I saw what’s left of India’s ancient Silk Route, which once connected Sikkim and Tibet.
From its dramatic high-altitude border life to tiny mountain villages that take days to reach.
The second-smallest Indian state, Sikkim, is full of surprises. It is home to a quarter of India’s biodiversity, the world’s third-highest mountain, and some of the kindest, most mindful people I have ever met. Getting to see this state up close was truly special, and in this video, I’m sharing stories hidden in its landscapes, history and everyday life while driving on the ancient Silk Route, which once connected two countries.
In this video, we are in East Sikkim and I:
– Lived in Sikkim’s highest village – Gnathang Valley
– Stood at the Indo–China border – Nathu La
– Experienced altitude sickness and visited a military hospital for a check-up
– Spotted a rare bird species — the Black-necked Crane
– Explored an old Silk Route and the memories people still hold of it
– Visited the Old Baba Harbhajan Temple
– And experienced awe at the engineering behind Zuluk loops
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PSA:
1. If you’re planning a trip to East Sikkim, keep in mind:
You’ll be travelling to altitudes of around 14,000 ft, especially in places like Nathu La, Gnathang Valley, and Zuluk Loops. So, it’s important to follow the best practices and a doctor’s advice to safeguard yourself from Acute Mountain Sickness.
2. Permits are required for many border villages and for Nathu La. Entry to Nathu La is permitted only for Indian nationals. Your homestay owner, travel organiser or taxi driver can usually help arrange these permits in advance for your Sikkim tour.
3. Most importantly, respect the local culture, protect Sikkim’s incredible biodiversity, and please do not litter. Leave every place better than you found it. The locals genuinely live by this philosophy, and once you see it in action, you realise how much our cities could learn from these simple, thoughtful habits.
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Special thanks to my team:
Host: Tanya Khanijow
DOP: Shubham Kamble
2nd DOP & Drone Pilot: Ashwin KC
Creative Producer: Pranavi Chhikniwala
Editors: Jaideep Sawant, Tanya Khanijow
Graphics: Shivam Joshi
Script: Soumya Pawaskar, Tanya Khanijow
Produced by: Tanya Khanijow & Eshan Joshi
And team Sikkim, led by Vicky Sharma of Muhan
Reach them for your Sikkim tour package and northeast excursions: +91 7478820272 & +91 9339070825
Big thanks to Gaebu, Mingma, Phurba, Sonam, Rocky, and all the amazing people we met along our journey, who made this video possible and our trip so memorable.
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About me & my channel:
Hi, I’m Tanya, an Indian travel creator, storyteller, and lifelong student of the world.
I started my journey with solo female travel, international destinations, self-drive adventures, and practical travel guides. Over the years, travel has become much more than movement for me. It has become a way to understand people, cultures, nature, courage, joy, growing up, success, and home.
I’m drawn to places that create wonder, stories that reveal how people live, journeys that feel difficult but meaningful, and moments that make me pause and reflect.
Through my videos, I hope to build more than a travel channel. I want to build a body of work about curiosity, wonder, and what it means to be human.
Join me on socials
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyakhanijow
YouTube: @TanyaKhanijow
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Business Enquiries: business@tanyakhanijow.com
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Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Indo-China Border and Silk Route
00:59 – Chapter 1: The forgotten road
1:41 – What is the Silk Road
2:02 – Phadamchen village
3:42 – Padamchen and the Silk Route
4:22 – 200-year-old Monastery
5:43 – Chapter 2: Memories of the Past
6:23 – Measures to avoid altitude sickness
7:06 – Zuluk ka Saray Khana
8:11 – Entry into Zuluk loops
8:57 – 32 hairpin bends
9:45 – Chapter 3: Leaving the trees behind
10:35 – A local war story
10:53 – Traders on this route
11:19 – Gnathang Valley
12:10 – Sickness
13:22 – The stillness of Gnathang
14:24 – Mini Potala
15:05 – Chapter 4: The man who remembers
16:12 – Inside a village home
17:45 – Trade pass from 2006
18:39 – A gift for him
19:40 – Chapter 5: Fortune favours the brave
20:22 – Bombay road viewpoint
21:08 – Extremely lucky sighting of Alpine cranes
22:25 – Chapter 6: Soldier still at his post
23:02 – Baba Harbhajan Singh story
25:34 – Thepla in Sikkim
27:20 – Kanchenjunga and yaks
28:34 – Kupup village
29:31 – Indo-China border
30:16 – Final thoughts
