Plan Your Travel To North Sikkim
Places To Visit In North Sikkim
Cholamu Lake
14th highest lake in the world and the highest lake in India, the Cholamu Lake in North Sikkim is situated at an altitude of 18000 feet from the sea level. While coming down the slope around 300 feet from Donkiala pass ( 18300 feet ), you can get the first sight of this moderately sized, almost frozen lake. Cholamu Lake is only a few kms away from the Tibet border and is off limits for commonplace tourists. One needs special permits, from Army and Sikkim police/administration to visit the Cholamu Lake.
Also know as Tso Lhamo lake, it is difficult to get permission to visit this lake and it is advisable not to visit this place in monsoons or winters. If you are on a family trip avoid visiting Cholamu Lake and visit the Gurudongmar Lake instead. However, if weather permits, and you get a permit easily then opt for Cholamu Lake. Since mostly no travel agencies risk their vehicles and driver in this risky terrain you can trek up to this stunning lake. The world does not have too many such places with more sublime associations than this calm sheet of water, 17,000 feet above the sea, with the shadows of mountains 22,000 to 24,000 feet high, resting on its surface.
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Chungthang
Perched at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers is the tranquil small town of Chungthang at a height of about 1790 metres and about 95 kilometres from the city of Gangtok. Chungthang serves as the major forward base for the Indian army and there is a medical centre there as well. The Chungthang Valley is famous for the fact that it is considered to be the land blessed by Guru Padmasambhava.
Chungthang is home to the rock that bears the handprints and footprints of Padmasambhava. Another interesting aspect of the town is a small patch of land where paddy grows every year and it is believed to have been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava himself who sprinkled the grain on the spot. It is also believed that Guru Nanak Dev ji visited Chungthang during his trip to China and Tibet. There is a tree in this town which is supposed to be grown at the place where Guru Nanak Dev placed his stick. The stunning Chungthang Valley makes for a good, serene and offbeat halt before one takes off for the alpine regions that are Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang Valley. Not only is the town holy and sacred, but also home to a wide range of interesting flora and fauna that captivates a lot of wildlife and nature photographers to visit it.
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Crow's Lake
It is another beautiful lake on the way to Gurudongmar Lake.
Gurudongmar Lake
Located at the height of 17,100 feet above the sea level, Gurudongmar Lake, located in Sikkim, is one of the fifteen highest lakes in the world. It is also the second highest lake in Sikkim, after the Cholamu Lake located at the height of 18,000 feet. The splendid and scenic beauty of the place is breathtaking and attracts tourists from all across the world. Gurudongmar Lake also has great religious significance attached to it, and the beautiful view of Mount Siniolchu and Kanchenjunga from the lake is a sight to behold and cherish. The water of Gurudongmar Lake is believed to have healing powers, and many tourists carry the water with them on their way back.
Encircled by snow-capped mountains and crystal clear icy water, Gurudongmar is considered to be a very holy lake. It is one of the sources of River Teesta, which flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh, to finally merge with the Bay of Bengal. There lies a 'Sarva Dharma Sthal' nearby, which is also a very popular place of worship for all religions. The Gurudongmar Lake is located in Lachen, a small and beautiful town in North Sikkim. A night stay at this town is highly recommended before visiting the stunning lake. The strategic location of the mesmerising Gurudongmar Lake and its proximity to other popular attractions further appeals to the tourists, and make it one of the most popular attractions in Sikkim.
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Lachen
Situated in the northern district of Sikkim, Lachen is one of the most beautiful towns an attractive tourist spot which is well known for its Lachung monastery. Its natural beauty and serene vegetation are worth commending and it is believed to be one of the most noteworthy and popular places for Buddhist pilgrims and tourists. Lachen is a less-populated beautiful holiday destination, also famous as the gateway to the sacred Gurudongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes.
