Gangtok to Lachen
Your options
Ways to make the trip
6–8 hours
₹6,500–9,000 per person with Gurudongmar, stay and meals · Shared group tours from Gangtok cover Lachen and Gurudongmar on two nights, or combine Lachen and Lachung on three. Permits, rooms and meals are included.
6–7 hours
₹16,000–22,000 per vehicle for 2 nights · A private SUV with a registered driver. The fare includes the Gurudongmar run. A 3-night Lachen and Lachung circuit costs about ₹22,000–28,000 per vehicle.
Worth a stop
- Phodong Monastery
- Mangan
- Chungthang
- Lachen river gorge
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is the road to Lachen open?
It has reopened in stages since the October 2023 Teesta flood, which badly damaged the route near Chungthang, but closures after landslides remain common, especially in the monsoon. Ask your operator a week before and again the day before. Check current status before you travel.
Can I go to Lachen and Lachung on one trip?
Usually yes, on a 3-night circuit: Lachen and Gurudongmar first, then Lachung and Yumthang, linked through Chungthang. If that link is damaged, the operator may run the two valleys as separate trips from Gangtok, which takes longer. Confirm the plan in writing, including what happens if the link closes during your trip.
How much does a Lachen trip cost?
Indicatively, a shared group tour with Gurudongmar costs about ₹6,500–9,000 per person, and a reserved SUV about ₹16,000–22,000 per vehicle for two nights, before hotel upgrades. Prices rise in April, May and October. A 3-night circuit adding Lachung costs more. Ask what is included, especially meals and heaters.
Can foreigners travel to Lachen?
Yes, with a Protected Area Permit through a registered agent, in a group of two or more. They may stay in Lachen but cannot go on to Gurudongmar Lake. Check current status before you travel. Most foreign travellers find the Lachung and Yumthang trip more rewarding for that reason.