North Sikkim
North Sikkim is the high, permit-controlled part of the state above Mangan, reached on 2–3 night trips from Gangtok. People come for the Yumthang valley and its rhododendrons, snow at Zero Point, and Gurudongmar Lake at about 5,430 m. Go March to May or October to November, and check road status first.
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North Sikkim, in brief
North Sikkim is the largest and least crowded district of Sikkim, now officially called Mangan district. It runs from the warm Teesta gorge at Mangan, under 1,000 m, to the cold desert plateau on the Tibetan border above 5,000 m. Two valleys carry almost all visitors: the Lachung valley to the north-east, with Yumthang and Zero Point, and the Lachen valley to the north-west, with Thangu and Gurudongmar Lake.
Almost everyone visits on a short package from Gangtok, because the area is restricted. Indian travellers need a permit arranged by a registered tour operator, and foreigners need a Protected Area Permit and can only go as far as Yumthang on the Lachung side. You cannot drive your own car or go alone. The usual trip is two nights in Lachung, or three nights covering Lachen and Lachung together.
The roads are the hard part. On 4 October 2023 a glacial lake outburst sent a flood down the Teesta, damaging the Chungthang dam, bridges and long stretches of the North Sikkim highway. Repairs have gone on since, and monsoon landslides have closed the area for days or weeks at a time. Routes, permits and the Lachen–Lachung link can change at short notice. Check current status before you travel.
For the slower traveller there is Dzongu, a Lepcha reserve on the west bank of the Teesta below Mangan. It sits much lower, at roughly 700–2,000 m, with cardamom groves, waterfalls and village homestays. It needs its own permit but has none of the altitude risk, and it pairs well with a night or two in the high valleys.
Why go
Reasons to go, plainly
From mid-April to May the valley floor at 3,564 m turns pink and red with rhododendrons inside the Shingba sanctuary.
A sacred glacial lake at about 5,430 m, open to Indian travellers only, reached at dawn from Lachen.
Yumesamdong, about 23 km above Yumthang, usually has snow from November to April and is the end of the road for tourists.
Two wooden Bhutia villages run by their own traditional councils, the Dzumsa, with monasteries above the rooftops.
A protected Lepcha reserve where you stay in family homes, walk to waterfalls and eat local food.
Waterfalls, gorges and suspension bridges between Mangan, Chungthang and the high valleys make the long road part of the trip.
The map
Where to go in North Sikkim
A Lepcha reserve of cardamom, rivers and village homestays
A sacred lake at about 5,430 m on the edge of the Tibetan plateau
The quiet overnight stop below Thangu and Gurudongmar
A wooden mountain village at the gate to Yumthang and Zero Point
Rhododendron meadows at 3,564 m, with Zero Point above
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. BeginPackages
Routes through North Sikkim
Budget tier prices per person, twin sharing. Every package also comes in Value and Comfort tiers, and every route can be changed.
Experiences
Hours worth planning around
Where we book
Stays in North Sikkim
Family-run rooms in the older part of Lachung, across the river from the main road. Simple, warm hospitality and home-cooked meals at the lowest price in …
An established mid-range resort in Lachung with wooden-finished rooms and valley views, commonly used on Value packages. Reliable service and meals at a fair price for …
One of the most comfortable resorts in Lachung, with larger rooms, better heating and mountain views. Our Comfort-tier choice for the Lachung valley.
Simple family-run lodges and homestays in Lachen, used by almost every Gurudongmar package. Basic, warm-hearted and set up for 4 am starts.
Family homestays in Lepcha villages such as Lingthem, Passingdang and Hee Gyathang. The main way to stay in the reserve, and one of the most rewarding …
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. BeginDaily budget
What a day in North Sikkim costs
Budget
₹2,500–3,500
per person per day: a seat on a shared group tour from Gangtok, a homestay or simple lodge room shared by two, all meals, and the permit fee
Value
₹4,500–6,500
per person per day: a reserved car shared by two, a good hotel in Lachung or Lachen with meals, permits and the driver's costs
Comfort
₹8,000–12,000
per person per day: a newer SUV for two, the best rooms on the route with heating, all meals, permits and the Zero Point add-on
Per person per day, twin sharing, for planning. Budget builder →
Month by month
North Sikkim through the year
North Sikkim by travel style
The calendar
Festivals worth the dates
Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is the main winter festival in the Bhutia villages of Lachung and Lachen. It is mainly a …
Saga Dawa marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and is observed across Sikkim, including at the monasteries of Lachen …
Namsoong is the Lepcha New Year, celebrated by Lepcha families in Dzongu and across Sikkim and Kalimpong in December. It mixes household …
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. BeginGetting there
Arriving in North Sikkim
Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), then drive 114–125 km to Gangtok in 4–5 hours. North Sikkim trips start from Gangtok, where operators arrange permits and vehicles. From Gangtok the road runs north through Kabi, Phodong and Mangan (67 km, about 3 hours) to Chungthang, where it splits: Lachung is about 120 km and Lachen about 125 km from Gangtok, each 6–8 hours depending on road repairs. Shared jeeps run from Gangtok to Mangan for Dzongu. Since the October 2023 flood, some stretches run on temporary roads or one-way timings. Check current status before you travel.
