9 Places to Visit in North Sikkim (2026): Tourist Spots, Timings & Entry Fees
North Sikkim is two valleys reached from Gangtok along the Teesta. The Lachung side has Yumthang, the valley of flowers, and Zero Point at the end of the road; the Lachen side climbs past Thangu and Chopta Valley to Gurudongmar Lake at over 5,000 m. Big waterfalls line the road up, and both villages have old Nyingma monasteries.
1.Yumthang Valley
North Sikkim, 24 km above Lachung
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.
- Timings
- Visited in the morning from Lachung
- Entry fee
- No separate fee; covered by the North Sikkim permit. Zero Point costs extra
- Distance
- About 24–26 km from Lachung, 1–1.5 hours
- Time needed
- Half a day from Lachung; a full day with Zero Point
- Best time
- Late March–May for rhododendrons, January–March for snow
2.Zero Point (Yumesamdong)
North Sikkim, 23 km above Yumthang
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.
- Timings
- Early morning start from Lachung; back by early afternoon
- Entry fee
- No entry fee; vehicle extra of about ₹2,500–3,500 over Yumthang (reported)
- Distance
- About 50 km from Lachung, 23 km beyond Yumthang
- Time needed
- Half a day from Lachung
- Best time
- March–June for snow and open roads
Zero Point (Yumesamdong): full guide, how to reach and tips →
3.Gurudongmar Lake
North Sikkim, above Lachen
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.
- Timings
- Early-morning visits only; vehicles leave Lachen around 4–5am
- Entry fee
- No separate fee; covered by the North Sikkim permit
- Distance
- About 65–70 km from Lachen, around 3 hours each way
- Time needed
- A full day from Lachen
- Best time
- April–June and October–November
4.Chopta Valley
Above Thangu, North Sikkim
Chopta Valley is a high meadow above Thangu in North Sikkim, at roughly 4,000 m, with a river that freezes in winter and flowers in summer. Visited on the Lachen–Gurudongmar route. Altitude, permits and best time.
- Timings
- Daylight; visits are usually early morning on the Gurudongmar day
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- A few kilometres beyond Thangu; about 30 km above Lachen
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- May–June for flowers; December–March for snow and the frozen river
5.Thangu Valley
Thangu, above Lachen, North Sikkim
Thangu is a high valley and small settlement at about 3,900 m above Lachen, the breakfast and acclimatisation stop on the way to Gurudongmar Lake. Rhododendrons in spring, snow in winter. Altitude, permits and tips.
- Timings
- Early morning on the Gurudongmar day
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- About 30 km from Lachen; about 35 km before Gurudongmar Lake
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Best time
- April–June for rhododendrons; October–December for clear skies
6.Lachung Monastery
Lachung, North Sikkim
Lachung Monastery is a small Nyingma gompa above Lachung village in North Sikkim, with views down the Lachung valley. Best visited on the evening you arrive or the morning before Yumthang. Timings, how to reach and permits.
- Timings
- Roughly daylight hours; prayer times vary
- Entry fee
- Free; donations welcome
- Distance
- About 2 km from Lachung village; about 120 km from Gangtok
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Best time
- March–June and October–December
7.Lachen Monastery
Lachen, North Sikkim
Lachen Monastery (Ngodub Choling) is a Nyingma gompa above Lachen village, the overnight base for Gurudongmar Lake. A short visit on the arrival evening. Timings, permit and how to reach.
- Timings
- Roughly daylight hours
- Entry fee
- Free; donations welcome
- Distance
- Short drive or walk from Lachen village; about 110–120 km from Gangtok
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Best time
- March–June and October–December
8.Bhim Nala Falls
Chungthang–Lachung road, North Sikkim
Bhim Nala Falls is one of North Sikkim's tallest roadside waterfalls, on the road from Chungthang to Lachung. A quick photo stop on the way to Yumthang, at its biggest in and just after the monsoon.
- Timings
- Daylight
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- Roughly 15–20 km before Lachung
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes
- Best time
- June–October for the most water
9.Naga Falls
North Sikkim Highway, Mangan district
Naga Falls is a large roadside waterfall on the North Sikkim Highway between Mangan and Chungthang, the first big falls on the drive from Gangtok to Lachung and Lachen. A quick stop, at its best after the monsoon.
- Timings
- Daylight
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- Roughly 70–80 km from Gangtok
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Best time
- June–October for the most water
Best time to visit North Sikkim
April to June for rhododendrons and flowers at Yumthang; October to December for clear skies. Snow covers Zero Point, Gurudongmar and Chopta from December to March, and roads can close after heavy snowfall. June to September brings landslides.
North Sikkim weather month by month →How to reach North Sikkim
Lachung and Lachen are each about 110–120 km from Gangtok, 6–7 hours by road via Mangan and Chungthang. A North Sikkim permit is required and is arranged by a registered tour operator in Gangtok; most trips are 2 nights (Lachung) or 3 nights (both valleys).
See North Sikkim with a local team
Private trips with a driver, hotels and permits arranged, built around the places above.
North Sikkim tour packages →North Sikkim: frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for North Sikkim?+
Two nights for Lachung, Yumthang and Zero Point, or three nights to add Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake.
Do I need a permit for North Sikkim?+
Yes. Indian travellers need a North Sikkim permit arranged by a registered operator. Foreign nationals can visit some areas with restrictions; Gurudongmar is generally not open to them.
When can I see snow in North Sikkim?+
From December to March at Zero Point, Gurudongmar and Chopta Valley, and sometimes into April.
Is Gurudongmar Lake safe for everyone?+
It is above 5,000 m, so spend a night at Lachen first, keep the visit short and avoid it with heart or breathing problems or very young children.
More places to visit in Northeast India
- Places to visit in Darjeeling
- Places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Sikkim
- Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Places to visit in Gangtok
- Places to visit in Assam
- Places to visit in Shillong
- Places to visit in Cherrapunji
- Places to visit in Tawang
- Places to visit in Pelling
- Places to visit in Guwahati
- Places to visit near Guwahati
- Places to visit in Northeast India
- Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Gangtok and Darjeeling
- Places to visit in South Sikkim
- Places to visit in Nagaland
- Places to visit in Kaziranga
- Places to visit in Dawki and Mawlynnong
- All Northeast India attractions