The most prevailing area in Lachen is the Nyingma order of Himalayan Buddhism and the Lachen Monastery, Lachen Chu and the alpine covers. The quaint Sikkim town is known for its lush vegetation that contains mainly grasslands and shrubs along with apple orchards. The pine-covered valleys and black cliffs of snowy-white hills of the Eastern Himalayas start from Lachen which makes it the base station for many trekking areas in the North Sikkim region including the famous Green Lake and Kanchenjunga National Park treks. Lachen provides expeditions to Chopta Valley, Green Lake, Cho-Lamu, Gurudongmar Lake and Shinghba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
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Lachung
Perched at an altitude of around 8,858 ft, Lachung is a small hill town in North Sikkim. It is situated in a deep valley on the rugged bank of the Lachung River (a tributary of the Tista River) at the foothills of the Himalayas. Also referred to as Small Pass, it lies near the Tibetan border (China). Lachung is one of the notable attractions in North Sikkim - the Yumthang Valley and offers access to various other picturesque tourist spots in the region.
Lachung flaunts snow-capped mountain peaks, spectacular waterfalls, beautiful streams, and orchards of apples, peaches, & apricots. This town is about 116 km from the capital Gangtok and is a well-liked destination amongst those who love being amidst nature. Lachung is an outlandish location, unpolluted by nuances of modernization. Here, most houses are built from wood, enveloped by small kitchen gardens around twisty roads with small shops and stepped grassy fields.Visitors can indulge in adventure sports for an adrenaline rush, like mountaineering, river rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, rock climbing, & more. In addition, many tourists visit Lachung to get a glimpse of this region's rich culture and traditions. The village is primarily inhabited by Lepchas and Bhutias, who are followers of Buddhism. Besides, the market of Lachung is brimming with handicrafts, including elegantly woven rugs & blankets, which makes it apt for a shopping expedition. Ideally, Lachung should be explored on foot. Visitors can stop by small eateries in huts to have some authentic Sikkimese food for a top-off experience.
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Mt Katao
Nestled in the northern part of Sikkim, at a distance of 144 km from Gangtok and 28 km from Lachung, Mt Katao is one of the most stunning sights imaginable. Perfect for adventure lovers who like skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and grinding during the winter season, the surreal mountain provides a splendid view to its onlookers. However, to enter this area, a permit is required from the army since the place where Mt Katao is located at a military base.
Covered with natural vegetation including poppy, rhododendron, and primula, the base ground of Mount Katao comprises of numerous adventure sports activities. This amazing place is situated at an elevation of 15000 feet and remains covered in snow almost throughout the year. There is a zero point situated nearby which provides some spectacular views.
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Thangu Valley
Thangu, situated at an altitude of around 3900 m, is a beautiful village which is about two hours' drive from Lachen. It is a comfortable village where the tourists usually choose to relax before they proceed to trek to Gurugongmar Lake, Muguthang or Cho Lhamu Lake. In Thangu Valley, one can catch a glimpse of the rows of trees and as one goes more upwards, the beautiful view of Tibetan Plateau begins. For nature lovers, this quaint town is a perfect gateway.
The ideal time to travel to mesmerising Thangu Valley would be between May and June, during which, the entire valley gets decorated with vibrant alpine flowers, and the heavy snow covers up these beautiful beds of flowers in the cold months between October and March. The spectacular hiking trails from Thangu to places like Chopta Valley and Muguthang enhance the beauty of the village. Since Thangu is near the border between India and China, there is also a big military base present here.
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Yumthang Valley
The popular Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim is located 140 km north of Gangtok. Famous as the "Valley of flowers", this is a rare and exotic location with hot springs, rivers, yaks and lush green meadows. Situated at an elevation on 3564 metres, this stunning valley is a paradise for nature lovers as it houses the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which has over 24 species of Rhododendron flowers (the state flower) blooming from late February to mid-June.
Yumthang Valley is closed to tourists between December and March due to the heavy snowfall in the region. A few hot springs are situated in Yumthang Valley, which is often visited by tourists as they are believed to have miraculous healing power. Apart from a cosmic green meadow, plush green forest abundant in Pine and silver fir trees fills the area. On your way towards Yumthang Valley, you can see gushing waterfalls and streams along with a splendid view of peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa.
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Chopta Valley
Chopta is a very famous tourist hotspot in North Sikkim known for its varying hues. Famous as the "Valley of flowers", the Chopta Valley is popular for its riot of colours during summer months. This valley is unexplored and untouched, as a very few tourists travel to this destination despite its popularity. Nature lovers and wildlife lovers will enjoy travelling to this splendid valley and spotting many rare species of animals, plants and birds.
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