Place Details:
Yumthang valley is a beautiful, picturesque grazing pasture surrounded by mountains in the north Sikkim district of Sikkim in India. It is at an elevation of 3,564 metres (11,800) above sea level and at a distance of 150 km from the state capital Gangtok. It is popularly known as the ‘Valley of flowers’. With tree-covered green slopes, silently flowing river and beautiful Himalayan flowers, the valley is extremely scenic. A visit to the Valley of flowers will leave you enchanted.
Home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, the valley is a must visit for nature lovers. The only permenant residence in the valley is a forest rest house and the nearest town is Lachung. Between December and March, the valley remains closed due to snowfall. During the summer season, the cattle are taken to the valley to graze and the practice is called yaylag pastoralism. In spring, the valley turns into a bouquet with poppies, rhododendrons, iris, primulas and other flowers. The flowering of rhododendrons ends by May. During monsoon, the valley becomes home to different types of tiny flowers like Cobra-lilies, Louseworts, Cinquefoils and Primroses.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT GANGTOK
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Gangtok is as given below. The best time to visit Gangtok is also specified.
| MONTH | BEST TIME | | MIN. TEMP (°C) | MAX. TEMP (°C) |
| January | | | 0 | 8 |
| February | | | 0 | 10 |
| March | | | 1 | 11 |
| April | | | 1 | 16 |
| May | | | 0 | 14 |
| June | | | 1 | 16 |
| July | | | 2 | 15 |
| August | | | 2 | 14 |
| September | Best time | | 1 | 16 |
| October | Best time | | 2 | 17 |
| November | Best time | | 0 | 13 |
| December | Best time | | 0 | 10 |