Located 2700 meters above sea level, Lachung is a mountain village situated near the Tibetian border and is divided by Lachung river and surrounded by apple orchards. ‘Lachung’, meaning small pass, is another gem located in North Sikkim, which has vibrant prayer flags, cascading waterfalls and charming villages surrounded by soul-stirring serenity, rich culture and picturesque landscape.
There are number of attractions surrounding Lachung such as waterfalls, cultural sites, trekking trails and local cuisine. The nature lover seeking for breathtaking vistas must visit this place to attain a wonderful experience.
Table of Contents
By Road
Lachung is a well connected village that has roads connected to various towns situated in the Doors region. Travelling via roadway can be seen to be the only option available towards reaching Lachung, as there are no airports or railway lines connected to this place. After visiting Siliguri via flight or train, you can choose to travel to Gangtok via bus or private cab or share cab services.
The distance between Siliguri and Lachung is 186 km and there are no direct buses. Moreover, in order to travel to Lachung, you need to collect the necessary permit, which can be collected by the tour operator or also be included within your tour package.
In order to reach Gangtok from Siliguri, which is There are two routes to visit Lachung from Gangtok, one from via Chungthang road, which is 117 km away and takes 4 hours 11 minutes (approx.) and the other one is via Dikchu road that requires 126 km from Gangtok and requires over 4 hours 30 minutes to travel. You may also opt for bus service that will help you reach Gangtok.
| Ordinary Bus | Bus Fare: 150 |
| Bus Timing: 6:30 AM, 7:15 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM,10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM. | |
| AC Deluxe Bus | Bus Fare: 250 |
| Bus Timing: 10:30 AM | |
| AC Super Deluxe Bus | Bus Fare: 280 |
| Bus Timing: 8:00 AM, 1:30 PM | |
You also have the option to rent a bike from Siliguri and have an adventure trip, while riding to Lachung. Travelling via NH10 will help you cover 185 km in approximately 6 hours.
Also Read : Best Things To Do in Sikkim
By Train
Travelling to Lachung via train requires you to travel to NJP and then reach Gangtok using their preferred mode of transport. The travel time between NJP and Gangtok is 114 Km and may take around 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach by car. You can either opt for a cab service or bus service or rental bike service, as per your preference.
However, after the completion of the Rangpo and Sevok, tunnel, the passage for train journeys will be available reducing the travel time. The distance between Rangpo and Lachung is 110 km and may requires travel time of 4 hours 10 mins (approx.)
By Air
Travelling to Lachung via flight is a convenient and fast travel option. The nearest airport to Lachung is Bagdogra Airport (IXB) from where you can opt for private taxi services. You may also travel to Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus, which is around 14.2 Km away from Bagdogra Airport.
In case Paykong Airport is operational, you may also fly there covering a distance of 106 Km and after reaching there, you can travel to Gangtok, which will take around 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) covering a distance of 26.9 Km. In case you have arranged for the permit, you may travel directly to Lachung via cab service for around 5 hours, covering a distance of 128 km.
For More Blog Visit Tripfactory Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the nearest station to Lachung?
The nearest railway station to Lachung is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) that is located at a distance of 185 km which will take around 6 hours and 43 minutes to reach the destination. However, it is expected that in December, 2024 the Sivok-Rangpo railway line will be in operation that will make this line closest to Lachung, as the distance between the two points will be around 109 km.
Which is the nearest airport to Lachung?
The nearest airport to Lachung is Pakyong airport, which is placed at a distance of 127 km and will take about 4 hours and 53 minutes to reach the destination. The flights from Kolkata and Delhi will land at this airport at daily intervals to ensure promoting the tourism sector.
How to go to Lachung from Delhi?
You can fly from Delhi to Lachung by taking flight from Delhi Airport or Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and land at Pakyong airport, from where you can take a cab to Lachung by traveling a distance of 127 km that will require approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes. You can also reach Lachung via train by traveling to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) and then from there you can either take a private cab or a shareable taxi. It will take around 188 km from NJP to Lachung around a traveling time of around 6 hours and 41 minutes.
How is the road from Gangtok to Lachung?
The road from Gangtok to Lachung offers a scenic stretch of 103 km that has steep inclines and a number of hairpin bends. It will take around 4 hours and 21 minutes to reach Lachung from Gangtok. Moreover, you will also be required to collect permits before traveling to Lachung via car.
Is it worth visiting Lachung?
Yes, Lachung is worth a place to visit due to its natural beauty, scenic landscapes and different adventurous activities. Placed at an elevation of 8610 feet above the sea level, this tourist destination is surrounded by pine clad mountains covered with snow, beautiful waterfalls and dense alpine forests.
Is Lachen and Lachung same?
No, Lachen and Lachung are two different cities that are located in North Sikkim. Lachen is called the twin sister of Lachung. Lachen means “Big Pass”, whereas Lachung means “Small Pass” and both serves as base to some of the renowned tourist spots such as, Zero Point, Chopta valley, Yumthang valley and Gurudongmar lake.
Is Lachung better than Lachen?
In comparison to Lachen, the views from Lachung are better. It is also said that the hotels in Lachung are comparatively better than that of Lachen.
