TREK AROUND THE MAYEL LYANG- April 2022

 TREK AROUND THE MAYEL LYANG- NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2021

THE HIDDEN LAND OF MYTHICAL PARADISE OF THE LEPCHA PEOPLE IN NORTH SIKKIM

 Trip Highlight:  Culture, Jungle trek, Monasteries, Himalayan Lake, Off the Beaten Path 

Approaching the Kishong Lake

MAYEL LYANG: IT’S MEANING AND WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT


‘Mayel Lyang’ is a Lepcha term that literally means “mythical paradise” or “hidden paradise”. It is also referred to as ‘Ancient Sikkim’ by the Lepcha. They believe their immortal ancestors still live in the snows of Kangchenjunga, hidden.

Here Ma (‘Maa)’ means hidden, ‘yel’ means eternal and ‘kyong’/Lyang means a village in Lepcha; therefore, ‘Maayel Kyong’ literally means a ‘hidden and eternal Lepcha Village’. Lepchas believe that seven immortal Lepcha couples live in Mayel Lyang. It is a paradise on earth. It is believed by the Lepchas that ‘Maayel Kyong’ is situated at the head of Dzongu. The Lepcha offer their prayers, ovations and salutations to Maayel Kyong in the form of ‘Sakyoo Rum Faat’ each year in November-December after harvesting, for peace, prosperity and good health. It is also predicted in the Lepcha myth that these seven immortal Lepcha couples of Maayel Lyang will rescue and save the Lepcha during a great man made or natural disaster that will take place in Mayel Lyang.

 

Ringi Chu and the begining of the trek

  

WHERE IS MAYEL LYANG

 

Our travel and trek will take us through catchments, rivers, mountains and villages that are deeply associated with Lepcha heritage and their cultural tradition. The area (Dzongu), the river (Ronggyaong) and the mountain (Kangchenjunga); all of them suggest the land and its people are intertwined harmoniously with each other and are inseparable. The mountains, rivers, cliffs all have Lepcha names. Almost all of them have a story to tell for themselves. This land, surrounded by the snows of Paki Chu, Pandim, Kanchenjunga, Simvu, and Siniolchu is “Mayel Lyang”- the sanctum sanctorum of Lepcha Heritage.

DZONGU
Dzongu- Originally ‘Dzonbu’, is incorrectly pronounced as ‘Dzongu’.’ Dzongu’ or ‘Dzongbu’ means’ the land of plenty, abundance and prosperity’.
Description:
DZONGU valley (referred to as Talung valley in some old maps of Sikkim) in North Sikkim is the home of the ethnic Lepcha people of Sikkim and is now a protected area. The Lepcha live in small villages amongst the dense forested slopes high above the Talung valley. One of the most sacred and protected monastery of Sikkim is located in this Dzongu valley. It is the Tholung Gompa. The Tholung monastery houses many relics and antiques collected from other monasteries for safe keeping. Many of these relics are displayed on a special day every three years. The trek up this beautifully forested valley leads to the higher alpine valleys where yaks graze below the snow capped mountains of the Kangchendzonga range.

The trail near Tholung Gompa

OUTLINE ITINERARY

We have designed and operated in different itineraries in Dzongu. One can do these treks from as minimum as 8 days to 12 days. We can also tailor-make your trek if you have a group of your own. We prefer to run our treks in small groups with a maximum group size of 10-12 people for minimum impact on nature. Closer to the date, let's say in the month of July, we shall publish dates of departures as well. Please note, we will be offering these treks over the months of November-December 2021.  Meanwhile if you have a group with whom you normally travel, you can always write to us now and we can start planning immediately. Write to : Adventure Mania Himalaya 

 Cost: write us an email for prices and group discounts. Write to: Adventure Mania Himalaya

OUR TOUR PRICE GENERALLY INCLUDES:

• - First Class Tourist Hotel where available
• - Twin share Tent during trekking/camping.
• - Service of cook and porters for trek.
• - All fixed three meals everyday (EXCEPT cities like Darjeeling/Gangtok/Kalimpong)
• - All road transport by PRIVATE car/jeep/coach from Bagdogra/NJP to Bagdogra/ NJP
• - Service of a guide who speaks English, Nepali, Hindi & Bengali
• - Entrance fees to monuments visited.
• - All Entry Permits for Darjeeling and Sikkim.
• - Trekking Permit and National Park fee
• - Group camping gear and kitchen utensils

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Personal camping and hiking gear, mineral water, alcoholic drinks, Tips to crew
Personal insurance, Cost of evacuation due to accident/injury/sickness, Accommodation in Darjeeling/Gangtok/Mangan will include breakfast only, Internal flights/trains