Nestled in the northern part of Sikkim, almost as far away from civilization as you can imagine, lies the magical Mt. Katao. This peak is perfect for adventure lovers who crave the thrill of skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and grinding during the winter season.
But hold your horses there! Before you can hit the slopes, you’ll need to get a permit from the army. Apparently, the area around the mountain is a military base, so you don’t want to mess with them!
Once you’re there, get ready to be awed by the picturesque sights of the snow-clad peaks and the stunning waterfall mid-way to the destination. The valley is also covered with attractive flora such as poppy, primula, and rhododendron. The base ground of the mount is equipped with many adventure sports activities, so you’re not going to run out of things to do here.
Getting There Now, I know what you’re thinking. “How do I get there?” Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. You can reach Mt. Katao via taxi from Lachung which is about 28 kilometers away. But if you want to go all out, you can even hire a taxi from the capital, Gangtok, and make it an adventure in itself!
The best time to visit Mount Katao is from March to June when the snow starts melting, and you can experience the lush greenery of the valley. However, if you’re like us and love skiing and snowboarding, you might want to visit during the winter months of December to February. It’s going to be cold, but that’s the whole point, right?