Permits
Paperwork to know
Indian citizens need a permit for Lachung, Yumthang, Zero Point, Lachen and Gurudongmar, applied for by a registered Sikkim tour operator with your photo ID and photographs; you travel in a registered vehicle with that operator. Foreign nationals need the Sikkim Inner Line Permit to enter the state plus a Protected Area Permit for North Sikkim, in a group of two or more through a registered agent, and may go only as far as Lachung, Yumthang and Lachen. Gurudongmar and Zero Point are closed to foreigners. Dzongu needs a separate permit, usually arranged through your homestay. Check current status before you travel.
Guides
Read before North Sikkim
Choose Lachung for Yumthang valley, rhododendrons, Zero Point snow and better rooms; it is open to foreigners as far as Yumthang. Choose Lachen for …
Indian travellers need a permit for Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang, Zero Point and Gurudongmar, applied for by a registered tour operator; you cannot apply alone. …
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. BeginQuestions travellers ask
Questions about North Sikkim
How many days do I need for North Sikkim?
Two nights from Gangtok covers Lachung, Yumthang and, if open, Zero Point. Three nights lets you add Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake. Add two nights in Dzongu if you want a calm, low-altitude village stay. Count one more day for Gangtok on each side, as you arrive from Siliguri and need a night there while the operator arranges permits.
Can I travel to North Sikkim on my own?
Not fully. Permits for Lachung, Lachen and the lakes are issued only through registered tour operators, and you must travel in a registered vehicle. You can choose a shared group tour, which is the cheapest, or a reserved car for your group. Dzongu is easier: you can reach Mangan by shared jeep and your homestay can help with the permit.
Can foreigners visit Gurudongmar Lake?
No. Foreign nationals are not permitted at Gurudongmar Lake or Zero Point, and OCI card holders should confirm their own status with the operator. With a Protected Area Permit arranged by a registered agent, foreigners can visit Lachung, Yumthang and Lachen in a group of at least two. Rules have shifted before, so check current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit North Sikkim?
April and May for rhododendrons in Yumthang and a thawing Gurudongmar, and October to November for clear skies and dry roads. December to March brings snow at Zero Point but closures are common on the Gurudongmar road. June to early September is monsoon: landslides are frequent and permits are often suspended.
Is altitude sickness a real risk here?
Yes. Lachung and Lachen are about 2,700 m, Yumthang 3,564 m, Zero Point about 4,700 m and Gurudongmar about 5,430 m. Spend a night at Lachen or Lachung before going higher, drink water, avoid alcohol, and come down at once if you get a bad headache, vomiting or confusion. People with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before going above 4,000 m.
Are the roads open after the 2023 Teesta flood?
The flood of October 2023 damaged bridges and long sections of road around Chungthang, and North Sikkim was closed to tourists for long periods afterwards. Access has since reopened in stages, but landslides keep causing closures, especially in the monsoon. Ask your operator on the day of booking and again the day before you leave. Check current status before you travel.
How much does a North Sikkim trip cost?
Indicatively, a two-night shared group tour from Gangtok to Lachung costs about ₹5,000–7,500 per person with basic rooms and meals. A reserved car for two nights runs about ₹14,000–19,000 per vehicle, plus hotels. Zero Point is an extra ₹3,000–4,500 per vehicle. Prices rise in April, May and October.
Is there mobile signal and ATM access?
Signal is patchy. BSNL and Jio usually work in parts of Lachung and Lachen, while Airtel is weaker; expect no signal at Yumthang, Zero Point or Gurudongmar. Mangan has ATMs, but carry enough cash from Gangtok for tips, snow gear hire, tea stalls and extras, as cards are rarely accepted in the high villages.
Is North Sikkim suitable for children and older travellers?
Lachung and Yumthang suit most healthy families. Gurudongmar is a different matter: at 5,430 m, operators and doctors generally advise against taking small children, and older travellers with heart, lung or blood pressure problems should take medical advice first. The long drives on rough roads are also tiring, so build in rest.