Yak rides at Tsmongo Lake

ashakasha · Nov 9th, 2008, 17:08

Hey Folks,

If you can possibly resist the urge to ride a yak or have a silly picture taken atop one at Tsmongo Lake in Sikkim (or anywhere else, really), I urge you to do so.

The yaks were dragged over to our car, being hit with METAL BARS in the face and head the whole time. Later, from a hill over-looking the lake, I could see the men kicking the yaks with the bottom of their feet to get them to move...and the men were laughing and carrying on the whole time (which I find disgusting).

My guide quietly told me (with tears forming in his eyes) that he hates it, too. He said when the yak is no good for rides anymore, that it is "chopped" in front of the other yaks. I said, "well, hopefully it is quick and they don't suffer" (and I figured he would agree)- but he used his hands to show chopping motions and explained that they do suffer because it takes a long time to kill them "that way".

Hate to be a party pooper, but here is another thing I hope folks will walk away from.

It isn't necessary to treat animals that way. So sad.

ashakasha · Nov 9th, 2008, 17:12

FYI- we didn't take a yak ride, and once the men knew they weren't getting money from us, they began yelling at our guide to take us away. So, maybe avoid the place, altogether- it is just a lake.

Foreigners have to pay for a permit and a guide, but can only go to the very entrance and the souvenir market (and take yak rides)- Indians can go all the way to the china border. Not worth it.

migrantuxo · Nov 9th, 2008, 17:42

The Sikkimese goverment has requested the Central Indian goverment to lift it's restictions for foreigners and get rid of the Line Permit.

Let's see how long that will take.

then it might be worth it

except for the poor Yaks though

Robert

ashakasha · Nov 11th, 2008, 13:19

Well, I did have the best thukpa and momos, with a to-die-for chili sauce, at the souvenir market... and the drive there was rather exciting, in that "I could've died so easily but survived" kinda way

I'd suggest doing the little lake and waterfall circuit out of Pelling instead. And Hotel Garuda has some good enough Thukpa, too. You can even rent a motorbike and do it yourself.

Nov 9th, 2008, 17:08	#1
ashakasha Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Asheville, North Carolina (USA) Posts: 85	Yak rides at Tsmongo Lake Hey Folks, If you can possibly resist the urge to ride a yak or have a silly picture taken atop one at Tsmongo Lake in Sikkim (or anywhere else, really), I urge you to do so. The yaks were dragged over to our car, being hit with METAL BARS in the face and head the whole time. Later, from a hill over-looking the lake, I could see the men kicking the yaks with the bottom of their feet to get them to move...and the men were laughing and carrying on the whole time (which I find disgusting). My guide quietly told me (with tears forming in his eyes) that he hates it, too. He said when the yak is no good for rides anymore, that it is "chopped" in front of the other yaks. I said, "well, hopefully it is quick and they don't suffer" (and I figured he would agree)- but he used his hands to show chopping motions and explained that they do suffer because it takes a long time to kill them "that way". Hate to be a party pooper, but here is another thing I hope folks will walk away from. It isn't necessary to treat animals that way. So sad.

Nov 9th, 2008, 17:42	#3
migrantuxo Dysfunctional Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the Hague Posts: 97	The Sikkimese goverment has requested the Central Indian goverment to lift it's restictions for foreigners and get rid of the Line Permit. Let's see how long that will take. then it might be worth it except for the poor Yaks though Robert __________________ Don't tell me that INDIA owes you anything. It was there FIRST.

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Nov 9th, 2008, 17:12	#2
ashakasha Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Asheville, North Carolina (USA) Posts: 85	FYI- we didn't take a yak ride, and once the men knew they weren't getting money from us, they began yelling at our guide to take us away. So, maybe avoid the place, altogether- it is just a lake. Foreigners have to pay for a permit and a guide, but can only go to the very entrance and the souvenir market (and take yak rides)- Indians can go all the way to the china border. Not worth it.

Nov 11th, 2008, 13:19	#4
ashakasha Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Asheville, North Carolina (USA) Posts: 85	Well, I did have the best thukpa and momos, with a to-die-for chili sauce, at the souvenir market... and the drive there was rather exciting, in that "I could've died so easily but survived" kinda way I'd suggest doing the little lake and waterfall circuit out of Pelling instead. And Hotel Garuda has some good enough Thukpa, too. You can even rent a motorbike and do it yourself.