Treks and walks · Dzongu
Village paths and waterfalls around Lingthem
Walk with a local guide from your homestay along village paths, through cardamom groves and terraces, to a waterfall or a viewpoint over the Teesta. Dzongu's paths are steep and slippery, and the reward is a day with almost no other visitors.
Dzongu's villages are linked by footpaths older than the roads. From Lingthem, Passingdang or Hee Gyathang, a local guide can lead you on a half-day loop: down through cardamom groves under alder trees, across streams on log bridges, past terraces of maize and millet, and up to a waterfall or ridge with a view of the Teesta or, on clear days, Kanchenjunga.
Along the way, ask about plants. Lepchas have a deep knowledge of the forest: which leaves heal, which shoots can be eaten, which trees are sacred. Your guide may point out a family shrine, a sacred grove or a rock with a story; listen, and do not touch or climb on such places.
Paths are steep and often muddy. Wear shoes with real grip and carry a stick. From April to October, leeches are everywhere; wear leech socks or tuck trousers in. Landslides can cut paths after rain, so follow your guide's choice of route. A guide costs about ₹500–1,000 for the day.
Cost: Guide ₹500–1,000
Questions people ask
Good to know
Do I need a guide to walk in Dzongu?
Yes, we strongly advise one. Paths are unmarked, steep and change after landslides, and some places are sacred or private. A local guide from your homestay costs about ₹500–1,000 a day and makes the walk safer and far more interesting.
Are there waterfalls in Dzongu?
Yes, many. The steep side valleys feeding the Teesta are full of waterfalls, especially after the monsoon in September and October. Your homestay will know which are reachable that season. Some are short walks from the road; others need half a day.
Are there leeches in Dzongu?
Yes, from about April to October, especially in forest and cardamom groves. Wear closed shoes, tuck trousers into socks or wear leech socks, and check your legs often. In the dry winter months leeches are rare.
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