Is North Sikkim Open Now? Lachung, Yumthang, Lachen and Gurudongmar in Winter (2026-27)
North Sikkim opens and shuts with the weather. Here is how Lachung, Yumthang, Lachen and Gurudongmar behave through winter, and how to check before you book.
North Sikkim doesn't have an opening season the way a hill station does. Permits for the north are issued day by day, and they stop when snow, a landslide or a washed-out bridge closes the road. So the honest answer to "is North Sikkim open now?" is: usually, but check the week you travel.
This guide explains how each part of the north behaves through the year, what closes first in winter, and how to check before you book.
The short answer, place by place
| Place | Altitude | October–November | December–February | March–May |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lachung | about 2,700 m | Open, clear | Usually open, cold, snow in the village some years | Open |
| Yumthang Valley | about 3,600 m | Open | Open on most days, often under snow | Open, rhododendrons from April |
| Zero Point | about 4,700 m | Open on clear days | Often unreachable after snowfall | Opens as snow clears |
| Lachen | about 2,750 m | Depends on the road from Chungthang | Depends on the road and snow | Depends on the road |
| Gurudongmar Lake | about 5,430 m | Open when permits run | Often closed after heavy snow | Opens late spring |
How winter closes the north
Three things shut the road, and they don't all happen in winter:
- Snow. From December the high points, Zero Point and Gurudongmar, close after heavy snowfall, sometimes for a few days and sometimes for weeks. Lachung and Yumthang usually stay reachable, because the road to them is lower.
- Landslides. These are a monsoon problem, from June to September, but a single slide can close the North Sikkim Highway in any month.
- Permit suspensions. When the district administration judges the road unsafe, it stops issuing permits for the north. No permit means no trip, whatever the weather looks like in Gangtok.
Which month to choose
- October and November: the best months for most people. The monsoon is over, skies are clear and the high lakes are open.
- December to February: the north is at its most beautiful, with snow at Yumthang, but plans are less certain. Book Lachung and Yumthang, and treat Zero Point and Gurudongmar as a bonus if the road allows.
- March to May: the snow melts back and the rhododendrons flower in Yumthang from April.
- June to September: the riskiest time. Slides close the road often.
For snow without the risk of a closed road, see where to see snow in Sikkim.
How to check before you go
- Ask your operator the evening before. Registered Gangtok operators know the same day whether permits for the north are being issued.
- Keep a spare day in Gangtok. If the north shuts the morning you are due to leave, a spare day lets you go a day later instead of losing the trip.
- Send your ID copies early. Permits are filed a day ahead with photo ID and two photos for each traveller. See our Sikkim permit guide.
Getting there
North Sikkim is reached only from Gangtok, in a Sikkim-registered vehicle listed on the permit. A car from Siliguri or Darjeeling can't go, whatever permits you hold. See our Gangtok to Lachung cab page for the drive, and can a Siliguri taxi go everywhere in Sikkim for why.
Gurudongmar and altitude
Gurudongmar Lake is at about 5,430 m, higher than Everest Base Camp. Spend a night at Lachen before going up, keep the visit short, and come down if anyone has a headache that doesn't ease, vomiting or confusion. Doctors advise against the trip for small children and anyone with heart or lung conditions. Gurudongmar is open to Indian nationals only.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lachung open in December?
Usually, yes. Lachung is lower than the high lakes and the road is kept open through most of winter, though heavy snow can close it for a few days. Yumthang is often under snow in December.
Can we see snow in Yumthang in winter?
From December to February, Yumthang is often under snow. Zero Point, higher up, has snow for more of the year but is the first place to close after a heavy fall.
Is Gurudongmar Lake open in January?
Often not. January is the month heavy snow is most likely to close the road to Gurudongmar. Plan it for October, November or late spring if it matters to you.
What happens if the north closes while we are in Gangtok?
We move the trip to the next day the permits run, or swap in Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La, which are on a different road. Keeping a spare day in Gangtok is the best insurance.
Can foreign nationals visit North Sikkim?
Lachung and Yumthang, yes, with a Restricted Area Permit and the North Sikkim permit, in a group of two or more. Gurudongmar is closed to foreign passports.
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