North Sikkim refers to the northern district of Sikkim, seems to be a slice of natural beauty with its share of valleys and mountains. Sitting on the lap of the Himalayan mountain range, the beauty of the northern part of this state can be harbored in the memories for a long time. Whether it is the fragrance of different species of flowers, the adorable and astounding beauty of Kanchenjunga, or the serenity of the lakes and rivers, nature lovers should not miss the northern part of Sikkim. When you are looking for romance, solace, peace, and adventure, North Sikkim tourist spots are must haves in your itinerary.
Best Places to visit in North Sikkim
Lachung
This is the first destination you can visit during a trip to the northern district. A quaint and beautiful village town located at the bank of Lachung River, it is an ideal destination for the nature lovers. Meaning a ‘small pass’ the proximity to the border of Tibet is what makes this destination intriguing for the tourists. While the major attraction of the town is Lachen Gompa, the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is another excellent place offering you a glimpse of the beautiful species of flowers.
You need to pay attention to the originality of the culture in the village locality. The best route to reach Lachung is to drive from Gangtok via Seven Sisters Water Falls, Shinghik Valley and the Naga Waterfalls. You can stop on the way and view these destinations as well during the trip. For covering a distance of about 125 kilometers, the drive can take about six hours.
How to reach: Lachung
The best way to reach Lachung is via a drive from Gangtok to Lachung via Singhik view point, Seven Sisters Waterfall and Naga Waterfalls.
Shinghik
This is a small village located on the way to Lachung and seems to be a share of paradise on the earth. While the glittering view of Kanchendzonga and Mount Siniolchu makes you satisfied, some travelers love the opportunity of hiking and trekking through the short and long trails available here. The distance of Shinghik from Gangtok is about fifty eight kilometers and it can take two hours or a little more.
How to reach: Singhik
Singhik is located at a distance of approx 56 kms from Gangtok and the only way to reach is by hiring taxi or getting a private vehicle.
Seven Sisters Waterfalls
This place is situated at about thirty two kilometers from Gangtok and falls on the way to Mangan and Lachung. The water in this falls cascades through different steps and a footbridge allows the tourists to get a good view of this location. You can also visit the Naga Waterfalls from Lachung and enjoy the water falling from multiple points.
How to reach: Seven Sisters Waterfalls
The waterfalls is located 32kms from Gangtok and it is a 40 mins drive to reach here. You can hire a taxi or a private care to reach this location.
Yumthang Valley
This is another picturesque destination situated at the northern part of Sikkim and frequented by the tourists during a trip to Lachung. While thick forests of rhododendron and the hot sulphur springs characterize this valley, you will come across as many as twenty-four species of this flower in this valley. No wonder, Yumthang has earned the name “Valley of Flowers”.
The passing of River Teesta through this valley and the vast stretch of meadows make this destination a paradise for the nature lovers. A drive from Gangtok to Yumthang Valley can take about eight hours and the best option is to reach Lachung and consider visiting this destination the next day. You can avoid taking a direct trip to this valley as it gets dark beyond 5 PM.
Lachung is one of the favorite tourist hotspots and a destination that is present at the intersection of the two tributaries Lachen and Lachung. The place is included in the itinerary of the tourists due to the beautiful waterfalls that surround this destination. With spectacular sights of the snow-capped mountains, it is also located close to the beautiful Yumthang Valley.
How to reach: Yumthang Valley
o reach here you need to drive from Gangtok which is the nearest connected place. You can opt for an overnight stay at Lachung and the next day early morning you could leave for Yumthang Valley. A direct journey to this place from Gangtok may get you there in the dark and the place doesn’t have many road lights to keep the area lit during night hours.
Mangan
This is the entry point to Lachen and Lachung and is considered the base town before you make it to the unknown parts of North Sikkim. This town has also earned recognition for a major market center for people living in Northern Sikkim. While you will encounter a plenty of fruit sellers in this location selling their products, the view of Kanchendzonga is going to captivate your mind and heart. A drive to this base town takes around two hours from Gangtok and is situated at a distance of about fifty four kilometers.
How to reach: Mangan
To reach Mangan, one can hire a private taxi or cab to reach this location. Alternatively, one can also use their private vehicles to reach the destination.
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
If you are keen to immerse in the meadows of rhododendron flowers, the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is one of the most frequently visited destinations of Lachung. The place features a variety of rhododendron flowers and other species of flora as well. If you visit Sikkim between the months of April and July, be prepared to get mesmerized with the beauty of the rhododendron flowers in full bloom during a trip to this sanctuary.
How to reach: Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
You can opt for trekking to this sanctuary from Yumthang Valley. If you are in Gangtok then you will need to hire a taxi and cover the distance in around 7 hours to reach the valley.
Mount Katao
This is another destination you can visit from Lachung where you can view the pristine beauty of the mountains. If you love trekking, this is an ideal destination and simply enjoy the vegetation of poppy, primula, and rhododendron during spring and summer. Some of the sports activities you can enjoy here are snowboarding, snowtubing, and skiing.
