Major city · India
Lachen
One overnight stop for Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley. Go as part of a North Sikkim package; you cannot skip the night.
Lachen is a high-altitude village (8,838 ft) in North Sikkim, the mandatory overnight stop for day trips to Gurudongmar Lake (17,000 ft) and Chopta Valley (14,000 ft). The village itself is small — about 150 houses — with a monastery and a military base. Most travellers arrive on a 6-hour drive from Gangtok and leave the next afternoon.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (heavy snow, road closures), Jul–Aug (landslides)
- Airport
- IXB
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lachen112 ▾
- All emergencies112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lachen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyAltitude sickness is the main risk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIXB Bagdogra Airport (About 160 km (99 mi), 6–7 h drive to Lachen via Gangtok).IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 99 mi (160 km), 6–7 h drive to Lachen via Gangtok).
- Getting aroundLachen is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealThukpa (noodle soup)₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedPrivate double room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedPrivate double room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedPrivate double room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₹4,500 (≈ US$55) · High ₹8,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 160 km (99 mi), 6–7 h drive to Lachen via Gangtok)IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 99 mi (160 km), 6–7 h drive to Lachen via Gangtok)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lachen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
4 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
18 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Lachen is walkable. Day trips to Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley are by hired jeep or package tour vehicle; no public transport runs to those sites.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gurudongmar Lake
goDoor to door: About 5–6 h
Hired jeep or package tour from Lachen, about 2 h each way
Second-highest lake in India; open only to Indian citizens. Start early to avoid afternoon wind.
Chopta Valley
goDoor to door: About 4–5 h
Hired jeep or package tour from Lachen, about 1.5 h each way
Open to all nationalities. Alpine scenery and Tibetan plateau terrain.
Thangu
cautionDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Hired jeep from Lachen, about 1 h
A small settlement en route to Chopta Valley; limited facilities.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lachen village centre
Guesthouses and homestays along the main road; most package tours include accommodation here.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹2,000–3,500 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,500–6,000 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private double room in guesthouse1 × 1 night × ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,500 | ₹9,000 |
| Jeep hire for Gurudongmar Lake (per vehicle, up to 4)1 × ₹4,000 · check | ₹4,000 |
| Permit fee (Indian citizens)2 × ₹50 · check | ₹100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,610 |
| Trip total≈ ₹8,860 per person per day, bed included | ₹17,710≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Thukpa (noodle soup) | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Momos (10 pieces) | ₹100–150 (≈ US$2) |
| Tea | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Jeep hire to Gurudongmar Lake (per vehicle)check | ₹3,500–5,000 (≈ US$40–60) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude sickness is a real risk: Gurudongmar Lake is at 17,000 ft. Acclimatise in Gangtok or Lachen before the day trip.
- Foreigners are not allowed to visit Gurudongmar Lake; they can go to Chopta Valley instead. Check current permit rules.
- Roads can close at short notice in winter and monsoon. Confirm with your driver or tour operator the day before.
- Carry cash: there are no ATMs in Lachen. The nearest ATM is in Mangan or Gangtok.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LachenLachen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
यस ठेगानामा, कृपयाTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
Embassy
No foreign embassies in Sikkim. The nearest consulates are in Kolkata (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gangtok → Lachen by shared jeep: about ₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10) per person, 6 h (check)
- Jeep hire Lachen → Gurudongmar Lake (per vehicle): ₹3,500–5,000 (≈ US$40–60) (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavād)
- कति? — How much? (kati?)
- शौचालय कहाँ छ? — Where is the toilet? (śaucālay kahā̃ ch?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lachen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (heavy snow, road closures), Jul–Aug (landslides) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley with permit details and altitude warnings.
- Eat pages with last-order times for Lachen's guesthouse kitchens.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Gangtok and Bagdogra.
Sources
Ask about Lachen
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