Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at 3,753 m on the road to Nathu La
Tsomgo Lake lies in a bowl of steep, rocky slopes at 3,753 m, about 1 km long and fed by snowmelt from the surrounding ridges. The Bhutia name is usually translated as source of the lake, and locally it is also called Changu. It sits beside the Jawaharlal Nehru Road from Gangtok to Nathu La, so you see it from the car long before you reach the shore.
Its look changes completely with the season. From January to March it is often frozen and ringed with snow. In May and June the slopes around it carry rhododendrons and primulas. From October to December the water is clear and the sky usually blue. In the monsoon it is often in cloud.
The lakeside is busy in season, with yaks for rides, tea and noodle stalls, and visitors in hired snow boots. Walk a few hundred metres along the shore path and the crowd thins. Because it is high, keep your visit to a few hours, move slowly and go back down if you feel unwell.
Highlights
What Tsomgo Lake does best
From about January to March the surface often freezes and the shore is deep in snow.
Rhododendrons and primulas bloom on the slopes around the lake in May and early June.
Decorated yaks carry visitors along the lake edge for a short, fixed-price ride.
The road passes through a protected high-altitude forest with rhododendrons, firs and rare birds.
Indian visitors with the right permit can continue to the border pass and the shrine to Baba Harbhajan Singh.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Tsomgo Lake
Agents on MG Marg sell seats in pooled vehicles for Tsomgo and Baba Mandir for about ₹700–1,200 a person including the permit. Vehicles leave Gangtok around 7–8 am.
A reserved car through a registered agent costs about ₹3,500–5,000 for Tsomgo and Baba Mandir, and ₹5,500–7,500 with Nathu La. Only vehicles registered for the route may carry tourists.
Fly to Bagdogra, spend at least one night in Gangtok to acclimatise, and do the lake as a day trip. Check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
There are no tourist hotels at the lake, and overnight stays are not allowed for visitors. Stay in Gangtok, where a guesthouse costs ₹1,200–2,500, a mid-range hotel ₹3,000–6,000 and heritage or resort stays ₹9,000 and up. Choose a hotel that will serve breakfast early or pack it, as permit vehicles leave between 7 and 8 am.
An established mid-range hotel on Tibet Road, a few minutes' walk from MG Marg, with rooms that look out over the valley towards Kangchenjunga on clear …
A long-running, family-run guest house on Bhanu Path, a short walk below MG Marg. Rooms are simple and warm, the garden is quiet, and the welcome …
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. BeginFrom our planners
Five things to know
- Give photo ID and two passport photos to the agent by early afternoon the day before.
- Spend at least one night in Gangtok before going up; do not come straight from Siliguri.
- Hire boots and a coat at the stalls on the way only if needed, for about ₹100–200 each.
- Walk slowly at the lake; at 3,753 m, rushing brings on headaches and breathlessness.
- Do not throw anything into the lake; it is sacred to local Buddhists and Hindus.
The local story
The lake the lamas read
Tsomgo has long been treated as a sacred lake by the Buddhist and Hindu people of Sikkim. Its name is usually given as source of the lake, and it sits on a route that pilgrims, traders and soldiers have used for centuries on the way to Nathu La and Tibet.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Tsomgo Lake
How far is Tsomgo Lake from Gangtok?
Tsomgo Lake is about 38 km from Gangtok on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road towards Nathu La. The drive climbs from about 1,650 m to 3,753 m and takes 1.5–2 hours each way, longer in snow or heavy traffic. Most trips leave Gangtok at 7–8 am and return by mid-afternoon.
What permit do I need for Tsomgo Lake?
Indian nationals need a permit arranged by a registered travel agent, using a government photo ID and passport photos submitted the day before. Foreigners can visit with a Protected Area Permit, also through an agent, usually in a group of at least two. Rules are indicative. Check current status before you travel.
When is Tsomgo Lake frozen?
The lake is usually partly or fully frozen from about January to March, depending on the winter. December and early April may show ice at the edges. Snow around the lake is common from December to April. Heavy snowfall can close the road for a day or more, so keep your plans flexible.
Can I visit Tsomgo Lake in the monsoon?
Yes, the road usually stays open, but expect cloud, drizzle and limited views from June to September, and occasional landslides that delay or cancel trips. The lake can look grey and misty. If your dates are flexible, autumn and spring give a far better experience.
Is Tsomgo Lake safe for children and elderly travellers?
Most healthy children and older travellers visit without trouble, but the lake is at 3,753 m, where air is thin and cold. Spend a night in Gangtok first, keep the visit short, dress warmly and avoid running or climbing. People with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before going.
Can foreigners go to Tsomgo Lake?
Yes. Foreign nationals with the Sikkim Inner Line Permit can visit Tsomgo on a day trip with a Protected Area Permit arranged through a registered agent, usually in a group of two or more. They cannot continue to Nathu La. Carry your passport on the day. Check current status before you travel.
Can I combine Tsomgo Lake with Nathu La on the same day?
Yes, if you are an Indian national and hold a Nathu La permit. Most combined trips go to Nathu La first, then Baba Mandir, then Tsomgo on the way back. Nathu La is usually closed to tourists on Mondays and Tuesdays, and its permit must be applied for a day in advance.
Is there a ropeway at Tsomgo Lake?
A ropeway runs from near the lake shore up the slope to a viewpoint, giving a wider view of the lake and the surrounding ridges. It does not run in bad weather or high winds, and tickets cost about ₹350–500. Check at the lake whether it is operating on the day.
What should I wear for Tsomgo Lake?
Wear warm layers whatever the season: thermals, a fleece, a windproof jacket, gloves and a hat. Even in May, wind at the lake is cold. In winter, waterproof boots help in snow; stalls on the way hire boots and coats for ₹100–200 each. Sunglasses and sunscreen matter on bright days.
Nearby
Pair it with
Sikkim's capital on a ridge above the Ranikhola valley
The border pass at 4,310 m on the old road to Lhasa
Hairpin bends and homestays on the old Silk Route
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. Begin