If you want to fill up your senses like a night in the forest, like the mountain in spring time or like a walk in the rain then ‘Denver’s Gallery’ is waiting for you. Surrounded by the pine trees and dense forest of Singalila National Park ‘Denver’s Gallery’ is located in Gorkhey, the lush green valley. Gorkhey is a pretty familiar place to the Sandakphu-Phalut trekkers, traveled by many remembere
d by few. This beautiful picturesque hamlet is situated in the district of Darjeeling, West Bengal, the last village in that region separated by Gorkhey river from West Sikkim. Populated only by 25-30 humble families this pristine and serene village is the ideal holiday destination for nature lovers an those seeking solitude. The clean and fresh air filled up with mesmerizing smell of Rhododendron flower at Spring time along with the chirping sound of variety of birds will definitely make you feel thousand miles away from your home. The green valley of Gorkhey is surrounded by the hills of West Sikkim – Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Phalut, Rammam & many more. All these places are easily accessible from Gorkhey which has made the valley a special to the Himalayan trekkers. Through the nature walk around this valley one can easily encounter the local step cultivation, evergreen tall pine trees, several species of Guras/Rhododendron a variety of rare birds which make you surrender to the mother nature like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air. To reach this place one has to trek. Plenty of trek routes options are present. Gorkhey is an obvious destination for Phalut – Sirikhola trekkers which is 15 km steep downhill from Phalut through Singalila National Park. One can simply get himself/herself lost in nature by the diversity of this mesmerizing forest trail. But the easiest & simplest way to reach Gorkhey without following the traditional trail of Sandakphu-Phalut-Sirikhola is by starting the trek from Bhareng which would take around 1 hour for the seasonal trekkers. Bhareng is situated in the extreme West region of Sikkim, the last village of that motorable road connected with Jorethang. Nevertheless, the 4 km trail from Bhareng to Gorkhey is full of bio-diversity. Amidst Pine & Rhododendron forest this serene, adventurous trail would bring you a far far distance away from the hustle & bustle of city life. At each bend of this 4 km trail the eternal presence of babble of the stream of Gorkhey river is just the message from ‘Denver’s Gallery’ that it is beckoning you. How to travel:
You can directly reach Bhareng from NJP Railway Station (around 150 km distance) by hiring a car via Sevoke- Jorethang(The gateway of West Sikkim)- Sombaria- Okhrey- Ribdi or you can directly reach Jorethang which is 85 km away from NJP. There is share Jeep service facility available at Jorethang to reach Bhareng till 1 p.m. You may also hire a car from Jorethang which will cost you around 3K. Amenities:
1: Guide & porter services from Bhareng to ‘Denver’s Gallery’(Gorkhey).
2: Campfire
3: Hot water
4: Self Cooking in home stay kitchen on special request. Best time to visit:
Weather remains calm & pleasant throughout the year. Temperature fluctuates from 3 degree to 12 degree Celsius. Still Oct-May is the best time to visit the valley at a height of 7200 ft.
