Things to do in Lachen

Lachen is a quiet and serene village that is nestled amidst hills. If you are seeking peace and calmness, then this destination is best suited for you. This charming village ornamented with wooden houses will offer you an escape from the bustling city life and let you immerse in the Sikkimese culture. There are numerous things to be done when you are in Lachen. Starting from witnessing picturesque landscapes to enjoying cultural delights to trekking at high altitudes.    

Here is the list of 10 things to be done in Lachen that will help you enjoy your trip and also gain unique experiences 

1. Visiting Lachen Monastery
2. Gurudongmar Lake
3. Chopta Valley
4. Tso Lhamo lake
5. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
6. Kanchenjunga National Park
7. Tasting the Local Cuisines
8. Green Lake trek
9. Shopping Local Handicraft Items
10. Traveling to Thangu Valley

Things to do in Lachen

Visiting Lachen Monastery

Lachen Monastery is also called Ngodub Choling Gompa or Launching Gompa, which is a monastery located in Lachen. The monastery at its early stage was a small hut that was founded back in the year 1858 by Lama Karchen Dorje Drak. Later in the year 1977, the small hut was reconstructed into a monastery with the financial aid of the Sikkim Government. The monastery follows the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The religious place is surrounded by prayer wheels and  colorful prayer flags. In the monastery, you can find the statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery is situated at a distance of 3.4 km from Lachen and takes about 9 minutes to reach the destination.

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit Lachen Monastery is during the months of March and June, when you will feel pleasurable weather. 

Also Read : How to Reach Sikkim

Gurudongmar Lake

Gurudongmar lake is a glacial lake that is situated at an altitude of 5425 meters above sea level. You can witness the snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake and the pristine water of the lake will mesmerize you. As per the locals, this part of this lake is believed to be blessed by Guru Rinpoche, for which despite freezing temperatures, that part of the lake does not freeze.

A lot of adventure enthusiasts travel to this lake, especially on bikes to experience the thrill and breathtaking views of the road. The lake is situated at a distance of 64.3 km from Lachen and will take about 2 hours and 12 minutes to reach the destination.    

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit Gurudongmar lake is between the months of March and June, when the weather stays pleasant and the skies stay clear, as a result, you will be able to witness the stunning panorama surrounding the lake.   

Chopta Valley

Chopta Valley is another mesmerizing place that is surrounded by lofty mountains. The valley is situated at an elevation of 4023 meters where you can see mesmerizing views of the surrounding environment along with an escape from the bustling chores of the city. Chopta Valley is situated at a distance of 16.2 km from Lachen and takes about 39 minutes to reach the destination. It is also a stop for passengers traveling to Gurudongmar lake. The valley is also home to a diverse flora and fauna 

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit Chopta Valley is between the months of March and May, when the average temperature ranges between 8°C to 15°C. You can also witness the surrounding views of the valley clearly.  

Also Read : How to Reach Gangtok

Tso Lhamo lake

Tso Lhamo lake is also called Cho Lhamu or Cholamu Lake that is located amidst the lofty mountains in the North Sikkim region. The lake is situated at an elevation of 5330 meters above sea level. You will be mesmerized with the surrounding panorama of the lake.

However, you need to obtain a permit before visiting this lake as it is at a close proximity to the India-China border. The nature lovers and adventurers will gain a worthy experience. This lake is also one of the sources to the river Teesta. The lake is located at a distance of 70.7 km from Lachen and will take about 2 hours and 24 minutes to reach the destination.    

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit Tso Lhamo Lake is between the months of September and October when the skies stay clear and the weather remains pleasurable. These climatic conditions make the trekking easier as well as help in witnessing the surrounding beauty of the lake in a better manner.  

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a beautiful nature park that is situated in Sikkim and has over forty species of Rhododendrons species. There are also a number of bird species that you can witness in this sanctuary, which attracts a number of tourists from different parts of India.

The sanctuary is spread across an area of 43 square kilometers, which also consists of trees like gentians, aconites, poppies, saxifrages, primulas, potentillas, and others. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 59.3 km from Lachen which will take around 2 hours and 18 minutes.

