Accomodation in Lachung (North Sikkim): What Does Basic Mean?

Sunrise at Lachung (North Sikkim)

We visited Sikkim in December 2006. Sikkim is a small state and we managed to see a bit of East, West and North Sikkim. Lachung is in North Sikkim and it is a small and beautiful place. Usually, it is the night halt for going to Yumthang Valley. I remember when we were booking our trip to Yumthang Valley, the lady at the counter said, “Lachung mein utne facilities nahin hain, bahut basic hai” (Lachung accommodations are very basic and lack facilities.) Puzzled, I asked what do you mean by facilities, she said it has no TV, etc. And I was grinning to myself, I anyway don’t want TV, feels like my kind of a place.

Now a few days back, I got a query from an Indiamike member, asking about Lachung accommodation and food and was it very basic? That is how I thought of doing this post.

Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the room where I stayed at Lachung. Sure, it was not a fancy room but it was quite clean and without carpet. I prefer budget hotel rooms in India without carpets. The carpets (in budget hotels) are usually quite dirty and contribute to a very gloomy atmosphere within the room. Hot water was only available in a bucket but that is OK with me. And there was no TV.

The food in fact was quite good, more like home cooked meal, always served hot. And the stuff that they cook in Lachung travels with you from Gangtok. So, it is quite common to make room for eggs, vegetables and a few chickens on the roof of the shared jeep!

8 thoughts on “Accomodation in Lachung (North Sikkim): What Does Basic Mean?”

  1. Could you suggest similar place in Himachal or Uttaranchal? I’ve some off-days from work, i want to visit some quite place (no TV, no vehicular noise). Touring to Sikkim will require at least 8-10 days and i am short of leaves. :(Mk

  2. Were the walls and the floors made of wood or stone, instead of brick and mortar?I think that would have added to the charm of the place.:)

  3. Mridula I have experienced it. TV is a big nuisance, even in our homes. I tried to make it without a TV in my home when I shifted to Delhi, and we were without TV for a full 12 months. While on vacations TV is some thing more than a nuisance.

  4. madhukar, tell me the number of leaves and I can try and think of something. or better still, try http://www.indiamike.com The folks there can come up with wonderful suggestions.Sidhu, i found the place quite charming but not sure what the walls and floor was made of :(karnail, I agree. But we like to watch sports so much, that we never have seriously thought of giving up TV. And for me internet at home is the biggest distraction.Prashanth, I guess we have to say ‘to each its own’ 🙂 even though I agree with you.

  5. Mridula, I actually passed via Lachung on my way back from Yumthang in February. Surprisingly, maybe because it was not season, most of the hotels were not shut/only accepting prior-booked tour groups. We were dying of hunger, so we just stopped at a small shop, bought some Wai-wai, and the shop owner cooked it for us at the back of his shop in a small hut…one of the most warm and truly lovely experience I had while travelling…

  6. Sorry Srinidhi, we booked our stay in Lachung as a part of the package tour from Sikkim and I do not remember the names. But it is easy to book a place from Sikkim.

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