazing in the distant valley.
At an attitude of 16890 ft, Gurudongmar
is one of the highest lakes in the world. It lies in the North
side of the Khangchengyao Range and is encircled all around
by snow-covered mountains, the sacred lake freezes during
the winters except at one spot, which the devout believe has
been specially blessed. The Chinese Tibetan boarder is just
a few kilometers away from the lake.
 The
blessed water of Gurudongmar is believed to posses the miraculous
power of granting children to issueless couples. Interestingly,
the myth of Gurudongmar is believed as reverentially by the
Hindus as by the local Buddhists. Only Indian tourists are
allowed to visit Gurudongmar Lake.
The name Gurudongmar is derived from the
name of the Sikh Guru Padmasambhava who is thought to have
visited Tibet through this area. The area is said to be blessed
by Guru Padmasambhava. There is a small temple of the Guru
besides the lake.
The terrain leading to Gurudongmar is very
hostile and yet very beautiful. The land resembles Tibetan
plateau, vegetation is very limited and the road is through
stony moraine like unpaved path. Due to proximity to the Chinese
Boarder, landmines are not uncommon and presence of Indian
Army is ubiquitous. Due to high altitude breathing problems
are also not uncommon.
Despite the hardship and difficulty associated
with visiting Gurudongmar lake, a visit to this lake may last
as an experience of a lifetime.
Gurudongmar can be visited only as part
of a North Sikkim package tour. Individuals can not go their
directly. Tours to Gurudongmar must be organised by authorised
travel operators such as naturebeyond. It is part of a minimum
of 2 night three days tour from Gangtok to Gangtok basis.
For more relaxed tour, the duration has to be increased. You
may contact naturebeyond for your travel requirements. Contact
details are available at contact
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