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit this sanctuary is between the months of April and July when the rhododendrons flower blooms. This makes the place filled with colorful hues of the different species of rhododendrons.  

Kanchenjunga National Park

Kanchenjunga National Park is a biosphere reserve that is home to a diverse bird species accounting to about half of the total bird species. Moreover, the national park is also home to one-third of the country’s flowering plants. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was the first mixed heritage site that was added in the list in July 2016.

Moreover, there are also mythological stories that are associated with the lakes, rivers and caves present within the national park that is worshiped by the Sikkimese people. The national park is spread across an area of 178400 hectares, Moreover, the elevation of the national park is from 1220 meters to 8586 meters. There are also numerous glaciers and lakes present within the premises, including Zemu glacier that is 26 km long.

There are also a number of different eco-zones present within the national park due to its varying altitudes and vegetation. The national park is located at a distance of 121 km which will take around 4 hours and 40 minutes from Lachen.    

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit Kanchenjunga National Park is between September to December and March to May when you can get pleasurable weather.  

Also Read : Places to Visit in Sikkim

Tasting the Local Cuisines

Beside wonderful locations there are also a number of delicious mouth-watering cuisines that will make you crave for more. Some of the popular cuisines of Lachen are thukpa, momo, phagshapa, sel roti, gundruk, sinshu soup, aloo dum, kinema curry, chhurpi soup and chang.

These traditional Sikkimese foods offer both energy and warmth at such high altitudes. Moreover, the local cuisine serves both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.   

Green Lake trek

Green Lake trek is a popular trek in Sikkim that attracts adventure enthusiasts from different parts of the country. The lake is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters above the sea level that also offers breathtaking scenarios.

The alpine forests and surrounding snow-capped mountains will offer you breathtaking panoramas. Moreover, you will also be able to witness the scenic view of the majestic Kachenjunga from the trek. The lake is situated at a distance of 51.2 km from Lachen and will take around 2 hours to reach the destination. You need to trek a distance of 92 km to complete this trail.         

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit this trek is during the months of October to November and April to May, when you can witness rhododendrons and wildflowers in full bloom. Moreover, there will also be no snow, thus the path will be easy to trek. 

Shopping Local Handicraft Items

Lachen may not offer you shoppers paradise, but it will offer you a number of handicraft items that are crafted and prepared by the locals. The handicrafts item consists of wooden articles, hats, bags, carpets, handbags, shawls and blankets. You can purchase these items from the local shops and gift to your loved ones or also carry them back as a memory.   

Best time to Visit: You can visit Lachen in between March and June, when you will witness pleasant weather around the village.

Also Read : Places to Visit in Gangtok

Traveling to Thangu Valley

Thangu valley is yet another serene attraction that offers panoramic vistas to the visitors from different parts of India. The valley is situated at an elevation of 3950 meters above the sea level. Over the period 0f time, this place has emerged as a popular tourist attraction, as it is surrounded by alpine flowers and has river Teesta flowing by its side.

Besides river Teesta, there are also three other rivers flowing by the valley namely, Lassur, Thangu and Chopta. Thangu valley is situated at a distance of 32 km from Lachen and takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes to reach the destination.  

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit Thangu valley is between the months of March and June, when the skies are clear and the weather remains pleasant.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the popular things to explore in Lachen?

Sikkim’s most visited tourist destinations, including Chopta Valley, Green Lake, Lachen Monastery, Kanchenjunga National Park, Rhododendron Sanctuary, and Lachung, are located in Lachen.

Is Lachen safe for tourists?

Indeed, Traveling to Lachen is safe as North Sikkim is reopened for tourists and the presence of local police and BSF ensures the safety and security of the tourists. 

Is Lachen worth visiting?

Yes , The Lachen Monastery is the primary attraction for tourists. Yumthang Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, and other local tourist sites are also worth seeing. The Chopta Valley, situated in the northern part of Lachen, is particularly worth a visit for its rich alpine vegetation, rhododendrons, and intriguing lakes and rivers.

How many days are required for Lachen?

The three-day journey will provide you with the best possible experience of Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley, and the Teesta River.

Can I take my car to Lachen?

Private cars are not permitted in protected zones. Yes, it is only available up to Lachung and in Gangtok.