Pakyong, East Sikkim · Sikkim
Zuluk & the Silk Route
The zigzag Old Silk Route road through Zuluk, Thambi viewpoint and Kupup lake.
Zuluk & the Silk Route is an easy road trip in Pakyong, East Sikkim, Sikkim, reaching 3,960 m. The best time to go is March to May and October to December. Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground from Bagdogra / NJP and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Zuluk & the Silk Route
The one thing not to miss
Thambi viewpoint
Look down on the road's long run of hairpins, and across to Kanchenjunga at sunrise.
- 2Lungthung and NathangHigh, bare valleys above the loops.
- 3Kupup lakeA lake near the old trade route to Tibet.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
NJP or Gangtok to Zuluk
The permit is made at Rongli on the way.
Day 2
Thambi viewpoint at sunrise, then Lungthung, Nathang valley and Kupup
Stay at Nathang or come back to Zuluk.
Day 3
Out to Gangtok past Tsomgo, or back down to Rongli
Whichever your permit allows.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Dozens of hairpins in one view, homestays in tiny army-road villages and sunrise over Kanchenjunga.
Why not
Very basic homestays, permit-only, and snow can block the road in winter.
Before you go
- Permits
- Protected-area permit through a registered agent.
- Guide
- Local driver essential.
- Safety
- Steep hairpins and ice in winter — only with local drivers.
- Phone & internet
- Very limited.
Altitude
Zuluk & the Silk Route reaches 3,960 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Sikkim →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Sikkim Police helpline, Gangtok.
All emergency contacts for Sikkim →What to pack for Zuluk & the Silk Route
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
6 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,960 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsProtected-area permit through a registered agent.
- Passport-size photos and photocopies of your IDPermit counters and check posts ask for them, and there is rarely a photocopier nearby. Carry four of each.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereVery limited.
For what you're going for
4 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
- Portable tyre inflator Punctures happen far from the next repair shop.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Sikkim Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Share this place
Homestays in Sikkim
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. A permit is issued at Rongli. Snow closes the upper road in winter.
By road
From
Gangtok
- Distance
- about 90 km
- Drive time
- about 4 hours
- Gangtok
- Pakyong
- Rongli
- Zuluk
From
Bagdogra / NJP
- Distance
- about 155 km
- Drive time
- 6–7 hours
- Siliguri
- Rangpo
- Rongli
- Zuluk
Buses and shared taxis. No regular public transport; hire a vehicle through an agent.
Pickups & drivers
From Bagdogra / NJP. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Zuluk & the Silk Route yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Zuluk & the Silk Route: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Zuluk & the Silk Route?
The best months for Zuluk & the Silk Route are March to May and October to December. January and February are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Zuluk & the Silk Route is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,900 m and reaching 3,960 m.
How many days do you need for Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground, counted from Bagdogra / NJP. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Zuluk & the Silk Route cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹12,500 for 5 days, before the cost of getting to Bagdogra / NJP.
How do you reach Zuluk & the Silk Route?
By road: from Gangtok it is about 90 km, about 4 hours (Gangtok → Pakyong → Rongli → Zuluk); from Bagdogra / NJP it is about 155 km, 6–7 hours (Siliguri → Rangpo → Rongli → Zuluk). No regular public transport; hire a vehicle through an agent. The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Permits: Protected-area permit through a registered agent. Guide: Local driver essential.
Is Zuluk & the Silk Route suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is possible with care. It is quiet in season. Steep hairpins and ice in winter — only with local drivers.
What should you pack for Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, sun cap or hat. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Very limited.
Will I get altitude sickness at Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Zuluk & the Silk Route reaches 3,960 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Zuluk & the Silk Route?
Zuluk & the Silk Route is not a good choice for older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,960 m. Also keep in mind: Very basic homestays, permit-only, and snow can block the road in winter.
Close to Zuluk & the Silk Route
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Tsomgo Lake & Nathu Laabout 13 km
- Gangtokabout 19 km
More in Gangtok & East Sikkim
- Gangtok2,100 mcompare
- Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La4,310 mcompare
- Dzongri4,170 mcompare
- Goechala4,600 mcompare
- Gurudongmar Lake5,430 mcompare
- Lachung & Yumthang Valley4,700 mcompare