Lachen tourism and travel guide
Overview
Lachen, situated at a height of about 9,000 feet a small town in North Sikkim, India. Wrapped in the Majestic Himalayas, it is the sister town of Lachung, the name Lachen means “Big Pass”. A place with placid beauty that servers as starting points for trips to Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley. The serene beauty of Lachen is unbeatable and is one of a kind. The panoramic views of mighty Himalayan peaks touching the clouds, alpine meadows and snow-covered mountain slopes all fused to create the allure of this place.
For all the nature enthusiasts, photographers and adventure seekers Lachen is a true delight offering stunning landscapes, unique local culture and nonchalant natural beauty brewed together. Let this snippet serve you as your Lachen Travel Guide and take you on a breathtaking journey to this cozy nook and make your adventurous journey to Lachen an everlasting memory.
Lachen have placid beauty, far from today’s modernization, every terrain and turn you take here is sublime and a unique experience in itself but few places like Lachen Gompa, Chopta Valley and Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary are considered as the Top Places to Visit in Lachen. Where in the Chopta Valleyyou can experience a mindboggling trekking adventure, Lachen Gompa offers calmness blended with rich culture and tradition and enjoy leisure stroll amidst the vibrant rhododendron flowers in Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.
Lachen have a thrilling adventurous tale for all of its visitors. The best time to visit Lachen is during summer or autumn. During Monsoon and winter season it is advisable not to visit Lachen, due to landslides in Monsoon and due to excessive snowfall in winters that leads to route blockage. While looking for Lachen Tour Packages or Sikkim Tour Packages that contains Lachen, make sure to confirm the availability of the special permit required to visit Lachen. Due to its proximity to China border it is mandatory to obtain a permit and carry all the relevant documents and ID proofs. Although it might seem challenging at first, but once you arrive in Lachen, you’ll find that all the effort was absolutely worthwhile.
Attractions in Lachen
In the backdrop of snow-clad mountain peaks, Lachen or the 'big pass' is about 129 km from the state capital, Gangtok. The Eastern Himalayas begins here. A scenic marvel, the place is home or base to several treks to the Kanchenjunga National Park, Green Lake, and the Yumthang Valley. It is the gateway to the Tso Lhamu Lake and Gurudongmar.
The summer season is enjoyable here, making it the best time to visit the place. In July and September, the place experiences moderate to heavy rains while the place turns a deep white blanket of ice during the winters
Sikkimese (Bhutia) is the official language of Sikkim. English, Lepcha, and Nepali are the lingua franca of certain parts of the state.
The native people living here mostly belong to the Nepali ethnicity. The indigenous Sikkimese belong to the Lachenpas community. Most of the natives here follow Hinduism, with Buddhism and Christianity, two of the other religions predominately practiced here.
Lachen is the only place in India with a traditional local self-governance where each of the 200 households in the village is a part of the administrative system. It is called Dzumsa. An unexplored area, the pine-covered trees, and the alpine pastures are welcoming sights. A Yak Race called Thangu is an annual event organized here every summer.
The place is famous for native Sikkim food, including Tibetan delicacy like the momos, Thupka, traditional Daal Bhaat, Nepali food Dhindo, Phagshapa, Sha Phaley, Sael Roti, and the local drink called Chang
The mighty Himalayas with green vegetation that turns white during the winters is one of the unexplored lands in North Sikkim. Silence is intercepted with natural sounds, and the sight of wooden homes makes it one of the most beautiful places in the state.
A visit to the Lachen Gompa or Monastery is a must-do activity. The nineteenth-century architectural beauty is an exemplary showcase of Tibetan engineering and the venue for the Annual Mask Dance. A visit to the Shinga Rhodendron Sanctuary is also a must-do activity here. The ideal time is from April to July when the floral species are in full bloom.
Amidst the Kanchenjunga range is the Gurudongmar Lake, which holds religious significance for Sikhs and Buddhists. The unfrozen water, even during peak winters, is an amazing sight. You can catch the view of Mount Khanchendzonga and Siniolchu from here. About 10 km from the Lake is the Tso Lhamo Lake, ranked as the 14th most striking place on the globe. You need a tourist permit to visit this place and enjoy the sight of the clear blue water.
Another place to visit is the Thangu Valley offering a stunning picturesque view of the valley, winding streams, snow-topped peaks, and orchids. Trekking is one of the activities tourists enjoy here. You can also indulge in bird watching and spotting untamed wildlife.
The Chopta Valley at an altitude of 4023m is another interesting stop while going to Gurudongmar Lake. Some of the most popular treks around this place include the Green Lake Trek, the trek around Yumthang Valley, and the Lhonak Valley.
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