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Lachung is a picturesque village located in the Indian state of Sikkim, which is located at a height of at an altitude of about 9,600 ft or 2,900 m. This peaceful and exquisitely beautiful hill town is surrounded by snow-capped mountains all around, where there are sparkling waterfalls plunging down the rocky towering Himalayan slopes that are covered with lush green alpine meadows and dense forests that exudes earthy fragrance and casts a shady spell. Lachung offers pristine natural beauty that is found in very few mountain destinations in today’s world of commercialization. Here are some places you should consider visiting in Lachung:
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The Yumthang Valley or Sikkim Valley of Flowers is a divinely beautiful landscape that comes alive with gurgling river, fuming hot springs, gentle yaks and peaceful grazing pasture on the face of undulating meadows surrounded by the towering Himalayan mountains of North Sikkim. Yumthang is located at an elevation of 3,564 metres or 11,693 ft above sea level at a distance of 150 kilometres from Gangtok, the state capital of Sikkim. This mystical Valley of Flowers is home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. Visit the sanctuary during the flowering season from late February and to mid-June to watch more than twenty-four species of rhododendrons, along with seasonal flowers such as primulas, poppies and iris gazing at you and mesmerising you. The charming Rhododendron is the state flower of Sikkim on account of its surreal beauty. Millions of variegated flowers both exotic and indigenous bloom in splendour to colour the valley in thousands of shades. A mountain spring which is a tributary of River Teesta flows past the valley and the hot springs around the valley add to it magic. Yumthang gets cut off from the months of December to March due to heavy snowfall.
Also Read: Things to do in Lachung & Best time to visit Lachung
| Location: | Located in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India |
| How to Reach: | The town of Lachung is well connected by road and is about 113 km from Gangtok. It is about 26 km from Lachung. |
| Timings: | But the time between 6.00 am to 5.00 pm is the best time to visit Yumthang Valley. |
| Best time to go | There is no fee for entry for wandering around in Yumthang Valley. |
Also Read: Places to visit in Sikkim & Things to do in Sikkim
Located beyond Yumthang Valley, Zero Point offers a surreal experience with its panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and a vast expanse of untouched natural beauty. It is also known as Yumesamdong and is the last outpost of civilization before the Tibet border. It is situated at an altitude of approximately 15,300 feet or 4,700 m and is known for its scenic views of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks all around. The majestic views of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, attracts a lot of tourists and travellers to this place. Enjoy the snow-washed, rocky terrain and a tranquil atmosphere. The name of the place is Zero Point since it is the point where the civilian road ends, and no common man can go any further due to the area being protected as it is merely 20 to 25 km away from the international border of China. Zero Point can be reached by travelling from Lachung through the Yumthang Valley, which is again famous for its alpine flowers. The journey in itself shall be a memorable experience, with winding roads cutting through picturesque valleys dotted with waterfalls and snow-topped peaks.
Also Read: Best Time to Visit Sikkim & How to Reach Sikkim
| Location: | Located in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India |
| How to Reach: | Zero Point is about 25 km away from Yumthang Valley and can be reached in about 1.5 hours. Yumthang Valley is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours of journey by road from Lachung. |
| Timings: | But the time between 6.00 am to 5.00 pm is the best time to visit Yumthang Valley. |
| Entry Fee: | There was no specific entry fee charged for visiting Zero Point Yumthang. |
| Special Permit | Visitors require a valid Inner Line Permit (ILP) issued by the Sikkim government to enter the restricted areas of North Sikkim, such as Zero Point. |
| Best time to visit | The winter months from December to February are the best time to visit Lachung Zero Point when the whole area looks magnificent covered by a blanket of snow. |
Lachung Monastery, also known as Lachung Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery located in the village of Lachung. This Gompa is an important spiritual and cultural centre. It is located on a hilltop and offers magnificent views of the hills and valleys all around. The prayers halls contain ancient Buddhist scriptures, murals and statues that depict Buddhist deities and symbols, including a well-preserved precious collection of ancient Buddhist scriptures, thangka paintings and other artifacts. The monastery serves as a serene and peaceful place of worship as well as a reverential seat of culture and education for the locals.
