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Round the World Travel Guide

Yak Rides At Tsomgo Lake

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Beautiful Sikkim

The jeep ride to Tsomgo Lake took a little less than two hours thanks to our fast driver who thought nothing of overtaking other jeeps along the precipitous mountain roads. As we gained altitude, we began to literally drive through clouds. The air temperature became noticeably colder.

Passing landslides and clouds as we head up to Tsomgo Lake

We passed landslide zones, stopped at a big waterfall (where I bought a cowboy hat for the yak ride), and soon arrived at the holy high-altitude Tsomgo Lake.

Yee-haw, I'm riding a yak!

My first order of business was a yak ride. I had gone on about it so much in the preceding days, I think Cameron was going to get a bigger kick out of watching me on one then seeing the lake itself. Natalie joined me for the 10-minute plod along the barely visible lake's shore. I found the ride to be quite comfortable. It helped that there was a saddle I'm sure. Every now and then the handler would whack the yak with a wooden stick, which seemed unnecessary.

Dave and Natalie pose while Cameron is farther up

After the yak rides, our guide let us hike up a steep, muddy hill opposite the lake. The fog had begun to clear, exposing the little lake (1km in length) and snow along the opposite bank. When it began to rain steadily, we headed down to a small restaurant where Tibetan momos (dumplings), instant noodles, and small cups of chai (tea) were consumed. I used some of the freshly made green chili sauce and felt a burn on my tongue equivalent to anything I felt in Sichuan (except the hot pot).

Tsomgo Lake - Elev. 12,400 feet

Before I knew it, we were heading back down to Gangtok. Halfway down, and once the rain was behind us, we took a rest break so the driver could pour water on the tires and brakes to cool them down. We dined at a popular Indian restaurant along the pedestrian mall before packing up for our multi-day tour of two northern valleys.

Bonus Video


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About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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Comments

  3. Stefan says

    June 6, 2008 at 7:18 pm

    Awesome Yak photo cowboy :)

    Glad to hear that your having a good time in India.

    Stay safe and if your going to Kerala be sure to stay at the Brown residency in Thiruvananthapuram

    • Dave says

      June 7, 2008 at 6:43 am

      I’ve heard of Kerala, but don’t know where it is. I’m in McLeod Ganj…..for awhile I think! :)

      • Liz says

        June 7, 2008 at 1:42 pm

        Kerala is south of goa. Beautiful and lovely but completely different from your current location.

        • Dave says

          June 8, 2008 at 10:22 am

          Thank Liz. I looked it up on a map and realized it’s at the opposite end of the country…probably deluged by rain at this point.

  4. Stefan says

    June 6, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    Awesome Yak photo cowboy :)

    Glad to hear that your having a good time in India.

    Stay safe and if your going to Kerala be sure to stay at the Brown residency in Thiruvananthapuram

    • Dave says

      June 7, 2008 at 1:43 am

      I’ve heard of Kerala, but don’t know where it is. I’m in McLeod Ganj…..for awhile I think! :)

      • Liz says

        June 7, 2008 at 8:42 am

        Kerala is south of goa. Beautiful and lovely but completely different from your current location.

        • Dave says

          June 8, 2008 at 5:22 am

          Thank Liz. I looked it up on a map and realized it’s at the opposite end of the country…probably deluged by rain at this point.

  5. Vera Metts says

    June 8, 2008 at 12:33 am

    David I am so proud of you. You are doing what you set out to accomplish. Take care! Vera

  6. Vera Metts says

    June 7, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    David I am so proud of you. You are doing what you set out to accomplish. Take care! Vera

  7. Kango Suz says

    June 9, 2008 at 10:30 am

    I absolutely love the fact that you had to buy a cowboy hat JUST FOR THE YACK RIDE! What happened to ‘traveling light?” Hehehehe… I’ll look for the cowboy hat in future episodes.

    • Dave says

      June 10, 2008 at 12:44 am

      One of the yaks came equipped with a hat so I really didn’t need to buy one. You won’t see it again!

  8. Kango Suz says

    June 9, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    I absolutely love the fact that you had to buy a cowboy hat JUST FOR THE YACK RIDE! What happened to ‘traveling light?” Hehehehe… I’ll look for the cowboy hat in future episodes.

    • Dave says

      June 10, 2008 at 5:44 am

      One of the yaks came equipped with a hat so I really didn’t need to buy one. You won’t see it again!