This is as far north as we were allowed to go on the road to Nathula Pass, the old Silk Road. This Lake Tsomgo is about 18 km (around 11 miles) from the India-China border. It was such an incredible place.
As soon as we got there, we took yak rides (that's right, yak rides) around the lake. Houser had done it before while in Tibet, but for me, it was a first. It was similiar to riding a horse, but somehow a bit different. At this lake, snow remains there most of the year. I was a little nervous the yak was going to slip as it climbed through rocks, snow, and mud, but it did a very good job navigating us through the elements. I couldn't get over how big their heads are. Houser asked if they put the socks on their horns to keep them warm, but they said it was just for decorations.
After riding the yaks, we had momos and some chow mein and chatted with a few of the people who work in the stalls. We found out that most of them stay up there until the snow comes and then they go down to Gangtok, a bigger city, lower down the mountain. All of their vegetables and goods have to come up from Gangtok as well.
For his birthday, we bought a Bhutanese coat, and a Sikkimese hat. We bargained with them for a while and got a greatly reduced price because it was his birthday. They also asked us for some chocolate, so I bet that helped too. It was definitely an adventure at Lake Tsomgo.
