4 Nights / 5 Days
Gangtok, Changu Lake & Darjeeling
Gangtok · Changu Lake · Baba Mandir · Darjeeling · Tiger Hill
Ideal for: First-time visitors who want both Sikkim and Darjeeling
North Sikkim
North Sikkim Tour: Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung & Yumthang
- 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Starts & ends: Bagdogra / NJP / Siliguri
- Private tour
Tour overview
The high Himalaya of North Sikkim: the sacred Gurudongmar Lake, the rhododendron meadows of Yumthang Valley and the mountain villages of Lachen and Lachung.
North Sikkim is the most spectacular – and the most demanding – part of the state. Roads are narrow, days start before dawn, and Gurudongmar Lake sits at around 5,180 m (17,000 ft). The reward is scenery few places in India can match.
We route the trip so you sleep at Lachen (about 2,750 m) before the Gurudongmar visit, which helps acclimatisation, then cross to Lachung for Yumthang Valley. Gangtok nights at either end keep the drive days manageable.
Ideal for: Mountain lovers, photographers and travellers comfortable with long drives. Places covered: Gangtok, Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Seven Sisters Falls.
Highlights
- Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes in India, sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs
- Yumthang 'Valley of Flowers' – rhododendrons from April to early June
- Optional Zero Point (Yumesamdong) beyond Yumthang, snowbound for much of the year
- Seven Sisters Waterfall, Naga Falls and the Teesta gorge on the drive north
- Quiet mountain villages of Lachen and Lachung
- A Gangtok day for Tsomgo Lake or local sightseeing (add-on)
Day-by-day itinerary
Distances, drive times and altitudes are approximate and vary with road and weather conditions. Points marked optional are extra.
Day1
Arrive at Bagdogra / NJP and drive to Gangtok
≈ 120–125 km · 4–5 hrs
Pickup at the airport, station or your Siliguri hotel. We collect the documents needed for the North Sikkim permit on the way. Overnight in Gangtok.
Day2
Gangtok to Lachen
≈ 110–125 km · 6–7 hrs · Lachen ≈ 2,750 m
Drive north via Kabi, the Seven Sisters Waterfall, Mangan and Chungthang. Expect a slow, scenic road. Early dinner and bed: tomorrow starts very early.
Day3
Gurudongmar Lake, then on to Lachung
Pre-dawn start · ≈ 5,180 m at the lake · long day
Leave around dawn for Gurudongmar Lake. Spend a short time at the lake – the air is thin – then return to Lachen for breakfast and continue to Lachung (about 2,600–2,700 m) for the night.
Day4
Yumthang Valley (and optional Zero Point), then Gangtok
Morning excursion + ≈ 120 km drive
Visit Yumthang Valley at about 3,560 m. If roads and permits allow, add Zero Point at extra cost. Return to Gangtok in the afternoon.
Day5
Gangtok sightseeing or Tsomgo Lake
Local day
Recover with a gentle city day – monasteries, viewpoints, MG Marg – or add a Tsomgo Lake excursion if you didn't visit before (permit required).
Day6
Gangtok to Bagdogra / NJP
≈ 120–125 km · 4–5 hrs
Depart after breakfast, timed for your flight or train.
What's included
- Private vehicle with an experienced hill driver for the full itinerary
- Pickup and drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB), NJP Railway Station or your Siliguri hotel
- Fuel, driver allowance, tolls and parking on the planned route
- Arranging protected-area permits through registered channels (where the route needs them)
- Hotel booking assistance in your preferred category (budget, standard or premium)
- Trip support on call and WhatsApp before and during your tour
Not included
- Hotel tariff and meals (quoted separately according to the hotels you choose)
- Government permit fees, entry tickets, ropeway, camera and activity charges
- Flights, train tickets and travel insurance
- Extra sightseeing or detours outside the agreed itinerary
- Costs caused by landslides, road closures, weather or permit cancellations (extra nights, re-routing)
- Personal expenses: tips, laundry, porterage, shopping
Inclusions are our standard format. Your final quote lists exactly what is and isn't included.
Permits & important notes
- Indian nationals need a permit for North Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar, Yumthang). It is issued for a Sikkim-registered tourist vehicle through a registered operator; we apply once you share ID copies and photos.
- Foreign nationals can usually visit Lachung and Yumthang with a Protected Area Permit (normally in groups of two or more) but are not permitted at Gurudongmar Lake. Ask us for an alternative.
- North Sikkim roads close from time to time after landslides, heavy snow or road damage, and access to some areas (especially around Lachen and Gurudongmar) has been restricted for long periods in recent years. We check the current status before you book and again before departure.
Best time for this tour
March–June (flowers, snow on high passes) and October–November (clear skies). December–February brings heavy snow and frequent closures. June–September is monsoon with the highest landslide risk.
Read before you go
Request a quote for this tour
Takes under a minute. We reply by phone or WhatsApp with a plan and price – or chat with us on WhatsApp right away.
North Sikkim: Lachen, Lachung & Gurudongmar: FAQs
Is North Sikkim open right now?
It depends on road and weather conditions, which change through the year. Access has been suspended for weeks or months after major landslides. Message us your dates and we'll confirm the current status before you pay anything.
How do I avoid altitude sickness at Gurudongmar Lake?
Sleep at Lachen the night before, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and spend only a short time at the lake. Climb slowly and descend at once if you have a severe headache, breathlessness or confusion. Travellers with heart or lung conditions, very young children and pregnant women should take medical advice first.
Can we do North Sikkim as a day trip from Gangtok?
No. Lachen and Lachung are 6–7 hours each way from Gangtok, and permits are issued for overnight stays. Plan at least 2 nights in North Sikkim.
Which vehicle is used in North Sikkim?
Permits are issued for Sikkim-registered tourist vehicles, usually SUVs such as Bolero, Scorpio, Xylo or Innova. We arrange the right vehicle with your permit.
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Tell us your dates. We'll plan the rest.
Share your travel dates, group size and where you are arriving. We'll suggest a route, the right vehicle and a clear quote — no obligation.