Nature · Thambi View Point
Continue to Lungthung for the range
Drive 15 minutes beyond Thambi to the open ridge at Lungthung, about 3,800 m, for a wider view of the Kangchenjunga range and the border ridges, and a hot drink if a homestay is serving.
Photo: Tsen2006 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Thambi frames the loops; Lungthung frames the mountains. The ridge is open and treeless, and on a clear morning the Kangchenjunga range spreads across the western horizon while the high ridges towards the Tibet border rise behind you. A few homestays and army posts are the only buildings.
Most Silk Route cars stop here for 20–30 minutes after Thambi, then continue to Nathang Valley or return to Zuluk for breakfast. If a homestay is open, a cup of tea or noodles here is welcome in the cold. In winter, the slopes around Lungthung are often snow-covered and families stop to play.
At about 3,800 m, walk slowly and do not climb the slopes above the road; breathlessness comes quickly. People who felt unwell at Zuluk should stay in the car and go back down. Indian nationals only, with the Silk Route permit. Check current status before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
How far is Lungthung from Thambi View Point?
A few kilometres up the same road, about 15 minutes' drive. Most cars stop at both on the same morning: Thambi for the loops at sunrise, then Lungthung for the wider mountain view. The road continues to Nathang Valley in another 30–45 minutes.
Is Lungthung higher than Zuluk?
Yes, by about 1,000 m. Zuluk is around 2,800 m and Lungthung around 3,800 m. That is why we suggest a short stop for most people and an overnight only for those already acclimatised. Watch for headache, dizziness or breathlessness at rest, and go down if they appear.
Can we see Kangchenjunga from Lungthung?
On clear mornings, yes, with a wider view than from Thambi. Your best chances are October to early March. Cloud and haze make it hit-and-miss from April, and the monsoon months usually hide the range completely.
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