A snow day in Lachung

From late December to February Lachung usually has snow on the ground for at least part of the season, and fresh falls cover the roofs, orchards and road. For many Indian families it is their first real snow, and it is often easier to enjoy here, at about 2,700 m, than at Zero Point, where cold and altitude bite hard. Daytime temperatures are around 0–8 °C and nights fall to about −5 °C.

Snow also closes roads. Yumthang may be shut for days, Zero Point is often out of reach, and the drive from Gangtok can be delayed by ice beyond Chungthang. We plan winter trips with an extra night and tell you honestly when a road is closed. A slow day in the village, with a walk to the monastery and an evening by the stove, can be the best part of the trip.

Hire snow boots and a long coat in Lachung, and bring thermals, gloves, a cap, sunglasses and lip balm. Children under five are not permitted in North Sikkim protected areas, so winter Lachung is for families with older children only.