Mangan district · Theme
Flowers and forests in North Sikkim
Rhododendrons, orchids and silver fir
Photo: soumyajit pramanick · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
In North Sikkim, flowers and forests works best in Chopta Valley, Lachung, Seven Sisters Waterfall and Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. We have 6 packages built around it. Sikkim's state tree is the rhododendron and its state flower the noble orchid. Barsey, Yumthang's Shingba sanctuary and the Goecha La trail turn red, pink and white from March to May. We plan around bloom, not calendars.
Rhododendrons flower from about 1,800 m in March up to the alpine zone in late May, so one trip can follow the bloom uphill. Orchids are best in the lower valleys and at the orchid sanctuaries around Gangtok.
Bloom moves with the weather each year. We watch reports from the sanctuaries and tell you honestly if a week looks early or late.
Places
Where to go
valley
Chopta Va…4,000M
Chopta Valley
A high meadow beside the Lachen river, just beyond Thangu
village
Lachung2,700M
Lachung
A Dzumsa-run village at 2,700 m on the road to Yumthang
waterfall
Seven Sis…1,300M
Seven Sisters Waterfall
A roadside cascade in the Kabi forest on the way to Phodong
sanctuary
Shingba R…3,200M
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
Sikkim's rhododendron forest on the road to Yumthang
valley
Thangu3,900M
Thangu
The last village before Gurudongmar, at about 3,900 m
valley
Yumthang …3,564M
Yumthang Valley
Sikkim's valley of flowers at 3,564 m, 24 km above Lachung
Price your own route
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We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartPackages
Trips to start from
Indicative prices per person, twin sharing. Each one can be changed.
Value
Top3,564M
North Sikkim family trip, slower ascent
Gangtok · Lachung · Gangtok
Budget
Top3,564M
Gangtok and Lachung budget trip
Gangtok · Lachung · Gangtok
Value
Top5,183M
Gangtok and North Sikkim in a private car
Gangtok · Lachen · Lachung · Gangtok
Budget
Top5,183M
Lachen, Gurudongmar and Lachung loop
Lachen · Lachung
Budget
Top3,564M
Lachung and Yumthang on a budget
Lachung · Gangtok
Value
Top4,700M
Yumthang rhododendron season
Gangtok · Lachung · Gangtok
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartExperiences
Hours that fit the theme
Nature
An hour in the Chopta meadow
On the way back from Gurudongmar, if permitted, turn into Chopta Valley for a slow walk by the Lachen river through open …
Wellness
Chopta for those not going to the lake
If a family member is too young, too unwell or simply not keen on 5,000 m, Chopta and Thangu make a sensible …
Nature
Snow and ice in Chopta Valley
From late autumn, snow covers the Chopta meadows and ice forms along the Lachen river. When the Gurudongmar road is open, the …
Culture
In Hooker's footsteps up the Lachen valley
In 1849 the botanist Joseph Hooker walked up this valley past Thangu towards the Tibetan passes, describing the herders, meadows and plants …
Monasteries and shrines
Morning walk to Lachung Monastery
Cross the Lachung Chu on foot and climb to the village's Nyingma monastery, founded in 1880, for morning prayers and a view …
Village life
An evening in a Lachungpa family kitchen
Spend an evening by the stove with a Lachungpa family: butter tea, thukpa, local greens and stories of the Dzumsa, herds and …
Culture
Orchards and lanes of old Lachung
Walk the lanes between old wooden houses, apple orchards and potato fields with a local guide, and see how a high village …
Nature
A snow day in Lachung
In midwinter Lachung often lies under snow, and the village becomes the destination when Yumthang and Zero Point are closed. Walk, play …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartStays
Where we would book
Premium
Yarlam Resort
The most polished hotel in Lachung, set on the slope above the village near the army camp, with valley-facing rooms, room heating, a restaurant …
Comfort
Le Coxy Resort
A larger, modern resort at Fakha on the Lachung side of the valley, popular with families for spacious rooms, heated mattresses and a buffet …
Value
Fortuna Lachung
A well-reviewed mid-range hotel near the police check post on the Yumthang road, with valley views and staff who understand cold-weather guests. Good value …
Value
Snow Lion Mountain Resort
A friendly, modestly priced hotel near the State Bank ATM in Lachung, close to the river, often praised for its hosts and home-style food. …
Budget
Lachung family homestays
Several Lachungpa families take guests in their homes, with dinner and breakfast cooked in the family kitchen. It is the cheapest way to sleep …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
- No payment to start
- Permits handled through registered partners
- Every hotel, car and fee listed