| Location: | Located in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India. Address is Faka, Singring, Lachung, Sikkim 737120. |
| How to Reach: | Lachung is around 102 km from Gangtok and takes about 4 hours to get there. It takes a short 30-minute walk uphill from the centre of the settlement. Distance from Lachung Bus Stand is approximately 20 km. |
| Timings: | Visiting time of Lachung Gompa: Timings are 7.00 am to 7.00 pm everyday. |
| Entry Fee: | There was no specific entry fee charged for visiting Lachung Monastery. |
| Best time to visit | The summer months from March to May are the best time to visit Lachung and thus Lachung Gompa. |
The Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a precious attraction of North Sikkim that lures many travellers and tourists to watch the riot of colour burst of the freshly blooming rhododendrons on the pristine and secluded Himalayan slopes. Nature lovers, photographers and general tourists who crave to be close to nature away from the bustle of civilization would find this place a haven of tranquillity and peace. It is located close to the Yumthang Valley and is home to more than 40 species of rhododendrons. The sanctuary is best visited during the spring time when the slopes come alive during the months of April and May with a blush of stunning hues, painting the rugged rock surfaces with colours of red, pink, white and purple. The Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is spread over an awesome 43 sq. km area and brilliantly sports the majestic Rhododendron niveum, also known as the blood-red rhododendron, accepted as the state flower of Sikkim. The surrounding dense forests, gushing streams, panoramic views, alpine and subalpine flora and fauna, the varied colourful species of birds, butterflies and small animals create an intricate web of a fanciful dreamland that is a must visit for Sikkim travellers.
| Location: | Located in the Yumthang Valley of Flowers north of Lachung in the North Sikkim district. |
| How to Reach: | Yumthang valley is around 25 kms from Lachung located at an altitude of 11,800ft and takes 1 hour 20 minutes by road. Perfect way to explore this place is by trekking from the Yumthang Valley which is approximately another 8 km. |
| Timings: | Preferred visiting time is 8.00 am to 12.00 pm. |
| Entry Fee: | The entry per adult varies according to group size. Negotiation and rates obtained from various travel agents might help. |
| Best time to visit | The best time to visit this sanctuary is from late February to June, in the spring and summer months before rainfall starts. |
Naga Waterfall is a picturesque cascading waterfall located on the way to Lachung. The waterfall is surrounded by a lush green cover of trees and the beauty of the waterfall easily evokes awe and splendour. It is a must-visit place for Sikkim travellers venturing to Lachung if they are nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. Swim or bathe in the natural sparkling fresh clean waters of the waterfall in case the intensity doesn’t intimidate you. During the monsoon, the waterfall really gets swollen and forceful.
| Location: | Located in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India – Mangan, Sikkim 737116 |
| How to Reach: | Located at a distance of 34 km from Lachung and 82 km from Gangtok, just 4 km ahead of Menchu, a small village. It is around 21 km from Bhim Nala Falls along the Gangtok-Chungthang Road. |
| Timings: | Visiting time of Naga Waterfall: Timings are 9.00 am to 6.00 pm every day. |
| Entry Fee: | There was no specific entry fee charged for visiting Naga Waterfall. |
| Best time to visit | The months from October to June are the best time to visit the Naga Waterfall. |
Bhim Nala Falls is another stunning waterfall in Lachung and is popular for its natural beauty and tranquillity. The waterfall is named after Bhim, the strongest of all famous Pancha Pandava brothers from the great Indian epic Mahabharata.
| Location: | Located in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India in the peaceful village of Khedum, along the Gangtok-Chungthang Road, via Singtam. |
| How to Reach: | Located at a distance of 13 km from Lachung. It is around 21 km from Naga Falls. |
| Timings: | No specific visiting time of Bhim Nala Falls. |
| Entry Fee: | There was no specific entry fee charged for visiting Bhim Nala Falls. |
| Best time to visit | The months from October to June are the best time to visit the Bhim Nala Falls. |
Lachung Chu is a picturesque river that flows through the village. It adds to the serenity of the sleepy town and is a perfect spot for a quiet stroll along its banks. The tinkling sound of the mountain river is music to ears and the surrounding landscapes add to the spell-binding beauty of Lachung. The earthy smell of the banks and the fresh breeze of the mountains are quite rejuvenating.
