North Sikkim

High mountain villages of North Sikkim: rhododendron-filled Yumthang Valley, the snowfields of Zero Point and the sacred Gurudongmar Lake at over 5,000 m — a remote high-altitude corner of the Eastern Himalaya.

Lachung and North Sikkim lie in Mangan district in the north of India's Sikkim state, wedged between Tibet (China) and Nepal — a high-altitude border region of the Eastern Himalaya. Travel here follows two valleys that meet at Chungthang: the Lachung Valley to the northeast (Lachung village, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, Katao) and the Lachen Valley to the northwest (Lachen village, Thangu, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake). The classic itinerary is a 3-day, 2-night trip from Gangtok: day one is a 6–7 hour drive to Lachen; on day two you head up to Gurudongmar Lake before dawn, then move on to Lachung; day three covers Yumthang Valley and Zero Point before returning to Gangtok. Important: North Sikkim is a protected area. Visitors must arrange permits through a licensed Gangtok tour operator and travel in designated vehicles — self-driving and independent travel are not allowed. Foreigners' permits cover a smaller area than those for Indian visitors, and Chinese passport holders generally cannot obtain Sikkim protected-area permits, so check well in advance. The 2023 glacial lake outburst flood and repeated landslides in 2024–2025 closed roads for long periods; always confirm access before setting out. The best seasons are the rhododendron bloom in April–May and the clear autumn weather of October–November; the June–September monsoon brings frequent landslides, and winter snow often closes roads. Altitude sickness is a real concern — ascend gradually and pack plenty of warm clothing.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries