Lachen in Sikkim is known for its wooden houses, beautiful views of the high mountains, and alpine pastures. People have not been there yet, but it is one of the calmest places on Earth. In this perfect place, you can be alone and listen to the sounds of nature. It is near North Sikkim and has some of the most beautiful tourist places. To feel at ease while you are in Sikkim, you should go to Lachen.
You have come to the right place if you want to find the best things to do in Lachen. Read on to find out about the best places to visit in Lachen.
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List of 8 Best Places to Visit in Lachen
Are you planning a trip to Lachen to beat the blues? Here is the list of the most popular tourist spots in Lachen that will make your trip to Sikkim even more wonderful and unforgettable.
1. Tso Lhamo Lake
The Tso Lhamo Lake is the highest lake in India and the 14th highest in the world. It is only 10 km from Gurudongmar Lake and is one of the most famous places to visit in Lachen. Lake Cholamoo, also called Cho Lhamo Lake, has a beautiful landscape that nature lovers will love. Tso Lhamo Lake is the crown jewel of Lachen tourism because of its peaceful atmosphere and stunning beauty.
Location: About 5,330 meters above the China border, Lhamo Lake is in the North Sikkim district.
Restriction: Authorized travel agents or tour operators can request for special permits.
The best time to visit is between April and June, when the weather is milder, though it can still be frigid.
2. Gurudongmar Lake
Gurudongmar Lake is a sacred lake in the beautiful Kanchenjunga ranges. It is one of the top-rated places to visit in Lachen. Most people who visit Lachen go to this spot. It is one of the highest and biggest lakes in Sikkim. For both Buddhists and Sikhs, the lake is a place of worship. The lake is named for Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. He visited the lake in the eighth century and made it melt.
Location: About 5,430 meters above the China border, Gurudongmar Lake lies in the North Sikkim area.
Restriction: Due to its proximity to the Indo-Tibetan border, special permissions are required; they can be obtained through reputable tour companies or travel agencies.
Best Time to Visit: April through May, during the summer, is the ideal time to go because of the generally milder temperature and the beautiful blooms of rhododendrons.
3. Thangu Valley
This beautiful valley is only 5 km away from Chopta Valley and is a nature lover’s dream. Lachen has many lovely places to visit, but Thangu Valley is the most attractive. This valley is very high up, so it snows almost all year, and there are army camps all around it. People who want a quiet and peaceful vacation or a break from the hot Indian summers should go to the valley. Trekking here is one of the best things to do in Sikkim.
Location: The Thangu Valley is around 30 miles from Lachen in North Sikkim.
Restriction: Special permissions are required due to its proximity to the Indo-Tibetan border. These can be obtained through tour operators or approved travel agencies.
Best Time to Visit: The most excellent time to visit is in the summer months of April and May, when the temperature is more pleasant and the rhododendrons blossom, adding to the splendor.
4. Lachen Monastery
You should visit the Lachen Gompa or Lachen Monastery when you go to Lachen. Its Tibetan-style design and engineering give off a spiritual vibe. Members of the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism built and dedicated this temple. The peaceful and beautiful prayer flags and wheels, along with the figure of Guru Padmasambhava, make this monastery from 1858 AD even more special.
This abbey hosts the Annual Mask Dance every year, an enjoyable event. The view of the snowy mountains around the building is breathtaking. What started as a simple building by Lama Karchen Dorje Drak—a small hut—became, over time, an impressive temple.
Location: Lachen Monastery lies in North Sikkim, around two to three hours’ drive from Lachen.
Restriction: Special permissions are required due to its proximity to the Indo-Tibetan border. These can be obtained from accredited tour operators or travel agencies.
Best Time to Visit: From March to June, during the summer, when the temperature is often calmer, and the rhododendrons blossom and enhance the scenery, is the ideal time to visit.
5. Chopta Valley
This beautiful valley is next on the list of beautiful places to see in Lachen. It is in Northern Sikkim, close to Thangu Valley, and is a famous place for trekking from Lachen. The valley is home to orchids, snow-capped hills, and rivers that wind through it. Its scenery is unmatched. Lachen has many places to visit, but the valley is the most beautiful. Adventurers from around the world come to Lachen to hike the trails around the valley, which is one of the most exciting things to do there. You can also watch birds and animals here.
