- Where
- Above Lachung village, North Sikkim
- Altitude
- About 2,700 m
- Distance
- About 2 km from Lachung village; about 120 km from Gangtok
- Timings
- Roughly daylight hours; prayer times vary
- Entry fee
- Free; donations welcome
- Permit
- North Sikkim permit needed, arranged by a registered operator
- Best time
- March–June and October–December
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
Lachung Monastery belongs to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and serves the village of Lachung, the overnight stop for trips to Yumthang Valley and Zero Point. It is a quiet, compact gompa with painted walls and prayer wheels, set on the slope across the river from the main village.
Visiting
Most North Sikkim trips reach Lachung in the late afternoon and leave for Yumthang at dawn, so the monastery fits best into the arrival evening if light allows. Dress modestly, walk clockwise around the prayer wheels and ask before photographing inside.
How to reach
Lachung is about 120 km from Gangtok, 6–7 hours by road via Mangan and Chungthang. Visitors need a North Sikkim permit, which tour operators arrange in Gangtok.
Lachung Monastery: questions travellers ask
Is there an entry fee at Lachung Monastery?
No. Entry is free; donations are welcome.
Do I need a permit to visit Lachung?
Yes. Lachung is in a protected area of North Sikkim, and permits are arranged through a registered tour operator.
How far is Lachung Monastery from the village?
About 2 km, a short drive or a steep walk.
When is the best time to visit Lachung?
March to June for flowers and October to December for clear skies. Winter brings snow and very cold nights.
Sources
Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
