The valley base
Lachung
A Bhutia village of wooden houses in a deep valley, the night stop for Yumthang and Zero Point.
Best for: First night up northRead the guide
North Sikkim tour packages
Lachung, Yumthang and a lake at 17,800 ft
Two nights in the high valleys: rhododendrons or snow at Yumthang, the road's end at Zero Point, and Gurudongmar at dawn. A Sikkim SUV and driver, the permit filed for you, and a spare day when the mountain says no.
- Curated journeys
- 3
- Places to pair
- 5
- From, per adult
- ₹19,999
- Planner on WhatsApp
- 24×7
Why travel with Breeziah
North Sikkim runs on permits issued day by day and roads that close after a bad night of rain. We file the permit, watch the road, and move the trip a day rather than lose it.
Permits arranged
Tsomgo, Nathu La, North Sikkim and the Silk Route permits filed for every traveller before you arrive.
Local Sikkim driver
A private Innova or Xylo driven by someone who knows the mountain roads, with daylight driving only.
One planner
Road closed after rain? We re-plan the day on WhatsApp, not after you've driven three hours.
North Sikkim
Prayer flags on the road to Yumthang
Where you'll go
The North Sikkim circuit
Two valleys split at Chungthang: Lachung and Yumthang to the east, Lachen and Gurudongmar to the west. Most trips do one or both.
The valley of flowers
Yumthang Valley
Rhododendron meadows along the Lachung river in spring, a snowfield in winter, hot springs by the road.
Best for: Spring blooms, snowRead the guide
Where the road ends
Zero Point
Yume Samdong at about 15,300 ft, snow on the ground most of the year, reached past Yumthang when the road allows.
Best for: Snow, photographs
The sacred high lake
Gurudongmar Lake
One of the world's highest lakes at about 17,800 ft, turquoise under bare peaks, reached at dawn from Lachen.
Best for: Adventurers, photographersRead the guide
On the way north
Seven Sisters Falls
A tall roadside waterfall on the North Sikkim Highway, at its fullest after the monsoon.
Best for: A stretch on the drive
Curated journeys
North Sikkim journeys we run
Private, on your dates, from Gangtok, Bagdogra or NJP. Prices per adult on twin sharing, North Sikkim permit included.
6D/5NSignature journey
Starts in Siliguri · Ends in Siliguri
Gangtok Lachung Yumthang Tour Package
- Gangtok city stay with leisure time at MG Marg
- Scenic drive from Gangtok to Lachung (North Sikkim)
From, per adult₹19,999
View journey
11D/10N
Starts in Siliguri · Ends in Siliguri
Grand Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour – 11 Days: Gangtok, Gurudongmar, Pelling & Darjeeling
- All of Sikkim and Darjeeling in one trip, with permits arranged
From, per adult₹34,999
View journey
7D/6N
Starts in Siliguri · Ends in Siliguri
North Sikkim Tour: Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake & Lachung – 7 Days
- Gurudongmar Lake at 17,800 ft, reopened to visitors in 2026
From, per adult₹24,999
View journeySample routes
North Sikkim itineraries, day by day
Pick a trip length to see the route, the drive times and where you sleep each night. Every route can be changed around your dates.
Lachung and Yumthang
The classic short trip: two nights in Lachung, Yumthang and Zero Point on the middle day.
North along the Teesta past Kabi Lungchok and Seven Sisters Falls to Lachung.
Yumthang at first light, Zero Point when the road is open, back to Lachung for the night.
Back down the valley to Gangtok by afternoon.
A starting point, not a fixed product — we rebuild this around your dates, pace and stay category. Drive times are approximate and depend on road and weather conditions.
Gurudongmar and Yumthang
Both valleys: Lachen and Gurudongmar first, then across to Lachung for Yumthang.
North to Chungthang, then up the Lachen valley.
A 4am start for the lake, a short visit at altitude, then down and across to Lachung.
The valley of flowers, and the snowfields above it when open.
Back to Gangtok.
A starting point, not a fixed product — we rebuild this around your dates, pace and stay category. Drive times are approximate and depend on road and weather conditions.
Signature moments
The North Sikkim moments
Timed for the permit, the road and the light.
Gurudongmar, North Sikkim
A lake at 17,800 feet
A pre-dawn drive from Lachen to one of the world's highest lakes, sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs, turquoise under bare peaks.
Above Yumthang
Snow at Zero Point
Where the road ends at 15,300 ft, with snow on the ground for most of the year.
April – May
Yumthang in bloom
Two dozen kinds of rhododendron flower along the Lachung river in spring.
Where you'll stay
Hotels that suit the mountain, not just the brochure
Every itinerary names the hotel for each night. Gangtok and Pelling have real choice; North Sikkim is simpler, and we tell you so.
Good 3-star hotels
Comfort
- Central Gangtok hotels a short walk from MG Marg
- Kanchenjunga-facing rooms in Pelling
- The best available lodges in Lachung and Lachen
Our standard for most Sikkim trips
Resorts with the view
Premium
- Spa resorts and heritage hotels in Gangtok
- Mountain-view suites in Pelling
- Upgraded rooms in North Sikkim where they exist
Mayfair Spa Resort and The Elgin Nor-Khill in Gangtok, The Elgin Mount Pandim in Pelling
Homestays on the high roads
Village
- Family homestays in Zuluk, Nathang and Lachung
- Home-cooked Sikkimese food by the stove
- Simple rooms, big views, real hospitality
Paired with a hotel night on either side
Honest note: hotels in Lachung and Lachen are basic at any budget, with heaters but no luxury. Gangtok and Pelling are where the premium stays are.
What it costs
What a North Sikkim trip costs
Per person for two sharing, private vehicle, peak season, excluding flights.
| Trip length | Standard | Deluxe | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 days | ₹16,300 – ₹25,000 | ₹18,900 – ₹28,700 | ₹28,000 – ₹45,400 |
| 5 days | ₹20,700 – ₹31,500 | ₹24,100 – ₹36,400 | ₹36,000 – ₹58,300 |
| 6 days | ₹25,000 – ₹38,000 | ₹29,200 – ₹44,000 | ₹43,900 – ₹71,100 |
| 7 days | ₹29,200 – ₹44,500 | ₹34,300 – ₹51,700 | ₹51,900 – ₹84,000 |
| 10 days | ₹42,200 – ₹64,000 | ₹49,600 – ₹74,600 | ₹75,700 – ₹1,22,600 |
How it works
From first message to last drop
- 1
Tell us how you like to travel
Dates, who's coming, and how high you want to go. We'll tell you honestly whether Gurudongmar or Nathu La suits your group.
- 2
Send ID, we arrange the permits
A day-by-day plan with named hotels and real drive times, then permits for Tsomgo, Nathu La and North Sikkim filed before you arrive.
- 3
Travel with a Sikkim driver
A private SUV from Bagdogra or NJP and back, daylight driving, and our team on WhatsApp if the mountain changes the plan.
When to go
The North Sikkim year
March – May
BestRhododendrons in Yumthang from April, snow still at Zero Point, and the roads at their most reliable. Book early.
October – November
BestClear skies and open high lakes. Cold nights in Lachung and Lachen.
December – February
MixedSnow in Yumthang and Lachung. Zero Point and Gurudongmar can close after heavy snowfall, so keep a spare day in Gangtok.
June – September
AvoidMonsoon landslides close the North Sikkim Highway, and permits are often suspended.
Honest drive times
Gangtok → Lachung
118 km · 5–6 hrs
Lachung → Yumthang
24 km · 1–1.5 hrs
Yumthang → Zero Point
23 km · 1–1.5 hrs
Gangtok → Lachen
120 km · 6–7 hrs
Lachen → Gurudongmar Lake
65 km · 3 hrs
Before you go
Permits, getting there and what to know
Permits for the high places
Indian travellers don't need a permit to enter Sikkim, but Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, North Sikkim (Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang, Gurudongmar) and the Old Silk Route each need a protected-area permit. We file them through a registered agent with a photo ID and two passport photos per person. Nathu La opens to Indian visitors only, on Wednesday to Sunday. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim and cannot visit Nathu La or Gurudongmar.
Getting there
- By air
- Fly into Bagdogra (IXB), the nearest well-connected airport, with direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Gangtok is 4–5 hours by road. Pakyong airport near Gangtok has very few flights.
