Day 3 (Zero Point, La-Chung and Yamthang Valley )

We were now to leave Rabum for our next halt which was to be at La-Chung. Our driver Gyatso was from this town and his family owned a guest house. However we stayed at another one. After a brief halt in La-Chung we went towards Zero Point . The place was called "Zero Point" because beyond this point there was not further roads. This was the closest to Chinese border. We had to make entries at Army check posts on our way to the point.
On our way to La-Chung we came a across a waterfall which was truly the highest I saw on this trip(see attached). If you look carefully in the picture you will see me and Akshat standing near the foot of the waterfall. We spent quite some time at the waterfall. I was in a mood for some sher-o-shayari and Deepak and Akshat proved be very good listeners. Then ahead we went.

Point zero was so far the coldest place I have been to. Since we reached a litte late the snow had started to melt. The weather did not make any allowance though. We crossed the army check posts to reach. Before this I forgot to say that Zero Point was not the part of our "packaged tour" we had to pay our driver separately for the same. Our driver had developed some greed and quoted us a higher rate that what we had expected but we decided to pay him anyways. Nonetheless we reached Zero Point. There was a narrow stream of water and I made the mistake of washing my hands. It is needless to comment on the temperature of the water.


I took many photographs and the best ones are here. But there are way too many. The weather was extremely cold there especially due to very cold winds. There was another group of foreigners whom we met there. After a few niceties exchanged we decided to move on as it was becoming extremly difficult to stay. The place was simply amazing and view was un-paralleled. I could not be happier. After that we needed to move for Yumthang Valley. We halted for some tea and snacks.



Also I must mention that whilst coming from Zero Point to Yumthang Valley I happened to see brief snow fall which was pretty cool for an urban dweller like me. We went forward to La-Chung. On our way we made a brief halt at a hot water spring where our driver took a shower. There were two attractions at La-Chung, The La-Chung Monastery and the Handicrafts Factory. However we could see only visit the monastery as the factory was closed by the time we reached. The monastery was a small and quiet one but the art work was simply amazing.

At the footsteps of a stupa at Yumthang Valley

After the visit to the monsatery we went to see Gyatso's guest house where we had tea. He introduced us to his family and one of Gyatso sisters had shown keen interest in our dear friend Akshat. We returned after visiting the monastery to our guest house where me and Akshat slept and Deepak went out again for a walk and game of cards with the guest house keeper. Me and Akshat snored and slept like anything only to wake up in the evening for dinner. We took out Deepak's laptop and took a back up all the picture from our cameras. Deepak had taken three copies of each picture and it was more important for him. I charged my camera batteries here. Another thing I would like to mention that after La-Chen all the places we travelled to did not have any way of communication save for the ones with the Army personnel.

The three pilgrims at the monastery. A very religious Akshat had his hands folded. Note the two dragons above the gate.

The weather has been chilly and biting winds greeted us every where however it did not rain again. Another interesting incident happened with us. One of Gyatso sisters who I mentioned before came to us while we were leaving his guest house and begged (truly) Akshat to give her mother a drop while we return for Gangtok. Obviously she was able to soften our friend who agreed and none of us objected either. RAJA BHAIYYA KI JAI!!!! (hail the king.)