Zuluk
Activities in Zuluk
Bird Watching - The pristine high altitude forest of Pangolakha is a prime habitat of rare Himalayan species like Red panda, mask deer, black bear and even Tiger. The incredible rich birdlife makes this place famous for bird lovers. The flagship species include Himalayan Monal, fire-tailed Myzornis, Great parrotbill, Tibetan snowcock and much more.
Attractions in Zuluk
Thambi View Point
The main attraction of Thambi View Point is watching the Sunrise over the snowy mountains. Located just 14 kilometres from Zuluk, the viewpoint at over 3300 meters offers an excellent panoramic view of the greater Himalayan ranges, including Mt Kanchenjunga. The journey to Thambi Viewpoint is another attraction as you negotiate over a dozen spine-chilling bends, which is popularly known as the Zig-Zag trail. A view of this bend section from a distance is a visual treat.
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Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
A primitive and virgin patch of wilderness, most of which is still untrodden and impenetrable, lies on the tri-junction between West Bhutan, East Sikkim, and Northern West Bengal and extends to Chumbi Valley in Tibet. Named after the Pangolakha Range that separates Bhutan from Sikkim, this wildlife sanctuary is vital for the rich bio-diversity – particularly for the high altitude Himalayan birds and mammals.
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Lungthung
At a distance of only 20 km from Zuluk is Lungthung, a remote high altitude village. At an altitude of 3800 meters, this small hamlet with a handful of people is mainly a settlement for Tibetan families, who migrated to India during the Chinese Invasion in the 1970s. With a couple of small tea stalls run by the Tibetan family, Lungthung allows stopping en route for a hot tea break. Here you can also meet older people, who can tell you the story of that difficult time over a cup of Tibetan tea.
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Tukla
Moving further for about 5 km from Lungthung will take you to the historical Battle Ground of Tukla. This is an important site in this trail, which marks the British Soldiers' victory against the Tibetans during the early 1900s. The first British Army contingent in pre-independence India used this route to invade Tibet and faced fierce resistance, which led to the Battle of Tukla.
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Nathang Valley
At an altitude of over 3500 meters, Nathang is a picturesque valley on the ancient Indo-Tibet trade route. It has a small village and a couple of basic homestays for tourists. Although the harsh climate is not ideal for staying in this place for a longer duration, immense natural beauty made this a popular stopover for tourists over the past few years. One can take a short drive to Nathula Pass or Tsongo Lake from this place. The valley remains under snow during the entire winter, which has also opened up opportunities for snow-based activity.
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Old Baba Mandir
Old Baba Mandir is another important attraction on the Zuluk-Kupup road. Many legends are associated with this tiny colourful temple. The temple was built in memory of legendary Baba Harbhan Singh, a soldier of the Indian Army who fought bravely with the Chinese Army during the Sino-Indian War in the 1960s. All original belongings of Baba Harbhajan, including his dress, bed and writing tables, are preserved in this temple.
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Kupup
The first major Army Settlement on the way to Jelepla from Zuluk is Kupup – at nearly 4000 meters above sea level. The famous and historical Younghusband Track originates from here, which leads to Lasha in Tibet. This road is now forbidden to civilians for its proximity to China, which lies at a stone's throw distance. Kupup is also known for a golf course.
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