Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake
Your options
Ways to make the trip
1.5–2 hours each way
₹700–1,200 a seat with permit for Tsomgo and Baba Mandir · Travel agents around MG Marg sell seats in pooled vehicles going to Tsomgo and Baba Mandir. You hand over photo ID and photos the day before, and the agent arranges the permit. Vehicles leave between 7 and 8 am. Nathu La seats cost more and need a day's notice.
1.5–2 hours each way
₹3,500–5,000 per car for Tsomgo and Baba Mandir; ₹5,500–7,500 with Nathu La · A reserved car through a registered agent covers the permit, driver and return. Fares rise in snow season and when chains are needed. Nathu La permits are only for Indian nationals and the pass is usually closed to tourists on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check current status before you travel.
Worth a stop
- Kyongnosla checkpost and the alpine sanctuary
- Army cafés at 15th Mile
- Tsomgo Lake shore
- Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Can I drive my own car to Tsomgo Lake?
Generally no. Tourist visits to Tsomgo and Nathu La are allowed only in vehicles registered for the route, with a permit arranged by a registered travel agent. Private cars from outside Sikkim are usually stopped. Rules are indicative and enforced at the Kyongnosla checkpost. Check current status before you travel.
How far is Nathu La from Tsomgo Lake?
Nathu La is about 18 km beyond Tsomgo Lake, roughly 56 km from Gangtok, and the drive from the lake takes about an hour. Most day trips visit the pass first, then Baba Mandir, then the lake on the way back. Only Indian nationals with a Nathu La permit can go beyond the lake towards the pass.
Can foreigners go to Tsomgo Lake?
Yes, foreign nationals can visit Tsomgo Lake on a day trip with a Protected Area Permit arranged through a registered agent, usually in a group of at least two. They cannot go to Nathu La. Carry your passport and Sikkim Inner Line Permit. Check current status before you travel.
How early should I leave Gangtok for Tsomgo?
Leave by 7–8 am. The road is quieter, the light on the lake is better, and weather at 3,700–4,300 m usually turns cloudy after midday. In winter, snow and ice make afternoon driving risky and the authorities can close the road early. Aim to be back in Gangtok by 3–4 pm.