Ridge & River Sikkim

North Sikkim · Transit stop

Chungthang

Where the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet and the road forks — the Toong checkpost town.

5,600 ft · Oxygen-safe PAP permit required Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency Kids & seniors safe

By Ridge & River Sikkim Team · Updated 2026-10-29

23 photos · Wikimedia Commons contributors. Click any photo to open the gallery.

1. Why visit Chungthang and what to expect

Chungthang is the junction where the North Sikkim highway splits left to Lachen and right to Lachung, and where the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu join to form the Teesta. Guru Padmasambhava's holy rock is here, and the Toong checkpost enforces a 4:00 PM cutoff and the plastic-bottle check.

Top sights

  • Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu confluence
  • Holy rock of Guru Padmasambhava
  • Bop Waterfall
  • Teesta dam view

2. Getting there and where you sleep

Altitude 5,600 ft
From Gangtok 95 km · 4.5 hrs
Stay Transit stop
Checkpost / timing rule Toong checkpost: 4:00 PM cutoff both ways. Single-use plastic bottles checked and fined.
Monsoon (Jul–Sep) Avoid — landslide closures
Winter (Dec–Feb) Open

Mountain roads in Sikkim average 20–28 km/h. Google Maps times are optimistic; use ours.

3. Permit, ID and medical checklist

PAP permit required. Original Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence + 2 passport photos per person, submitted 24–48 hours ahead through a registered operator. Aadhaar and PAN are NOT accepted. Children need an original birth certificate or passport.
Foreign nationals, NRIs with foreign passports and OCI holders: Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency. Everyone entering on a foreign passport needs a free RAP/ILP, issued at the Rangpo or Melli checkpost on arrival, at Sikkim Tourism offices in Delhi, Kolkata and Siliguri, or online via e-FRRO.
Kids & seniors safe. No altitude concerns. Carry motion-sickness tablets for the winding roads.

4. Where to stay in Chungthang

3 properties from ₹1,320 to ₹1,840 per night for two.

Budget

Rufina Royal Lachung (Chungthang-Lachung Corridor)

3-Star Hotel · Lachung-Chungthang Road, North Sikkim 737120

  • Pure Veg & Jain Food
  • River View Rooms
  • Hot Water
Pure veg

₹1,320 / night ≈ ₹660 per person, twin share

Ask us about this stay
Mid-range

Singhik Tourist Bungalow (Chungthang Route)

Heritage Tourist Lodge · North Sikkim Hwy, Singhik, Sikkim 737116

  • Kanchenjunga Panorama
  • Dining Hall
  • Parking

₹1,650 / night ≈ ₹825 per person, twin share

Ask us about this stay
Homestay

Tongdenlee Homestay (Manul / Chungthang Approach)

Homestay · Manul, Chungthang Highway, North Sikkim 737116

  • Mountain Views
  • Home-Cooked Meals
  • Parking
  • Pet Friendly
Meals included

₹1,840 / night ≈ ₹920 per person, twin share

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Chungthang FAQs

What is the Toong checkpost cutoff?

Vehicles must pass Toong, near Chungthang, before 4:00 PM in either direction. Leave Gangtok by 9:30–10:00 AM to make it comfortably.

Can I stay in Chungthang?

Only basic transit homestays. Almost everyone continues 1 hour to Lachen or Lachung for the night.

Keep exploring

Continue exploring North Sikkim

Overnight hub

Lachen

The mandatory overnight base at 9,000 ft for the 4 AM run to Gurudongmar Lake.

9,000 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required
Best: April–June and October–December Guide

Overnight hub

Lachung

The apple-orchard village that is base camp for Yumthang, Zero Point and Katao.

8,800 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required
Best: March–June and October–February Guide

Overnight hub

Singhik

An uninterrupted Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu panorama above the Teesta gorge.

5,200 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians
Best: October–December and March–May Guide
Contact agency for tour guidance