Adventure · Chungthang
Lachen or Lachung first from Chungthang
Chungthang is where your route forks. Going to Lachen first and Lachung second usually suits acclimatisation and Gurudongmar timing. We explain how the junction shapes a 3-night or 4-night North Sikkim trip.
Photo: Biswas Dibyendu · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Because both valleys meet at Chungthang, a North Sikkim loop means driving up one valley, coming back down to Chungthang, and climbing the other. Most operators go to Lachen first: you sleep at about 2,750 m, visit Gurudongmar at about 5,150 m early next morning, return to Lachen, then drive down through Chungthang and up to Lachung the same afternoon. Yumthang and Zero Point follow on day three.
The alternative, Lachung first, works when Lachen is closed or permits are not available. Either way, the day with Gurudongmar and the transfer through Chungthang is long, often 10–12 hours. Families and seniors may prefer a slower plan with an extra night.
Road status decides a lot. The Lachen side was closed for long periods after the 2023 flood and again in 2026, while the Lachung side has been steadier since its September 2025 reopening. We confirm the order with you a few days before travel. Check current status before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Should I go to Lachen or Lachung first?
Lachen first is usually better: you sleep lower before the early Gurudongmar trip, then transfer through Chungthang to Lachung for Yumthang. If the Lachen road is closed or permits are limited, Lachung first, or Lachung only, is the fallback. We confirm the order a few days before travel.
How far is Lachung from Chungthang?
Lachung is about 25 km from Chungthang up the Lachung Chu, roughly an hour or a little more by road. Lachen is a similar distance up the other valley. Both stretches can be slow after rain or snow, and on the Lachen side there is a single-lane bridge at Taram Chu.
Can I visit both Lachen and Lachung in two nights?
Yes, the classic 2N/3D trip spends one night in Lachen and one in Lachung, crossing at Chungthang. It is tiring, with very early starts and long drives. If you can, add a night for a gentler pace and a buffer against road closures.
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