Sikkim · Adventure Traveler · 6 Days
North Sikkim: Lachung, Yumthang & Gurudongmar
Gangtok, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang
1 / 3Overview
This North Sikkim tour package covers both valleys of the north in 6 days, starting with a pickup from Bagdogra airport or NJP station. After a night in Gangtok you go up to Lachen for an early start to Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 ft), cross to Lachung for Yumthang Valley and optional Zero Point, and return to Gangtok — with the Protected Area Permit arranged for you.
The North Sikkim: Lachung, Yumthang & Gurudongmar is a 6 days photography Tours journey through Gangtok, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang in Sikkim. Thoughtfully paced for 2-10 travelers, it brings together gurudongmar Lake at 17,800 ft, Yumthang Valley of Flowers and Lachen & Lachung mountain hamlets.
Over 6 days, you travel at a relaxed, unhurried pace with hand-picked stays, a private vehicle, and an experienced local driver who knows the routes and the seasons. Nights are spent in gangtok hotels and Lachen & Lachung mountain lodges, so you rest well between days on the road.
The ideal window to travel is Mar-Jun & Oct-Nov; Yumthang blooms Apr-May, when the weather and views are at their best. North Sikkim needs a Protected Area Permit, which we arrange. Gurudongmar Lake and Nathula are restricted for foreign nationals. Roads can close with snow from Dec-Feb.
- Gurudongmar Lake at 17,800 ft
- Yumthang Valley of Flowers
- Lachen & Lachung mountain hamlets
Day by day
Day 1
Arrive Gangtok
Bagdogra / NJP → Gangtok · approx. 125 km, 4–5 hrs
Your driver meets you at Bagdogra airport or NJP station and drives you up along the Teesta river to Gangtok. Please hand over the photo ID and passport photos needed for the North Sikkim permit, which we process while you rest. The evening is free on MG Marg.
Meals: DinnerStay: GangtokDay 2
Gangtok to Lachen
Gangtok → Chungthang → Lachen · approx. 125 km, 6–7 hrs
You head north on the North Sikkim Highway, stopping at Seven Sisters Waterfall and Naga Falls on the way. At Chungthang the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet, and you take the road up the Lachen valley. Lachen sits at about 9,000 ft, so keep the evening easy, drink plenty of water and sleep early.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: LachenDay 3
Gurudongmar Lake
Lachen → Gurudongmar (approx. 65 km, 3 hrs) → Lachung (approx. 4 hrs)
You leave Lachen at around 4 am and drive up through Thangu and the high Chopta valley to Gurudongmar Lake at 17,800 ft, one of the highest lakes in the world. Spend only a short time at the lake, as the air is thin. You come back to Lachen for lunch and then drive on to Lachung, arriving by evening. It is a long day of about 12 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: LachungDay 4
Yumthang Valley
Lachung → Yumthang (approx. 24 km) → Lachung → Gangtok (approx. 115 km, 5–6 hrs)
After an early breakfast you drive to Yumthang Valley at about 11,700 ft, which is carpeted with rhododendrons and primulas in April and May. There are natural hot springs by the river. Zero Point (Yumesamdong), higher up at about 15,300 ft, can be added for an extra charge per vehicle if the road is open. You return to Lachung for lunch and drive back to Gangtok.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: GangtokDay 5
Gangtok sightseeing
Local sightseeing around Gangtok
An easy day after the north. You visit Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage, about an hour from town. Later you stop at Tashi viewpoint and Banjhakri Falls, and the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, where you can watch carpets and wooden masks being made and buy them directly.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: GangtokDay 6
Departure
Gangtok → Bagdogra / NJP · approx. 125 km, 4–5 hrs
After breakfast you drive back down to Bagdogra or NJP. Please book flights or trains for after 1 pm to allow for traffic and road conditions.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
Included
- Hotels (twin sharing)
- Breakfast and dinner
- Protected Area Permit
- Shared/private mountain transport
- Driver & coordinator
Not included
- Airfare/train fare
- Lunches
- Zero Point extra (per vehicle)
- Personal expenses
Stays & permits
Where you sleep
- Gangtok
- Nights 1, 4 & 5
- Lachen
- Night 2
- Lachung
- Night 3
- Gangtok hotels
- Lachen & Lachung mountain lodges
Permits & travel notes
North Sikkim needs a Protected Area Permit, which we arrange. Gurudongmar Lake and Nathula are restricted for foreign nationals. Roads can close with snow from Dec-Feb.
Questions people ask
How far is Gurudongmar Lake from Gangtok?
Gurudongmar is roughly 190 km from Gangtok on mountain roads, so it is always done with an overnight stop at Lachen and a pre-dawn start the next morning.
Do you have a North Sikkim package starting from Gangtok?
Yes. If you're already in Gangtok, we can run just the Lachen–Gurudongmar–Lachung–Yumthang section, usually as 2 nights / 3 days. Ask us for the Gangtok-start price.
Can we see snow in North Sikkim in winter?
December to February is the best time for snow at Zero Point and around Lachung, but heavy snowfall can close roads or stop permits for a few days. We keep the plan flexible and confirm road status before you travel.
Is North Sikkim suitable for senior citizens?
Gurudongmar Lake is at about 17,800 ft, so seniors and anyone with heart or breathing conditions should check with a doctor first. Lachung and Yumthang are lower and easier, and we can plan a gentler route that skips Gurudongmar.
Do I need a permit for North Sikkim?
Yes. A Protected Area Permit is needed for Lachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar, and it is included. Gurudongmar Lake is not open to foreign nationals.