- By train
- New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest major station, about 4–5 hours from Gangtok. Overnight trains run from Kolkata, and direct trains from Delhi and Guwahati.
- From Darjeeling
- Gangtok is about 4 hours from Darjeeling, so the two pair naturally into one trip. See our Darjeeling tour packages.
Know before you go
- Gurudongmar and Nathu La are above 14,000 ft. Not advised for infants, or for anyone with heart or breathing conditions; spend a night in Gangtok before going high.
- North Sikkim roads close after landslides. We confirm the road and permit status the day before and keep a back-up plan.
- Carry original photo ID and two passport photos per person; permits are checked at several posts.
- Sikkim is strict about plastic. Carry a refillable bottle; packaged water is restricted in some areas.
- Mobile signal is weak beyond Gangtok. Only BSNL and Airtel work reliably in North Sikkim.
- Nights are cold at Lachung and Lachen all year. Pack a down jacket even in May.
Questions
North Sikkim travel questions
Anything else, ask us on WhatsApp. A person answers, usually within minutes.
How many days do I need for North Sikkim?
Three days from Gangtok for Lachung, Yumthang and Zero Point. Four days to add Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake. Add a day in Gangtok before going up, for acclimatisation and in case the road closes.
Is North Sikkim open now?
Permits are issued day by day and stop when landslides or heavy snow close the road. We check with the permit office before you leave Gangtok. See our guide on whether North Sikkim is open now.
Do I need a permit for North Sikkim?
Yes. Every traveller needs the North Sikkim permit, filed by a registered Sikkim operator the day before with photo ID and two passport photos. Foreign nationals also need the Sikkim Restricted Area Permit and cannot visit Gurudongmar.
Can we take our own car or a Siliguri taxi to North Sikkim?
No. Only Sikkim-registered tourist vehicles listed on the permit can go. We book a Sikkim SUV for the North Sikkim days and time the handover in Gangtok.
Is Gurudongmar Lake safe for children and older travellers?
Gurudongmar is at about 17,800 ft and the visit is kept short. We don't recommend it for infants or anyone with heart or breathing conditions. Yumthang and Zero Point give snow at a lower altitude.
What's included in a North Sikkim package?
A Sikkim-registered SUV with driver, the North Sikkim permit, hotels in Lachung or Lachen with dinner and breakfast, and fuel and driver allowances. Entry tickets and personal expenses are extra.
Your trip, planned around you
Send us your dates. We'll file the permit and watch the road.
A day-by-day plan with named hotels, honest drive times and an itemised price, usually the same day.
Photo credits
Photo: Ujwala Bhat / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 · Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Abhishek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Tarunsamanta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Joydeep / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Yoghya (edit by UnpetitproleX) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Anjan Kumar Kundu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Wikimedia Commons images are used under their Creative Commons licences; see each file on commons.wikimedia.org.
North Sikkim attractions
Yumthang Valley
Yumthang, the 'valley of flowers', is a meadow at about 11,800 ft above Lachung, full of rhododendrons in spring and snow in winter, with Zero Point higher up.
Zero Point (Yumesamdong)
Zero Point, or Yumesamdong, is where the civilian road ends at about 15,300 ft above Lachung. It holds snow when Yumthang has none. Here is the permit, cost, timing and how to fit it in.
Nathu La Pass
Nathu La is the India–China border pass at about 14,140 ft, a day trip from Gangtok with Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. It's open to Indian nationals only, on a permit filed the day before.
Tsomgo (Changu) Lake
Tsomgo Lake, also called Changu Lake, is a glacial lake at about 12,300 ft, 38 km from Gangtok. It's the easiest place near Gangtok to see snow, on a permit filed the day before.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
The shrine to 'Baba' Harbhajan Singh, a Punjab Regiment soldier who died near Nathu La in 1968, sits at about 13,100 ft on the Tsomgo–Nathu La road. Here is the story, the permit and how to fit it into a Gangtok day trip.
Gurudongmar Lake
Gurudongmar is one of the world's highest lakes, at about 17,800 ft in North Sikkim, sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs. It's reached at dawn from Lachen, by Indian nationals only.