Short hikes and bird watching add spring to Carnival at Yuksam

GANGTOK, 14 May: The Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) in coordination with BAC, Yuksam , organised day long treks across villages and nearby monasteries for tourists who were interested in short treks from 11 May as part of the Sikkim Spring Carnival - 2012.
A press release informs that the first group of trekkers were offered khadas and flagged off by president of Yuksam Tourism Development Committee (YTDC), Mohan Gurung here on Friday. A bird-watching trip was also organised on Sunday and a group of ten bird enthusiasts were taken on a tour through the forests around the Dubdi monastery. The groups were escorted by experienced trek and birding guides from Yuksam.
The release mentions that Yuksam being the trail-head from where the trekking trail to Dzongri and Goeche La starts, in the world of trekking this trail ranks right up there among the best. Trekkers from all over the world throng this village which lies in the heart of the West district of the state during spring and late autumn seasons for the stunning vista of the Singhalila and the Kanchendzonga ranges. But the arduous alpine trek lasts for five to nine days depending on whether one intends to trek only as far as Dzongri or wants to go all the way to the Goeche La pass. Usually only the avid trekkers undertake this difficult trek to the lap of the mighty Himalayas.
For those who are interested in soft treks or village hikes, travel agents and hoteliers in the region have been organising short treks through hamlets, forests and to the monasteries nearby. In order to promote these treks KCC joined hands with the BAC, Yuksam and organised the short treks as well as a birding trip in and around Yuksam throughout the Sikkim Spring Carnival, the release mentions.
Uden Bhutia of KCC and Pema Gyaltshen Bhutia, Assistant Director (HRDD), BAC Yuksam, played a pivotal role during the carnival in organising the treks, the release further mentions.  All the tourists most of whom were foreigners gave positive feedback about their experiences, especially the hikes through the villages and the bird-watching trip.
The BDO informed that these kinds of short treks and birding trips will lure the amateur trekkers, nature lovers as well as birders and will go a long way in the promotion of tourism in the region, the release adds.