| Location: | Located in the Lachung District of the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India. |
| How to Reach: | Located in Lachung. Take a walk from Lachung or you can hire a car. The confluence of rivers Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu in the small town of Chungthang, in Lachung District, about 95 km from Gangtok is a mesmerising site. |
| Timings: | No specific visiting time of visit. The best time of the day to enjoy Lachung Chu riverside is 10.00 am to 4.00 pm every day. |
| Entry Fee: | There was no specific entry fee charged for visiting Lachung Chu. |
| Best time to visit | The months from March to May are the best time to visit Lachung and wander along the riverside. |
Katao is the place for watching snow and enjoying snow activities. It is a recommended place for visiting while on your Sikkim trip. This picturesque snow point near Lachung offers magnificent views of the snow-covered hills that are so enigmatic that it will undoubtedly prove to be an unforgettable experience. Katao is also very attractive for adventure activities in Sikkim like snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing and stone grinding. It is thus a paradise for adventure sport lovers. The rugged landscape of Katao makes it perfect for being the base ground for such activities.
| Location: | Mt. Katao is located in the northern part of Sikkim, almost 144 km from the capital, Gangtok, and 28 kms from Lachung. |
| How to Reach: | Located at a distance of 28 km from Lachung, it can be reached via taxi from Lachung. Hired taxi from Gangtok is also an option. |
| Timings: | Most preferred visiting time of the day would be from 08:00 am to 01:00 pm to visit Katao. |
| Entry Fee: | There was no specific entry fee charged for visiting Katao. |
| Best time to visit | The months from March to June are the best time to visit Mt. Katao in order to enjoy the winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. |
Yumthang Valley is located at a height of 3,564 m or 11,693 ft and is at a distance of 150 km from the state capital Gangtok. It is popularly called ‘Valley of Flowers’ and is home to the very famous and spectacular Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, where you can see more than twenty-four species of rhododendron, the state flower of Sikkim.
It is recommended that you book in advance to travel to Yumthang Valley. It gives you a better option to compare rates and negotiate more. Also, there are zero cancellation offers available, which make it easier to plan ahead.
Yumthang Valley is located in the North Sikkim district at an altitude of about 3500 m. It is at a distance of about 140 km from Gangtok, the beautiful capital town of Sikkim.
Yumthang is closed in the peak of winters, between the cold months of December, January and mid of February due to the roads getting snow-clogged. The best time to visit Yumthang Valley is between late February and mid-June as it is the flowering season, and the valley looks gorgeous and at its best.
No they are not the same, but they are located a short distance away from each other. It takes tourists about 1.5 hours to reach Zero Point from Yumthang Valley, which is 25 km away. The travel time would be about 3 to 3.5 hours from Lachung.
The months ranging from Late-February to June are a good time to visit the Yumthang Valley as the flowers are in full bloom, creating a spectacular aura.
Yes, Zero Point is open to tourists and can be visited. Since the spot is located close to the international border between India and China, a special permit is required to visit Zero Point. The permits can be easily obtained from the Gangtok Tourism Office, District Administrative Centre at Mangan, or at Chungthang Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Office. You can contact your travel or tour operator for the same.
Zero Point lies in a protected area as it is very close to the international border between India and China, valid permits are required to visit Zero Point. They can be obtained from the tourism office in Gangtok or District Administrative Centre at Mangan, or at the Chungthang Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Office. It is cold, hence adequate warm clothing is necessary.
Zero Point and Katao both are snow covered and offer spectacular sites of towering snow-capped mountains. Zero Point is more likely to receive snowfall compared to Katao for those who want to experience snowfall.
