Yumthang Valley
Rhododendron meadows at 3,564 m, with Zero Point above
Yumthang is a broad, flat valley floor where the Lachung river runs between grassy meadows and fir forest, with snow peaks on both sides. Yak herders bring their animals up in summer. From mid-April to late May the slopes and the road from Lachung turn red, pink, white and yellow with rhododendrons, and primulas and other alpine flowers follow on the meadows.
The valley lies within the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, set up to protect the many species of rhododendron that grow here. There is no village and no overnight stay for tourists. Everyone comes on a day trip from Lachung, leaving at dawn, spending an hour or two on the meadows and returning for lunch.
Beyond Yumthang the road climbs another 23 km to Yumesamdong, known to everyone as Zero Point, where the tourist road ends at about 4,700 m. Indian travellers can go there for an extra vehicle charge. Foreign nationals with a Protected Area Permit may visit Yumthang but not Zero Point.
Highlights
What Yumthang Valley does best
From mid-April to late May the Shingba sanctuary flowers in shades of red, pink, white and yellow.
Yumesamdong at about 4,700 m has snow for much of the year and is the furthest point tourists may reach.
A sulphur spring by the Lachung river, with a simple bathing shed used by locals and visitors.
In summer and autumn herders graze yaks on the valley floor, a common sight from the road.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Yumthang Valley
Every visit is by the registered vehicle that brought you to Lachung. The Yumthang trip is part of all Lachung packages; Zero Point is an extra ₹3,000–4,500 per vehicle.
On a shared group tour, the Yumthang drive is included and the jeep is shared with other guests. If some want Zero Point and others do not, the group splits the extra charge or the operator arranges a switch.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra, about 10–12 hours away by road via Gangtok and Lachung, so allow at least two days to get here.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
There are no tourist stays at Yumthang. Sleep in Lachung, 24 km south, where homestays cost about ₹1,500–2,500 a room with meals and hotels ₹3,000–9,000. Staying in Lachung also helps your body adjust before the climb to 3,564 m and higher.
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
- Leave Lachung by 6 am; the valley is clearest and calmest early.
- Do not pick flowers or step on the rhododendrons; this is a protected sanctuary.
- At Zero Point stay 30–45 minutes at most and walk slowly; the air is thin.
- Carry dry socks and gloves; snow soaks through ordinary shoes in minutes.
- Use the toilets in Lachung or at Yumthang's stalls before going higher; there is little at Zero Point.
The local story
When Hooker came for the rhododendrons
In 1849 the British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker travelled up the Lachen and Lachung valleys collecting plants. He was working for Kew Gardens, and rhododendrons were his main interest. Many of the species he found in these valleys were new to Western science.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Yumthang Valley
What is the best month to visit Yumthang Valley?
Mid-April to late May for rhododendrons and alpine flowers, and October to November for clear skies. December to March brings snow to the valley in many years but the road can close after heavy falls. June to September is monsoon, with frequent landslides on the way. Check current status before you travel.
How far is Yumthang from Lachung?
Yumthang is about 24 km north of Lachung, a drive of 1–1.5 hours on a mountain road. Zero Point is another 23 km beyond, about 1–1.5 hours more. A full trip to both and back takes 6–7 hours, so leave Lachung by 6 am.
Can I stay overnight in Yumthang?
No. There are no tourist rooms in the valley, and overnight stays are not allowed for visitors. All trips are day trips from Lachung, where you sleep before and after. A few tea stalls in the valley serve snacks and noodles in the tourist season.
What is Zero Point and can everyone go?
Zero Point, or Yumesamdong, is the end of the civilian road at about 4,700 m, 23 km beyond Yumthang. Indian travellers can go with an extra vehicle charge of about ₹3,000–4,500. Foreign nationals cannot go beyond Yumthang. Snow usually lies there from November to April. Check current status before you travel.
Is there snow at Yumthang in May?
Usually not on the valley floor, which is green and in flower by May. You will normally find snow at Zero Point in May, sometimes patchy. For snow at Yumthang itself, come between December and March, though heavy snow can block the road.
Is the Yumthang hot spring worth a stop?
It is a simple sulphur spring by the river with a small shed and pool, used for bathing by locals who believe it eases aches. It is not a spa. If you want to bathe, bring a towel and go on the return trip when you are warm, and avoid soaking long at altitude.
Will I get altitude sickness at Yumthang or Zero Point?
Most healthy people manage Yumthang at 3,564 m after a night in Lachung. Zero Point at about 4,700 m is a bigger step, so walk slowly, limit your stay to 30–45 minutes and come down if you feel a pounding headache, nausea or dizziness. Ask your doctor first if you have heart or lung problems.
Can foreigners visit Yumthang Valley?
Yes. Foreign nationals with a Protected Area Permit for North Sikkim, arranged by a registered agent in Gangtok in a group of at least two, can visit Lachung and Yumthang. They cannot continue to Zero Point. Check current status before you travel.
What should I wear to Yumthang?
Layers: thermals, a fleece, a warm windproof jacket, a cap and gloves, with sunglasses and sunscreen for the glare. Waterproof boots help in snow; you can hire gumboots in Lachung. Even in May the morning wind is cold, and at Zero Point it can be well below freezing.
Nearby
Pair it with
A wooden mountain village at the gate to Yumthang and Zero Point
The quiet overnight stop below Thangu and Gurudongmar
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