10 places · region guide

North Sikkim: Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point

North Sikkim is raw high-Himalayan country reached on a single Y-shaped highway: Gangtok to Mangan and Chungthang, then left to Lachen for Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley, or right to Lachung for Yumthang, Zero Point and Katao. Every stop beyond Chungthang needs a Protected Area Permit, a Sikkim-registered SUV, and respect for the 4 PM Toong checkpost and 4 AM Gurudongmar departure.

37 listed stays from ₹1,141 to ₹ 7,684 per night.

Overnight bases (4)

Overnight hub

Mangan

North Sikkim's district headquarters, cardamom capital and the last town with ATMs.

3,950 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians

Best: October–May 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

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

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

Day excursions & stops (6)

No overnight stays here: you sleep in the base town shown on each card.

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

Best: March–June and October–December Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Lachung

Yumthang Valley

Sikkim's Valley of Flowers — 24 rhododendron species, a hot spring and yak pastures.

11,800 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required

Best: April–June and October–November Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Lachen

Chopta Valley

Alpine meadows and frozen streams between Thangu and Gurudongmar.

13,200 ft · Thin air PAP permit required

Best: April–June and October–November Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Lachung

Katao

The 'Switzerland of Sikkim' — a snow ridge 28 km from Lachung under army control.

15,000 ft · Thin air Special PAP + army clearance Indians only

Best: March–May and November–February Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Lachung

Zero Point

Yumesamdong, where the civilian road ends at 15,300 ft — near-guaranteed snow in spring.

15,300 ft · Thin air Special PAP + army clearance

Best: March–May and October–December Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Lachen

Gurudongmar Lake

One of the highest sacred lakes on earth at 17,800 ft — a 4 AM start, 45 minutes at the top.

17,800 ft · Extreme altitude PAP permit required Indians only

Best: April–June and October–November Guide

All 30 destinations

Contact agency for tour guidance