Mangan district · Theme
Snow and winter in North Sikkim
December to March, above 3,000 m
Photo: soumyajit pramanick · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
In North Sikkim, snow and winter works best in Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachen and Lachung. We have 7 packages built around it. Snow usually reaches Tsomgo, Nathu La, Zero Point, Lachung and the Silk Route between December and March. Roads close after heavy falls and reopen when the Army and BRO clear them, so winter trips need a flexible day.
Gangtok rarely sees snow, but an hour above it the road to Tsomgo often turns white by late December. Lachung and Yumthang are snowbound for much of January and February, and Zero Point is snow from November to April most years.
We plan winter trips with a buffer day, a 4x4 where the road needs one, and rooms with heating. Road and pass status changes daily in winter: check current status before you travel.
Places
Where to go
valley
Chopta Va…4,000M
Chopta Valley
A high meadow beside the Lachen river, just beyond Thangu
lake
Gurudongm…5,150M
Gurudongmar Lake
A sacred lake near the Tibet border, above 5,000 m
village
Lachen2,750M
Lachen
Gurudongmar's base village, run by its own Dzumsa
village
Lachung2,700M
Lachung
A Dzumsa-run village at 2,700 m on the road to Yumthang
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
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. StartPackages
Trips to start from
Indicative prices per person, twin sharing. Each one can be changed.
Budget
Top5,183M
Gangtok, Gurudongmar and Yumthang budget
Gangtok · Lachen · Lachung · Gangtok
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
Budget
Top3,564M
Lachung snow trip, December to February
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 …
Adventure
The pre-dawn drive to Gurudongmar
Leave Lachen in the dark, watch dawn break over the Lachen valley, breakfast at Thangu and cross a Tibet-like plateau to reach …
Monasteries and shrines
Walking the pilgrims' shore
At the lake, join the pilgrims' slow clockwise walk past chortens and prayer flags to the small shrine looked after by Lachen …
Wildlife and birds
Yaks and blue sheep on the high plateau
Between Thangu and the lake, the high plateau is grazing land for domestic yaks and home to wild animals such as blue …
Wellness
A safe plan for 5,000 m
Gurudongmar is high enough to make healthy people ill. Our simple plan: two nights of acclimatisation, light meals, plenty of water, no …
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 …
Comfort
Summit Gangchen
Run by the Sikkim-based Summit Hotels group, Summit Gangchen is the largest and best-equipped hotel in Lachen, with electrically heated beds and a multi-cuisine …
Budget
Lachen family homestays
Lachenpa families in the old village above the road host guests in wooden and stone houses, with dinner and an early breakfast. A low-cost, …
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