Dzongu - A Call From Offbeat Sikkim

Okay, if you ask me one place that has come more like a wonderland to me, it’s Dzongu. A humble village in the state of Sikkim, it is one of the few non-touristy places you can visit in Sikkim. Whole offbeat and fortunately Dzongu is no more than a small dot on the map. Yet it has a charm you might only find in the deserted lanes of Spitior, the furthest reaches of Alaska.

In short, nothing beats a trip to Dzongu, if you’re ready to hit the ground running for a few days!

Where exactly is Dzongu?

Map via Google Maps

While this card provides an answer to the question, I also want to try to put it into words. So, Dzongu is a small piece of land sandwiched between the Teesta River, Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and Tholung Chu. In terms that are not geographical, it is one of the most surreal places in India, well preserved and protected by the Lepcha tribe. If you are a movie buff and have seen some of the Twilight series, you can easily visualize Dzongu as the very beautiful Forks, where the films were largely set.

What to do at Dzongu?

In a word, nothing. Because Dzongu is just as fascinating as in the photo above. Since you would be living in the buffer zone of Kanchendzonga National Park, nature is your best friend here. So the lush green landscapes look greener, the wind never gets stale or stagnant, you get orchids and mushrooms growing along the way, short (and long) trails that end and start abruptly, cozy waterfalls, a very wild flowing river and lots of picnic areas.

Other than doing nothing, you can make a quick climb to a monastery by choosing the path that starts from the Government School in Upper Dzongu. Nestled in a picturesque meadow-like spot, the monastery overlooks abruptly rising expanses of pines on one side and the Dzongu settlement on the other.

More often than not, you would find a monk or two showing you the way to the monastery. Another two-day trek leads to an ancient monastery, so yes, pack your trekking shoes if you’re looking for an evening under the stars!

The next best thing you can do is walk up to the banks of River Teesta and take a dip! While it’s certainly more than just dipping into the Ice Bucket Challenge, it’s as wild as an experience can be. But if you’re keen to stay away from the icy waters of River Teesta, you can hop to the hot springs at Dzongu and back to the benches for a log fire and a freshly prepared lunch (guest guides accompany tourists and set this up for them , also there is no place to stay other than the homestays!).

If that seems like too much effort, you can simply sit by your homestay’s window and watch the clouds play and part to give you stunning views of the Kanchendzonga range! Yes, you read that right.

Other than that, you must go for a walk on the winding roads of Dzongu. Every turn reveals a new mix of land, mountains and sky, so keep your camera ready. If you’re lucky, you might be invited for a tumbler of Chi, Sikkim’s very famous and very intoxicating home-fermented millet beer. But before you take that sip, make sure you offer it to God by sprinkling some grains of rice on it and to the sky.

Millet beer served in a teak tumbler. And do you see that straw? Well, that's a bamboo straw. — Millet beer served in a teak tumbler. And do you see that straw? Well, that’s a bamboo straw.

An evening or two can be well spent conversing with the Lepchas here as they share their ideology of worshiping nature and their efforts to save River Teesta from some proposed hydropower projects. Plus, there are many folktales (including the shamans), which they will be happy to discuss with you.

For the explorers, there is a lake at Hee Gyathang, the snow-capped view from Pentong, the twin villages of Tingvong and Kusong, and the lake and meadows at Keushong.

Where to stay in Dzongu?

Dzongu coming soon with many homestays. For now you can book a stay at one of the 8-10 functional ones. Some of the most favorite names on the travel circuit are Mayal Yang Homestay and Sikkim Himalayan Homestayy in Upper Dzongu. Other than a modestly priced stay (often including meals), you stay with the locals and experience what life is like in the region.

How to reach Dzongu?

Dzongu is well connected by roads that can go rammackle in monsoons. You can drive to Dzongu from Gangtok (3.5 hours), taxi from INR 2500. You can also take a shared taxi from Gangtok, get off at Mangan and then take a private taxi to Dzongu.

When should you visit Dzongu?

From April to September is the best time to visit Dzongu barring heavy rains. Mid-April sees the mountain side come alive with patches of rhododendron blossoms, making Dzongu all the more surreal.

Important tip – Since Dzongu is a reserved area, tourists need a permit to visit it. You can collect these in advance from your host family (recommended), or get one at the checkpoint at Dzongu. Carry photocopies of your address and photo file photos and passport size photos to apply for the same.

Write to us if you are still unsure how to plan a trip to Dzongu. If not, mark Dzongu as a must visit on your next vacation. While now I’m off to hunt for more unusual trips experiences, don’t forget to leave your feedback here.

Until then, happy traveling.