North Sikkim
Gurudongmar at 5,183m, the Yumthang valley, and a village called Lachen where the road ends.
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Placeholder artwork — real trip photography drops in here.
About this trip
The part of Sikkim most people never reach, because it needs permits and a driver who knows the road. Seven days from Gangtok up to Lachen and Lachung — villages at the top of the state where the electricity is intermittent and the valleys are enormous. Gurudongmar lake at 5,183m is the high point in both senses; the Yumthang valley in spring is a rhododendron sanctuary that does not photograph properly. Arjun grew up between Gangtok and Thimphu and handles the permits, which is most of the work.
- Gurudongmar lake at 5,183m, one of the highest lakes in the world
- The Yumthang valley — a rhododendron sanctuary in spring
- Zero Point, where the road simply stops
- Two nights in Lachen and Lachung village homestays
- Tsomgo lake and Baba Mandir on the way back
- Rumtek and Enchey monasteries in Gangtok
Day by day
7 days, written by the host who runs it.
Day 1Arrive Gangtok
Pick-up from Bagdogra or NJP, then the climb to Gangtok. Evening on MG Marg. Permits get processed tonight.
Day 2Gangtok
Rumtek monastery, the Do Drul chorten, Enchey and the Namgyal Institute. An easy day — you are at 1,650m and tomorrow you go a lot higher.
Day 3Gangtok to Lachen
The long drive north past Seven Sisters falls and the Chungthang confluence to Lachen at 2,750m. Early night.
Day 4Gurudongmar, then Lachung
A 4am start for Gurudongmar at 5,183m — cold, thin and completely worth it. Kala Patthar on the way back, then across to Lachung for the night.
Day 5Yumthang and Zero Point
The Yumthang valley in the morning, then up to Zero Point at 4,700m if the road is open. Back to Lachung, then down to Gangtok by evening.
Day 6Tsomgo lake
East to Tsomgo lake at 3,750m and Baba Mandir, close to the Nathu La. Back to Gangtok for a last dinner.
Day 7Out
Drop to Bagdogra or NJP for afternoon flights and trains.
What the price covers
Included
- 6 nights — 3 in Gangtok, 1 Lachen, 1 Lachung, 1 Gangtok, twin sharing
- All breakfasts and dinners
- All transport including Bagdogra or NJP transfers, in vehicles rated for these roads
- All protected-area permits, which is the part nobody else wants to do
- Your host throughout, plus a local driver who knows the Lachen road
Not included
- Flights or trains to Bagdogra or NJP
- Lunches
- Zero Point, which is a separate permit and around ₹1,200 shared per vehicle
- Travel insurance
- Anything personal, and any cost from a road or pass closure
Where you sleep, how you move
Stay
A comfortable Gangtok hotel for three nights with reliable hot water, and village homestays in Lachen and Lachung which are simple, warm and the highlight for most groups. Twin sharing throughout. Heating in the north is a blanket and a hot water bottle.
Transport
Shared Innova or Xylo for the whole circuit with a Sikkim-registered driver. North Sikkim roads are landslide-prone and this is not a smooth drive.
What to carry
- A 50–60L rucksack, plus a small daypack
- Layers: thermals, fleece, and a windproof outer shell
- Broken-in trekking or walking shoes — not new ones
- Sunglasses, SPF 50, lip balm, a wide-brimmed hat
- A reusable water bottle — we do not carry single-use plastic
- Personal medication, plus any prescription you rely on
- A power bank; charging points are scarce past the last town
Who this trip is for
Open to 18–55. Gurudongmar sits at 5,183m and you reach it by road in a single morning, which is a fast gain — anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition should not book. Foreign passport holders cannot get the Gurudongmar permit, so this trip is for Indian passport holders only.
Cancellation & refunds
Specific to this trip, because a permit-bound Himalayan departure cannot carry the same terms as a weekend by a river.
- More than 45 days before departure — full refund, less a ₹2,500 processing fee.
- 30 to 45 days before departure — 60% refund. Permits and stays are blocked this far out and are non-recoverable.
- 15 to 29 days before departure — 30% refund.
- Under 15 days before departure — no refund. Your seat is transferable to a friend at no cost.
- Weather or road closures are outside anyone's control. If we cannot run the trip you get a full refund or a free transfer.
Full terms are in our refund & cancellation policy.
Meet your host
Arjun Thapa
Based in Gangtok, Sikkim · 5 trips led
Grew up between Gangtok and Thimphu, which makes him the obvious person to run Bhutan. Fluent in Nepali, Dzongkha and the particular patience required at a Himalayan border post.
Not quite the one?
There are other departures, and we would rather put you on the right trip than the nearest one.
Or reach us on WhatsApp at +91 96063 37793