Gurudongmar Lake
A sacred lake at about 5,430 m on the edge of the Tibetan plateau
Gurudongmar is one of the highest lakes in India that tourists can reach by road. It lies at about 5,430 m on a bare, windswept plateau north of Thangu, close to the border with Tibet, with the snow peaks of the Kangchengyao range behind. In winter it freezes over; from May the ice breaks up and the water turns a deep blue.
The lake is sacred to Buddhists, who link it with Guru Padmasambhava, and it is also visited by Sikhs. A small shrine stands by the shore with prayer flags. Treat the place with respect: do not throw coins or rubbish into the water, and keep your voice down.
Getting here is a serious undertaking. You sleep in Lachen, leave around 4 am and drive 67 km through army checkposts, reaching the lake by about 7–8 am. At this height the air holds roughly half the oxygen of sea level. Most visitors spend 30–45 minutes, walk slowly and drive straight back down.
Highlights
What Gurudongmar Lake does best
At about 5,430 m the lake sits higher than any other place most travellers will ever reach by road.
Local tradition says Guru Padmasambhava blessed part of the lake so it would not freeze, giving herders water in winter.
Beyond Thangu the trees end and the land opens into brown, high desert under snow peaks, close to Tibet.
From October to early November the lake is usually clear, still and deep blue in the morning light.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Gurudongmar Lake
All visits are in the registered vehicle on your Lachen package. Drivers leave Lachen around 4 am and pass army checkposts at Thangu and beyond. Private self-drive is not allowed.
On a shared group tour the Gurudongmar run is included and the jeep is shared with other guests. Everyone leaves and returns together.
Fly to Bagdogra, drive to Gangtok, then to Lachen the next day. The lake is reached on the third morning at the earliest.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
There are no stays at the lake. Sleep in Lachen at about 2,750 m, where lodges and homestays cost ₹1,500–3,000 a room with meals and better hotels ₹3,500–7,000. Two nights in Lachen before the lake is safer than one.
Simple family-run lodges and homestays in Lachen, used by almost every Gurudongmar package. Basic, warm-hearted and set up for 4 am starts.
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Five things to know
- Do not go if you already have altitude symptoms in Lachen.
- Walk slowly at the lake, do not run or climb the slopes, and keep your stay short.
- Carry water, sunglasses, sunscreen, a warm cap and windproof gloves; the wind is hard and the sun strong.
- Talk to your doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood pressure problems, or if you are pregnant.
- Ask the operator the day before whether the road is open; snow and landslides close it often.
The local story
The lake that Guru Rinpoche kept from freezing
Gurudongmar takes its name from Guru Padmasambhava, the teacher who is said to have brought Buddhism to Tibet and Sikkim in the 8th century. Buddhists in Sikkim call him Guru Rinpoche, and many places in the state are linked to his travels.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Gurudongmar Lake
Can foreigners visit Gurudongmar Lake?
No. Gurudongmar Lake is closed to foreign nationals. Foreigners with a Protected Area Permit can go to Lachen and the Lachung side up to Yumthang, but not to Gurudongmar or Zero Point. Indian citizens can visit with a permit arranged by a registered tour operator. Check current status before you travel.
How high is Gurudongmar Lake?
About 5,430 m, though some sources give slightly different figures. That is higher than Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and roughly 2,700 m above Lachen, where you sleep the night before. It is one of the highest lakes in the world reachable by road.
Is Gurudongmar safe for children?
Operators and doctors generally advise against taking babies and young children to 5,430 m, because they cannot always tell you how they feel. Healthy older children can go if they are well in Lachen, with a short stay at the lake. When in doubt, a parent and child can wait at Thangu or Lachen.
When is the best time to visit Gurudongmar?
April to June, when the ice is breaking up, and October to early November, when the sky is clearest and the water blue. From December to March the lake is frozen and the road often closes after snow. June to September brings monsoon landslides on the way.
How long can I stay at the lake?
Most people stay 30–45 minutes, which is enough to walk to the shore, visit the shrine and take pictures. Staying longer raises the risk of altitude sickness, and the wind strengthens through the morning. The army may also ask vehicles to head back by a set time.
What are the signs of altitude sickness at Gurudongmar?
Headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual tiredness and breathlessness at rest. Confusion, stumbling or a wet cough are danger signs that need immediate descent. If anyone shows these, go down at once. Oxygen from a can can help briefly, but descent is the real treatment.
Does Gurudongmar Lake freeze?
Yes, the lake freezes over in winter, usually from about December to April. Local tradition holds that part of the lake, blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, does not freeze completely. From May the ice breaks up, and by October the lake is open water.
How cold is it at Gurudongmar?
Even in May and October, early mornings are below freezing and the wind makes it feel much colder. In winter temperatures fall far below zero. Wear thermals, a down or heavy jacket, a windproof layer, a woollen cap and gloves, and protect your eyes from glare.
Is the Gurudongmar road open after the 2023 flood?
The flood of October 2023 and later landslides damaged roads around Chungthang and the Lachen valley, and tourist access to Lachen and Gurudongmar was suspended for long periods. It reopens when repairs and army clearance allow. Ask your operator before booking. Check current status before you travel.
Nearby
Pair it with
The quiet overnight stop below Thangu and Gurudongmar
A wooden mountain village at the gate to Yumthang and Zero Point
Sikkim's capital on a ridge above the Ranikhola valley
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