Naitam, Today we are discussing a travel destination for two days and nights.
How to Reach Naitam, Sikkim, Gangtok?
First you have to reach Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri station. From Siliguri, you have to reach Ranipul by car, 12 km before Gangtok. From here, the left road goes towards Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
And the right road goes towards Naitam. It is a very unfamiliar mountain road. Most of the places do not even have a phone network. So the locals are the ones to rely on on the way.
On the way, there are small towns in the surrounding hills. Upper Tadong, Upper Sari, Deorali. Some distance away, Gangtok’s Secretariat building is visible. From here, you can see the Ropeway. Finally, you will reach Naitam
Where is Naitam?
Gangtok to Naitam is 25 km. This small hill village lacks the hustle and bustle of Gangtok. Located in East Sikkim, this village receives a few tourists throughout the year. The tourists are mainly here in search of birds.
Staying at Naitam
With the influx of tourists, homestays have gradually been created. Local people use a part of their house as a homestay.
There is a hill village further above Naitam. There are many bamboo trees here. There is a small monastery Pabyuik Monastery one kilometer away from the village. Its name is Tasi Choling Monastery. Lama Ralchen Kaljang Chapel established this monastery in 1875.
From here, you can see the snow-white Kanchenjunga. On the other side, there is a vast green valley. People of different religions come here for the annual festival in November or December.
A popular myth about Tasi Choling Monastery
There are some stories about this monastery. There is a bell at its main gate. A Tibetan merchant came to sell this bell. At that time, when the lamas wanted to buy it, it was priced at Rs. five. In those days, this Rs. five was a lot. So the monastery lamas could not afford to buy this expensive bell.
So the merchant took the bell and returned. But the farther he went from the Gumpha, the heavier the bell became. At one point, he was unable to carry it. He felt that this incident was an order from God. He felt that this bell was destined for this gumpha. So he brought the bell back and saw that it had regained its previous weight.
Another story is about the Buddha statue in the Monastery. It is said that once smallpox broke out in the area adjacent to this cave. One morning, one Lama opened the door of the prayer hall and saw the Buddha statue sweating.
He informed the Chief Lama. They firmly believe that Lord Buddha himself took the poison of this disease into his body so that the epidemic could not spread to the villages above the monastery.
Around Naitam Village East Sikkim
There is a vast open field here. Various types of flowers and various butterflies are flying around. Among them, the Himalayan Yellow Coaster is notable. It seems like a fair of birds is being held all around.
Among them, there are Pied Bush Chat, Scarlet Minivet, Gray Tripe, Fulvetta, Orbler, Himalayan Cutie, Oriental White Eye, Himalayan Buzzard, and Sunbird.
Most of the food here is prepared organically. All the vegetables and meat are from the village. You will get several Sikkimese dishes with the food. A special menu of various dishes from the farm and orchids along with tomato and chilli pickles.
Activities in and around Naitam
Cardamom and maize are cultivated in the vacant land around the homestays. There are dairy and poultry farms in the village. The runway of Sikkim’s Pakhiyang Airport can be seen from the village. Although the number of aircraft at this airport is very low.
Due to the low human presence, the forest is deep here and the sunlight is less, so the soil below is damp.
Those who love trekking will like it more here because the mountain path from here leads to Changu Lake. And there is the India-China border.
From Naitam, you can go to Changthang. This path has to be climbed by trekking. There are a couple of animal farms in the sparsely populated jungle. On this path, you can see many types of unknown flowers and birds
FAQ
Q.1: How do I reach Naitam from Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri?
Ans: From Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri, travel to Ranipul (12 km before Gangtok) by car. Take the right road towards Naitam. The left road goes to Gangtok.
Q.2: Is the road to Naitam easy to navigate?
Ans: No, it’s an unfamiliar mountain road with limited to no phone network. Relying on locals for directions is recommended.
Q.3: Where is Naitam located?
Ans: Naitam is a small hill village in East Sikkim, 25 km from Gangtok.
Q.4: What kind of place is Naitam?
Ans: It’s a quiet village, unlike the bustling Gangtok, known for birdwatching and peaceful surroundings.
Q.5: Where can I stay in Naitam?
Ans: Homestays are available where locals offer accommodation in their homes.
Q.6: What is there to see near Naitam?
Ans: There’s Tasi Choling Monastery (Pabyuik Monastery), about 1 km from Naitam, offering views of Kanchenjunga and a green valley.
Q.7: What is special about Tasi Choling Monastery?
Ans: There are local stories about a bell that became too heavy for a merchant to carry away and a Buddha statue that is believed to have sweated during a smallpox outbreak.
Q.8: What kind of wildlife can I see in Naitam?
Ans: The area is rich in birdlife, including the Himalayan Yellow Coaster, Pied Bush Chat, Scarlet Minivet, and others.
Q.9: What activities can I do in Naitam?
Ans: Activities include birdwatching, trekking (including a trek to Changu Lake and the India-China border), and enjoying the local flora and fauna.
Q.10: What about the food in Naitam?
Ans: Food is mostly organic, with locally sourced vegetables and meat. You can try various Sikkimese dishes and local pickles.
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