Lachung
A wooden mountain village at the gate to Yumthang and Zero Point
Lachung sits where the valley of the Lachung river widens below steep, forested walls and waterfalls. The name is usually translated as small pass. The old village has wooden houses with shingle and tin roofs, apple and peach trees, and prayer flags strung across the river. Newer concrete hotels line the road, and in April, May and October the village fills with tour jeeps every evening.
Almost every visitor comes for the day trips north. Yumthang valley is 24 km up the road, and Zero Point, also called Yumesamdong, is about 23 km beyond that. The usual plan is to arrive from Gangtok in the late afternoon, leave for Yumthang at dawn the next day, come back for lunch, and then either rest or walk up to Lachung Monastery.
Lachung runs its own affairs through the Dzumsa, a traditional council led by an elected headman called the Pipon. The council sets rules on community land, festivals and even some tourism matters, and it is worth respecting them. Keep the village quiet at night, take your plastic back to Gangtok and ask before photographing people or the inside of the monastery.
Highlights
What Lachung does best
The only sensible overnight stop for the Lachung valley, with an early start possible to the rhododendrons and the snow.
A Nyingma gompa above the village, founded in the 1880s, with a quiet courtyard and valley views.
Large waterfalls on the drive from Chungthang, best after the rains in September and October.
Walk the old lanes across the river among orchards, stacked firewood and yak-hair weaving.
From December to February the village itself often gets snow, and the valley above is usually white.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Lachung
Gangtok tour operators sell seats on shared group tours that include permit, transport, room and meals. These leave from Gangtok around 10–11 am and return on the third day. Ordinary public shared jeeps carry locals; tourists need the operator's permit.
A reserved SUV from Gangtok with a registered driver costs about ₹14,000–19,000 for a two-night trip, including Yumthang. Your operator applies for the permit with ID and photographs the day before.
Fly to Bagdogra, then drive 4–5 hours to Gangtok and stay overnight. Pakyong airport near Gangtok has had irregular flights; check before relying on it.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Lachung has two kinds of stay. The old village across the river has simple family homestays at about ₹1,500–2,500 a room with meals. Along the main road and on the slopes are hotels and resorts from ₹3,000 to ₹9,000 a room, usually sold with dinner and breakfast. Very few rooms have central heating, so ask about heaters and hot water before you pay.
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.
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
- Carry your original photo ID and four passport photos; checkposts at Mangan and Chungthang may ask for them.
- Leave for Yumthang by 6 am. By 9 am a long line of jeeps reaches the valley.
- Hire snow boots and a jacket only if you are going to Zero Point in winter; ₹100–200 each is normal.
- Draw cash in Gangtok. There is no reliable ATM in Lachung.
- Drink plenty of water and skip alcohol on the first night to help your body adjust to the height.
The local story
The Dzumsa, the council that still runs Lachung
Long before Sikkim joined India in 1975, the villages of the Lachung and Lachen valleys governed themselves through a council called the Dzumsa. Every household sends a member. The council chooses a headman, the Pipon, usually for a year, and he settles disputes, organises shared work and represents the village to outsiders.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Lachung
How far is Lachung from Gangtok?
Lachung is about 120 km from Gangtok by road, through Kabi, Phodong, Mangan and Chungthang. The drive usually takes 6–8 hours, and longer when landslide repairs force one-way traffic. Operators leave Gangtok in the late morning after permits are collected, so you reach Lachung around dusk. Check current status before you travel.
Do I need a permit for Lachung?
Yes. Indian citizens need a permit arranged by a registered Sikkim tour operator, using an original photo ID and passport photos. Foreigners need the Sikkim Inner Line Permit and a Protected Area Permit, in a group of two or more through a registered agent. You cannot apply yourself at a checkpost. Check current status before you travel.
How many nights should I stay in Lachung?
Two nights is the standard. Night one after the long drive from Gangtok, the next morning for Yumthang and Zero Point, and night two to rest before driving back. One night makes the trip a rush, and many people feel tired after the long drive. A third night is worth it in spring for a slower look at the valley.
Is Lachung cold?
Yes, especially at night. In October and November nights fall near freezing; from December to February they go well below zero and snow is common. Even in May, mornings are around 5°C. Pack thermals, a warm jacket, a woollen cap and gloves, and ask whether your room has a heater, which may cost extra.
Can foreigners stay in Lachung?
Yes. Foreign nationals can visit Lachung and Yumthang with a Protected Area Permit arranged by a registered agent in Gangtok, travelling in a group of at least two. They cannot go on to Zero Point. Hotels and homestays in Lachung accept foreign guests with the right permit. Check current status before you travel.
What is there to do in Lachung itself?
Walk up to Lachung Monastery, cross the river to the old village, visit apple orchards and look at the waterfalls around the valley. In the evening there is little to do but rest, which suits most people after the drive. The real outing is the dawn trip to Yumthang and Zero Point.
Is there mobile network and Wi-Fi in Lachung?
BSNL and Jio usually work in parts of the village, with weaker Airtel. Some hotels offer Wi-Fi, but it often drops when the power or link fails. Expect no signal at Yumthang or Zero Point. Tell family before you leave Gangtok that you may be offline for two days.
Can I see snow in Lachung?
Snow falls in Lachung village in most winters, usually between late December and February. Snow is more reliable higher up: Zero Point usually has snow from November to April, and Yumthang often does from December to March. In April and May you may see snow only at Zero Point.
What food is available in Lachung?
Package stays serve simple set meals of rice, dal, vegetables and chicken or egg, with Tibetan dishes like thukpa and momo on request. A few tea stalls sell noodles and snacks. Vegetarian and Jain meals are possible if you ask ahead. Drinking water is boiled at most hotels; carry a bottle to refill.
Packages
Routes that stop in Lachung
Nearby
Pair it with
Rhododendron meadows at 3,564 m, with Zero Point above
The quiet overnight stop below Thangu and Gurudongmar
Sikkim's capital on a ridge above the Ranikhola valley
A Lepcha reserve of cardamom, rivers and village homestays
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