Registered with Sikkim Tourism · Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA

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Silk Route Tours & Travels

The high country

North Sikkim: Lachung, Lachen & Gurudongmar

Two mountain villages, two valleys and a lake at 17,800 ft. North Sikkim is the most spectacular part of the state, and the one that most needs a local operator.

Plan a North Sikkim trip 5 tours

North of Gangtok the road follows the Teesta up through Mangan to Chungthang, where it splits. The right fork climbs to Lachung, the gateway to the Yumthang valley and Zero Point. The left climbs to Lachen, the base for Gurudongmar Lake. Both villages sit at around 9,000 ft and both are reached only with a protected-area permit, which must be applied for through a registered tour operator.

Everything up here depends on the day. Landslides on the Teesta road, snow above Yumthang, a military convoy or a permit office that needs another photocopy can all rearrange a plan. As a Sikkim-registered travel agent we apply for the permits, book the homestays and send drivers who make this run every week — and who will tell you honestly when a road is not worth the risk.

Registered with Sikkim Tourism Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA

What to see

Places worth your time

  1. 01

    Lachung

    A village of wooden houses beside the Lachung river, ringed by cliffs and waterfalls. The overnight stop for Yumthang.

  2. 02

    Yumthang Valley

    The “valley of flowers”: rhododendrons from April to June, hot springs, and a river meadow under rock walls.

  3. 03

    Zero Point (Yumesamdong)

    Snowfields at about 15,300 ft above Yumthang, where the road ends. Weather and permit permitting; usually an extra charge.

  4. 04

    Lachen

    A quieter village and the overnight stop before Gurudongmar, with its monastery above the houses.

  5. 05

    Gurudongmar Lake

    One of the highest lakes in the world, sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs, reached by a pre-dawn drive. Indian nationals only.

  6. 06

    Chopta Valley & Thangu

    High pastures on the way up from Lachen, often snow-covered well into spring.

  7. 07

    Seven Sisters Falls & Naga Falls

    Waterfalls beside the road north from Gangtok, the usual stops on the long drive up.

Itineraries

North Sikkim tour packages

Every itinerary can be changed to your dates and pace. Prices on request.

When to go

Seasons

March – June

Spring

The best season: rhododendrons at Yumthang, snow still on the high ground, and roads usually open.

July – September

Monsoon

Landslides on the Teesta road and frequent closures. We often advise against the north in these months.

October – December

Autumn

Clear skies and bright colours. Very cold at Gurudongmar; the best photographs of the year.

January – February

Deep winter

Heavy snow. Lachung is magical, but Zero Point and Gurudongmar are often closed.

Getting there

From Gangtok, about 6 to 7 hours by road to Lachung or Lachen via Mangan and Chungthang. Trips start from Gangtok, so most people spend a night there first.

The road is narrow and slow in places, and the drive is part of the experience: waterfalls, river gorges and army camps.

Permits & documents

Every visitor needs a protected-area permit for North Sikkim. For Indian nationals it is issued against an original photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence) and passport photographs, through a registered tour operator.

Gurudongmar Lake is open to Indian nationals only. Foreign nationals may visit Lachung and Yumthang with a permit, in a group through a registered operator.

Read the full guide

From our office in Namchi

Local tips

  • Sleep at Lachung or Lachen before going higher. Never try Gurudongmar on the day you arrive from Gangtok.
  • Gurudongmar means leaving Lachen at around 4 am. Dress in layers; it is below freezing at the lake for most of the year.
  • Keep the visit to Gurudongmar short and descend if you feel a persistent headache or breathlessness. It is not advisable for infants or anyone with a heart or lung condition — ask your doctor first.
  • Homestays and hotels up here are simple. Hot water and heating vary; we tell you what to expect before you book.
Prayer flags on the road from Lachung to the Yumthang valley
Snowfields on the road above Yumthang towards Zero Point
The Lachung river running over boulders through its valley
The monastery at Lachen in North Sikkim
A still high-altitude lake reflecting snow peaks in the Sikkim Himalaya

Travel guide

Read before you go

Travel guide Sikkim permits explained Which parts of Sikkim need a permit, who issues it, what ID to carry and which areas are closed to foreigners, from a Sikkim-registered tour operator. Travel guide Best time to visit Sikkim When to visit Sikkim, Darjeeling and North Sikkim, month by month: spring flowers, monsoon closures, autumn views and winter snow, from a local tour operator. Travel guide Lachung or Lachen? Planning North Sikkim: Lachung for Yumthang and Zero Point, Lachen for Gurudongmar, how many nights, permits and altitude, from a local travel agency.

Questions

North Sikkim: frequently asked

Do I need a travel agent for North Sikkim?

Yes, in practice. Permits for North Sikkim are applied for through a registered tour operator, and the vehicles that go up must be permitted for the route. As a Sikkim-registered operator we arrange both.

Lachung or Lachen — which should I choose?

Lachung for Yumthang and Zero Point; Lachen for Gurudongmar Lake. With three nights you can do both: Lachen first for Gurudongmar, then across to Lachung for Yumthang.

Can children go to North Sikkim?

Children can visit Lachung and Yumthang comfortably. We advise against taking infants to Gurudongmar or Zero Point because of the altitude; please ask your doctor before planning it.

What happens if the road is closed?

Closures for landslides or snow are decided by the authorities on the day. We reroute the trip where possible — for example swapping the order of Lachen and Lachung — and tell you straight away.

Talk to a local

Tell us where you want to go

Send your dates and the number of travellers. We reply with a written, day-by-day itinerary and an itemised quote — and it costs nothing to ask.

Registered with Sikkim Tourism Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA

Quick enquiry

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