Katao can be called ‘The Switzerland of Sikkim’. The actual mini-Switzerland of India is Khajjiar in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India.
Yes, Katao is a primary and spectacular attraction of Sikkim tourism. The best time to visit Mount Katao is from the months of March to June. But to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, the winter months of December to February are ideal for visiting Katao.
Katao is situated at an elevation of 15000 ft at a distance of 24 km from Lachung which is at a height of 8000 ft. Katao is known for enjoying snow and winter sports.
Zero Point or Yumesamdong is about 23 kms from Yumthang, located at an altitude of 15,300 ft. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Zero Point from Yumthang Valley by road/taxi, which is about 3 to 3.5 hours from Lachung.
Yumthang is not known for much snowfall, but it offers mesmerizing sights of snow-covered landscape during the winter season and a picture-perfect flowery paradise in the spring and summer seasons. Yumthang valley is a dream destination and among the best places in Sikkim which is a must visit in case you are visiting North Sikkim.
A Lachung trip is best covered in at least two days taking into consideration your journey from Gangtok to Lachung and back. One day for Gangtok-Lachung journey and exploring a bit of the attractions on the way. After an overnight stay, you need at least one whole day to cover all the attractions in and around Lachung and the next day you can return to Gangtok by evening.
What is the food in Yumthang Valley?
The traditional cuisine of the region is mostly rice, fish and dal. In the delicacy criterion there is momos, which is a favourite option among visitors.
Lachung is always a better option than Pelling if natural beauty is considered. Pelling attracts a huge crowd for its impeccable greenery and unforgettable views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Lachung on the other hand is mesmerising with its five different looks in five seasons.
The main tourist attractions of Sikkim without which your Sikkim tour shall be incomplete are Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Kanchenjunga Base Camp, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Pelling, Zuluk and Teesta River.
Several places in North Sikkim are protected and permits are necessary to visit those places. The permits can be easily obtained from the Gangtok Tourism Office, District Administrative Centre at Mangan, or at Chungthang Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Office. You can contact your travel or tour operator for the same.
The Phamrong Falls located close to Pelling, between Yuksam and Gerethang, is the highest waterfall of Sikkim. It is one of the best places to visit in Pelling. Set in the middle of lush greenery, this waterfall tumbles down from the towering and magnificent Kanchenjunga Ranges.
Some of the most visited and most picturesque waterfalls in and around Gangtok can be spotted as Banjhakri Water Falls, Seven Sisters Waterfalls and Bakthang Waterfalls. These are ideal places for photoshoots and to enjoy nature at its best.
The extremely picturesque Yumthang Valley is situated at an astounding height of 3564 m in the North Sikkim district. This is one of the most famous tourist destinations of Sikkim travel. It is also called the ‘valley of flowers’ because of spectacular booming of the thousands of varieties of fresh flowers, rhododendrons, all across the valley.
Zero Point and Nathula are two completely different tourist destinations each having its own unique attractions and characteristics. Zero Point is in North Sikkim and offers stunning views and natural beauty, while Nathula Pass is a mountain pass in East Sikkim with historical significance and offers a view of the border area.
Zero Point in Sikkim is also known as Yumesamdong and is located close to the India-China border. Zero Point, in a straight-line air distance, till the Indo-China border is approximately 20 to 25 km.
A beautiful, cascading Yumthang River, a tributary of the mighty Teesta River, flows along the side of Yumthang Valley. It adds beauty and charm to the valley and is a favourite spot among tourists and locals.
The place has an interesting name ‘Zero Point’ because this point is the end of a civilian road and civilians are not allowed to proceed further up from this point. The zero point is thrillingly close to the international border of India and China.
The railhead of New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal is the closest railway station to Yumthang.
Zero point which is located at a height of 15,700 plus feet is one of the coldest places to visit in Sikkim.
Lachung offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains, including Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. The visibility of Kanchenjunga depends on weather conditions, cloud cover, and the time of the year. The best time to catch clear views is usually during the winter months when the skies are clearer during the early mornings before clouds start to gather.
