PTI
GANGTOK, FEBRUAYR 10
With India and China having exchanged notes on modalities for opening Nathu La as a second route for pilgrims undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, Sikkim's nodal Tourism and Civil Aviation Department is working in tandem with Ministry of External Affairs to Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation [STDC] to facilitate travel.
Tourism Special Secretary Sarala Rai, who undertook the 'Yatra' via Kathmandu and onwards to Lhasa and Kailash Mansarovar in 2011, affirmed that travel even in luxury vehicles is difficult but adventurous. The proposed 'Yatra' through Sikkim, scheduled to begin from June, is the first luxury route to 'Kailash Mansarovar' from India and pilgrims, after crossing over from Nathu la, will travel to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, the official said.From there they will take the Kailash-Mansarovar highway. Thus far, from India, the only route to Kailash involved an arduous and dangerous trek through Uttarakhand. The only vehicular travel option was via Nepal which was explored by Rai four years back. The new motorable route through Nathu la is scheduled to accommodate around 250 pilgrims this season, the official said.
As things stand, Sikkim does not have enough experienced porters to escort pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar.
Pilgrims have the option of taking yaks or ponies on this leg, but these come at a high premium.
