Mangan district · Theme
Photography in North Sikkim
Kangchenjunga at first light
Photo: soumyajit pramanick · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
In North Sikkim, photography works best in Chopta Valley, Chungthang, Gurudongmar Lake and Naga Waterfall. We have 2 packages built around it. Sunrise on Kangchenjunga from Pelling or Tashi View Point, the Zuluk loops at dawn, prayer flags at Tsomgo, Rumtek's courtyard in morning light. We plan for the hours that matter and the weather windows that open them.
The mountain shows itself most reliably from October to December and on clear spring mornings. Afternoons cloud over in most seasons, so photography trips start early and rest in the middle of the day.
Drones need permission and are banned near border areas, monasteries and military sites. Ask before photographing people and inside prayer halls.
Places
Where to go
valley
Chopta Va…4,000M
Chopta Valley
A high meadow beside the Lachen river, just beyond Thangu
town
Chungthang1,600M
Chungthang
Where the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet to form the Teesta
lake
Gurudongm…5,150M
Gurudongmar Lake
A sacred lake near the Tibet border, above 5,000 m
waterfall
Naga Wate…1,300M
Naga Waterfall
A roadside waterfall before Toong on the way to Chungthang
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
viewpoint
Singhik1,500M
Singhik
A Lepcha village above Mangan with a view up to Kangchenjunga
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
viewpoint
Zero Poin…4,660M
Zero Point (Yumesamdong)
Where the civilian road ends, about 4,660 m above Lachung
Price your own route
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Trips to start from
Indicative prices per person, twin sharing. Each one can be changed.
Value
Top5,183M
Lachen, Thangu and Chopta Valley slowly
Gangtok · Lachen · Lachung · Gangtok
Value
Top4,700M
Yumthang rhododendron season
Gangtok · Lachung · Gangtok
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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 …
Nature
Watching two rivers become the Teesta
Stop above the confluence at Chungthang and watch the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu meet to form the Teesta, Sikkim's main river. …
Culture
Understanding the 2023 Teesta flood
At Chungthang you can see where the October 2023 glacial lake outburst destroyed the Teesta Stage III dam. A short, sober stop …
Adventure
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 …
Wellness
Chungthang as your altitude safety net
At about 1,600 m, Chungthang is the lowest point between the high valleys. If someone develops altitude sickness at Gurudongmar or Zero …
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
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