Gangtok to Lachung
Your options
Ways to make the trip
6–8 hours
₹5,000–7,500 per person for 2 nights with stay and meals · Gangtok operators sell seats on shared group tours that include permit, transport, rooms and meals. Jeeps usually leave Gangtok around 10–11 am after permits are collected, and return on day three.
6–7 hours
₹14,000–19,000 per vehicle for 2 nights · A private SUV such as a Scorpio, Bolero or Innova with a registered driver, booked through an operator. The fare covers the Yumthang trip; Zero Point is extra.
3 hours
₹200–300 a seat · Public shared jeeps run from Gangtok to Mangan, but tourists cannot continue to Lachung without an operator's permit and registered vehicle.
Worth a stop
- Seven Sisters waterfall
- Kabi Lungchok
- Naga falls near Mangan
- Bhim Nala falls before Lachung
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long is the drive from Gangtok to Lachung?
Usually 6–8 hours for about 120 km. Repairs after the October 2023 flood and monsoon landslides can add hours, with one-way traffic or waits at damaged sections near Chungthang. Leave by late morning to arrive before dark. Check current status before you travel.
Can I drive my own car to Lachung?
No. Tourists must travel in a vehicle registered for North Sikkim tourism, with a local driver, and with a permit arranged by a registered operator. Private cars from outside Sikkim are not allowed past the permit checkposts. Self-drive visitors usually park in Gangtok and take an operator's package from there.
Is a shared group tour a good idea?
For budget travellers, yes. It is the cheapest option and includes permit, transport, rooms and meals. You share the jeep with strangers and follow a fixed schedule. Families or groups of four or more often find a reserved car better value.
Where do North Sikkim tours leave from in Gangtok?
Operators pick you up from your hotel or meet at a central point in Gangtok. Public shared jeeps for Mangan leave from the north-bound taxi stand. Ask your operator for the exact pickup time and place the evening before. Keep your ID and day bag ready, as departures depend on permit collection.