Location: It takes a little over an hour to drive from Lachen, in North Sikkim, to Chopta Valley, which is around 35 km distant. Situated approximately 31 kilometers from Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley is close to Thangu village.
Restriction: Special permissions are required due to its proximity to the Indo-Tibetan border. These can be obtained from accredited tour operators or travel agencies.
Best Time to Visit: When the weather is excellent and the skies are clear, the summer months of April through June, as well as the autumn months of September through November, are the ideal times to visit. The summertime charms its guests with the splendor of blossoming flowers.
6. Lhonak Valley
People love to go trekking in Sikkim, and the Lhonak Valley is one of the most famous places to visit in Lachen. The valley is mostly empty, with only a few Tibetan nomad villages. The Indian Army closely monitors the valley because it is their last base in Sikkim. People who go on the hike to the valley can enjoy watching birds and other animals.
Location: It takes somewhat more than 2.5 hours to drive by road from Lachen, the capital of North Sikkim, to Lhonak Valley, which is around 55 km distant. The distance between Chopta Valley and Lhonak Valley is roughly 19 kilometers.
Restriction: Special permissions are required due to its proximity to the Indo-Tibetan border. These can be obtained from accredited tour operators or travel agencies.
Best Time to Visit: When the weather is excellent and the skies are clear, the summer months of April through June, as well as the autumn months of September through November, are the ideal times to visit. The summertime charms its guests with the splendor of blossoming flowers.
7. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
The beautiful Himalayan Mountain ranges surround the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, which is home to more than forty kinds of stunningly beautiful Rhododendrons. The flower-filled months of April through July are the best times to go. You can find these pretty flowers all over Northern Sikkim, but the collection at the refuge is the best.
Location: Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary lies in the Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim, 26 km from Lachung and roughly 23 km from Lachen. The distance between Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary and Gangtok, the capital, is approximately 106 kilometers and 7 hours by car.
Entry Fee: There is no additional cost to enter Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit: April through July, when the flowers are in bloom, is the ideal time to visit because it is the most picturesque period.
8. Mystical Green Lake Trek
This almost untouched gem is one of the most popular places to go trekking in Sikkim. From the lake, you can see the beautiful Kanchenjunga Mountain peaks. Dense woods and beautiful meadows full of blue poppies and other plants and animals all around the hiking trails lead to this beautiful home.
Location: Starting at 2,730 meters above sea level and roughly 135 kilometers from Gangtok, Lachen is the starting point of the Sikkim Green Lake Trek. The route goes through Zema and ends at 3,240 meters at Tallem.
Entry Fee: There are no entry fees.
Best Time to Visit: The summer and fall seasons, which span from April to May and September to November, are the ideal times to go.
The Bottom Line
Lachen is a popular tourist place because of its beautiful nature, peaceful atmosphere, and rich cultural history. Lachen has many exciting things, from the beautiful Gurudongmar Lake to the cute villages and valleys. It has something for nature fans, adventurers, and people who just want to relax. Each place in and around Lachen offers a different experience that shows off the Himalayas’ unmatched beauty and the friendliness of the people who live there.
So, pack your bags and enjoy these best places to visit in Lachen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lachen Tourist Places
What is Lachen's average elevation?
Lachen is 2750 meters above sea level on average.
How to reach Lachen?
Lachen is easily accessible by automobile via NJP (New Jalpaiguri Junction), Bagdogra Airport, and Siliguri.
How Women-Friendly is Lachen?
Without a doubt, Lachen is secure for both men and women. Solo tourists might feel safe at Lachen because of the admirable law and the welcoming, peaceful locals.
What can you see in and around town?
The Lachung Monastery, Yumthang Valley, Thangu Valley, Kanchenjunga National Park, Lachen Monastery, Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley, and more are some of the most well-known tourist destinations in and surrounding Lachen.
What meals is Lachen offering?
Lachen offers a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes, such as Thupka, Phagshapa, Sha Phaley, and Momos.
How many days are sufficient to visit Lachen?
An organized 4-day schedule will suffice to cover Lachen. It acts as a base for exploring the breathtaking Chopta Valley, which is about 26 km away, and Gurudongmar Lake, which is about 64 km away.
