The name Zuluk or Dzuluk or Jhuluk or Jaluk is a small hamlet that is located at the height of around 10,000 feet that is on the rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim, of the Indian State Sikkim. In the East Sikkim this place is relatively an emerging and offbeat destination place. But today it is offering fast emerging as new tourist destinations. It derives as the place for its tourism importance due to the excellent view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including the Kanchenjunga. Zuluk is located at an altitude of 27.2518°N and 88.7775°E.
Zuluk is the very first village within the whole silk route circuit to offer home-stay facilities for the tourists. As Zuluk itself does not offer views of the snow peaks but only 14 km away the view sightseeing to Thambi View Point offers a panoramic view of the entire My. Kanchenjungha range.
Best Time to Visit Zuluk Tour
The pleasant time to visit Zuluk for tourists is during the month August and September, Zuluk is also drenched is a riot of colours of the wild flowers. The whole of the Zuluk regions is covered in various wild flowers. From the month January to April Zuluk is covered in snow. At the time of monsoon when there is heavy rain, which is in the months of May to July is usually foggy but the rest of the year it has nice sparkling weather. And also during the summer months, the area and its surrounding hills are covered with thousands of the blooming rhododendron. Zuluk during these months is a riot of the colours due to the variety of the Rhododendron that can be seen from here.
From October to February- winter, cold and snow.
From March to May- pleasant cold.
From June to September- the monsoon season, cold but beautiful.
Zuluk Tour Guide Tips to Cover Distances from Zuluk
1. Distance Covered From Zuluk and Its Permit:
Zuluk to Gangtok distance is about 4 hours, 90 km. But technically if you see the distance you can travel from Gangtok to Zuluk through Tsongo Lake and Baba Mandir, but the permit for this route is relatively difficult to get. Most of the common routes that go through are Pakyong and Lingtham.
2. Travelling Point to Reach Zuluk:
If you are traveling from the other places to Zuluk, such as Darjeeling, Pelling or NJP/ Bagdogra then you have to first travel to Rongpo, which is the entry point of Sikkim. And from this point, a less trodden route will take you to Zuluk through Rorathang.
3. People Travelling from East Sikkim:
Tourists who are traveling to Zuluk from East Sikkim adjacent Bengal region, that is the Kalimpong subdivision, it would be better than you to travel through Pedong, Aritra, and Reshi route.
4. Travel Time and the Distances from Major Destinations:
Travel time and the distances from the different major destinations can be followed this is described as below. But it is to take note of the tourists that the travel time will depend on prevailing road condition at the time of travel. It is to guess the travel time based on the distances and on the average vehicle speed mostly proves in these regions.
Travel time from Gangtok- 90 km, about 4 hours.
Travel time from NJP/Bagdogra- 160 km, about 6 hours.
Travel time from Kalimpong- 90 km, about 3.5 hours.
Travel time from Pelling- 150 km, about 7 hours.
Travel time from Darjeeling- 140 km, about 5 hours.
5. Arrange Special Permits for the Restricted Area at Zuluk:
For the travelers, it is very necessary to know that you need to arrange a special permit for visiting the restricted areas that issue from a place called Rangli. But the permits are also issued from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Hence as far the permit related issues from the Sikkim Government keeps changing so it is always recommended to consult travel expert or your tour operator for the latest update on Zuluk permit.
6. Transport by Air to Zuluk:
The nearest Airport is Bagdogra in Siliguri, West Bengal. After you reach Bagdogra you can drive for around 7-8 hours from there to reach Zuluk.
7. Transport by Train to Zuluk:
The closest railway station is the New Jalpaiguri railway station (NJP) in West Bengal. From Siliguri NJP station it is a drive of around 7-8 hours one to reach Zuluk.
8. Transport by Road to Zuluk:
Zuluk can be reached from Siliguri by various hired vehicles which are roughly and distance of 7 to 8 hours depending on the road conditions. NJP to Zuluk car fare is from Rs. 3500 to Rs.5000 depending on 4 pax Waganor, Alto, 7 pax on Innova and Xylo and 8-9 pax on Sumo, Max.
9. The Distance between Zuluk to Sillery Gaon:
It takes a distance from Zuluk to Sillery Gaon, for 8 days, 19 hours, 55 minutes to travel. But the driving distances between the Sillery Gaon and Zuluk is 10596 km or 6584 miles or 5721.4 nautical miles. But the travel time refers to the time taken if the distance is covered by a car.
10. Visit Zuluk and Its Sightseeing Places:
From the Gangtok route to Zuluk, it is via Tsomgo Lake, New Baba Mandir, Nathang Valley, Kupup, and then to Zuluk. It takes about 4 hours of a distance drive from Zuluk to the various places. But from Kalimpong, the route is via Pedong, Aritra, Rhenock, Rongli, Phadamchen and then to Zuluk. It also takes about 4 hours of distances by car.
11. Planning to Stay Overnight at Zuluk:
For a day trip, it is always advisable from either Gangtok or Kalimpong. You should plan to stay overnight at Zuluk if you are planning to come from Kalimpong, or at Nathula Valley if coming from Gangtok, and then visit the places by a car on a day trip. But, due to the high altitude and for the low oxygen level, it is always advisable that you acclimatize yourself on the first day to avoid the breathing problems.