Sikkim High Passes · 27.7167° N, 88.5500° E

Lachen & Gurudongmar Lake

High Plateau Gateway to Sacred Gurudongmar (5,148 m)

Tucked beneath sheer granite walls in North Sikkim, Lachen is the overnight acclimatization base for the pre-dawn climb up the Tibetan plateau edge to Gurudongmar Lake—one of the highest sacred glacial lakes on Earth at 5,148 m.

Elevation Datum

2,750 m (9,022 ft)

Best Travel Window

Apr–Jun · Oct–Nov

Road Access from Bagdogra (IXB) / NJP

107 km from Gangtok to Lachen (~5 hrs); +65 km early-dawn ascent to Gurudongmar Lake

Permit & Documentation Advisory

Strict Protected Area Permit (PAP) required. Acclimatization night at Lachen (2,750 m) mandatory before ascending to 5,148 m.

Key Geographic & Cultural Highlights

• Gurudongmar Glacial Lake (5,148 m / 16,890 ft)
• Thangu High-Altitude Alpine Valley (3,900 m)
• Chopta Valley Panorama
• Lachen Ngodub Choling Monastery
• Confluence at Chungthang