East Sikkim · Day excursion · sleep in Nathang Valley
Kupup Lake
The elephant-shaped lake beside the world's highest golf course.
19 photos · Wikimedia Commons contributors. Click any photo to open the gallery.
- Altitude 13,000 ft
- From Gangtok 75 km · 3.5 hrs
- Best months April–June and October–November
- Stay Day excursion · sleep in Nathang Valley
1. Why visit Kupup Lake and what to expect
Kupup (Elephant or Bitan Cho) Lake lies on the border road between Nathang Valley and Tsomgo, next to the 13,025 ft Yak Golf Course and the Jelep La viewpoint. It is a sightseeing stop on the Silk Route loop rather than a stay, covered by the same Silk Route permit.
Top sights
- Kupup (Elephant) Lake
- Yak Golf Course, world's highest 18-hole course
- Memencho Lake view
- Jelep La pass viewpoint
- Ice hockey rink
2. Getting there and where you sleep
| Altitude | 13,000 ft |
|---|---|
| From Gangtok | 75 km · 3.5 hrs |
| Stay | Day excursion · sleep in Nathang Valley — Nathang Valley guide |
| Checkpost / timing rule | Silk Route / Baba Mandir PAP covers it; 7 km from Nathang, 22 km from Zuluk. |
| Monsoon (Jul–Sep) | Avoid — landslide closures |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Conditional; snow blocks possible |
Mountain roads in Sikkim average 20–28 km/h. Google Maps times are optimistic; use ours.
3. Permit, ID and medical checklist
4. Where to stay (base: Nathang Valley)
6 properties from ₹1,750 to ₹4,213 per night for two.
Gnathang-Kupup Silk Route Homestay
High-Altitude Homestay · Near Kupup Elephant Lake & Gnathang, East Sikkim 737131
- Heavy Winter Quilts
- Hot Water
- Home-Cooked Meals
₹1,750 / night ≈ ₹875 per person, twin share
Ice Land Homestay - Zuluk Route
Homestay · Zuluk-Kupup Silk Route, East Sikkim 737131
- Private Rooms
- Dining Area
- Parking
₹1,799 / night ≈ ₹900 per person, twin share
LungZhong Retreat Silkroute
3-Star Hotel · Sudunglakha, Rongli, East Sikkim 737133
- Modern Rooms
- Restaurant
- Free Wi-Fi
- Garden
₹4,213 / night ≈ ₹2,107 per person, twin share
Nathang Valley, East Sikkim
Ice Land Homestay (Phadamchen Base)
Homestay · Phadamchen, Lower Nathang Route, East Sikkim 737131
- Lower Altitude Acclimatization Stay
- Warm Rooms
- Home Food
₹1,799 / night ≈ ₹900 per person, twin share
Nathang Valley, East Sikkim
Gnathang Valley Traditional Homestay (Dawa / Pinasa)
High-Altitude Homestay · Gnathang Valley (13,500 ft), Old Silk Route, East Sikkim 737131
- Thermal Bedding
- Hot Meals Included
- Yak Cheese & Butter Tea
₹1,800 / night ≈ ₹900 per person, twin share
Nathang Valley, East Sikkim
LungZhong Retreat Silkroute
3-Star Retreat · Rongli Silk Route Approach, East Sikkim 737133
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Silk Route Permit Help
₹4,213 / night ≈ ₹2,107 per person, twin share
Kupup Lake FAQs
Can I stay at Kupup Lake?
No. Sleep in Nathang Valley or Zuluk homestays and visit Kupup on the loop towards Baba Mandir and Tsomgo.
Why is Kupup Lake called Elephant Lake?
Seen from the road above, its outline resembles an elephant, which is why locals call it Hathi Pokhri or Bitan Cho.
Keep exploring
Continue exploring East Sikkim
Overnight hub · homestays only
Nathang Valley
The 'Ladakh of East India' — a 13,500 ft plateau of snow in winter and wildflowers in summer.
Day excursion · sleep in Gangtok
Baba Mandir
The army shrine to Baba Harbhajan Singh at 13,200 ft, between Tsomgo and Kupup.
