Food · Thangu
Hot breakfast at 3,900 m
Stop at one of Thangu's simple eateries for tea, parathas, eggs or noodles as dawn lights the valley. A warm meal here makes the cold, high hour at Gurudongmar far easier, and the cooks know every driver on the road.
Photo: Amitabha Gupta · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Thangu's eateries open in the dark for the Gurudongmar convoy. Inside, a stove keeps the room warm, kettles of tea are ready, and the menu is short: parathas, omelettes, instant noodles, sometimes thukpa. It is plain food, but at 3,900 m and 6 am it is exactly right.
Eat even if you have little appetite. Altitude often dulls hunger, but your body needs energy for the cold and the climb. Keep it light and warm, drink a cup or two of tea or hot water, and avoid heavy, oily food. Fill your bottle if they have boiled water.
Use the toilet here, since there is little at the lake, and step outside to watch the light reach the peaks. Drivers usually allow 30 to 45 minutes before moving on.
Good for
Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Is breakfast included at Thangu?
In some packages breakfast is packed from the Lachen hotel; in others you buy breakfast at Thangu, about ₹100–250 per person. Check your package. Even with a packed breakfast, a hot drink at Thangu is welcome.
What food is available at Thangu?
Simple, warm food: tea, coffee, parathas, omelettes, instant noodles and sometimes thukpa or momos. Vegetarian options are easy. Do not expect a full menu, and carry snacks in case an eatery is closed.
Are there toilets at Thangu?
Yes, basic toilets at eateries and in the village. Standards vary, so carry tissue and hand sanitiser. Use them here, as facilities at Gurudongmar Lake are minimal or absent.
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