How to reach: Mt. Katao
Mt. Katao is located at a distance of 28kms from Lachung which can easily be covered using your private vehicle or by hiring a taxi.
Lachen
This is yet another destination on the northern part of Sikkim where the tourists will come across some of the most beautiful aspects of this hilly region. Meaning “Big Pass”, it is the base for the trip you may plan to Chopta Valley, Lhamu and Gurudongmar Lake. You can also take a trek to the nearby Yumthang Valley and the best time to visit this destination during the summer when the annual yak race is organized.
A drive to Lachen from Gangtok can take about six hours or a bit more and the distance covered is about 129 kilometers. If you plan to trek to Yumthang Valley, which lies at a short distance from Lachen, it can take about two hours to reach Lachen from Yumthang.
How to reach: Lachen
One can drive down to Lachen from Gangtok on a jeep. Most people cover Lachen and Yumthang Valley on a single day as it at a short distance from each other.
Lachen Gompa
Although there are numerous places you can visit in Lachen, the Lachen Gompa is famous and displays the finest Tibetan architecture. The annual mask dance is held here every year.
Chopta Valley
The entire valley turns into a blend of different colors when you visit this place during the spring. This is one of those places from where the greenery starts losing the sight as it is considered as one of the bases for the high altitude lake Gurudongmar. There are more barren mountains in the surroundings of this valley with diminished pastures. You can drive to Lachen to stay there for the night and travel to this valley via Thangu the next day. The drive from Lachen to this valley can take eight hours and covers a distance of 160 kilometers.
How to reach: Chopta Valley
There are two routes via road. You can start from Gangtok and reach Lachen via Mangan for an overnight stay. Then the next day early morning you can reach Gurudongmar Lake via Thangu. While returning from Gurudongmar people often stay at Chopta Valley via a mud track.
Thangu
This quiet and serene village falls on the way to the base of the Indian Military as many of them stay here to adapt to the climate of high altitude. For those who wish to trek to Muguthang and Chopta Valley can stop at this base. You can drive to Lachen from Gangtok and visit this destination the next day, which can take about six to seven hours and covers a distance of about 150 kilometers.
How to reach: Thangu
The Closest domestic airport is Bagdogra and from there you can hire jeeps and buses. The nearest railhead is in Jalpaiguri which is at 147 km. One can very easily drive through from Lachen to Thangu. The distance is only 30 km.
Gurudongmar Lake
Among the famous destinations of Sikkim that you cannot miss, this high-altitude lake is situated at over five thousand feet is nothing less than a picture postcard. It is one of the source streams of the Teesta River and carries religious importance. While the appearance of this lake during the summer is sparkling, it becomes completely frozen during the winter. It is the simplicity of this place that attracts tourists and indeed one of the best places to visit when you are in Sikkim. You can drive to Lachen from Gangtok and drive to this destination the next day through Chopta valley.
How to reach: Gurudongmar Lake
One can drive from Gangtok to Lachen and get a night stay. The next day if you leave early morning you can drive to Gurudongmar for a small stay and then drive your way to Chopta Valley.
Chungthang
This historical town is situated at the junction of Lachen and Lachung rivers and it is believed that Guru Nanak and Guru Padmasambhava also visited this place. This destination is also considered a base camp for several regions such as Yumthang, Katao, Lachen, Gurudongmar, and Tso-Lamu Lake. Due to its rich biodiversity, the place is considered a gift of nature. Located at a distance of about 95 kilometers from Gangtok, it is a three-hour drive from the capital city of Sikkim.
How to reach: Chungthang
The town is well-connected with any city of Sikkim so one can take a cab ride to this place easily.
Tso Lhamo Lake
It is located at a distance of about ten kilometers from Gurudongmar Lake and the highest altitude lake on India and occupies the portion of 14 in the list of high altitude lakes in the world. The landscape surrounding this lake is splendid and the tourists love the serene atmosphere. From Lachen, a drive to this lake covers a distance of 74 kilometers and takes a little more than three hours.
Muguthang Valley – Lhonak La
It is one of the popular trekking destination of Sikkim and one of the most frequented places in Lachen. Except for a few settlements of Tibeten Nomads, the place has no inhabitants. Activities such as spotting the wildlife and bird watching enthuses the tourists during a trip to this valley and it is under constant scan of the Indian Army as the last Indian outpost in Sikkim.
How to reach: Muguthang
Muguthang Valley can be reached from Chopta Valley by trekking through the high Lhonak La pass.
Green Lake
This is a treasured destination in Sikkim that has stayed untouched and offers spectacular view of the Kanchendzonga mountain range. The trails leading to this trekking destination is simply magnificent with dense forests around and vast meadows enriched with blue poppies along with a varied range of flora and fauna.
How to reach: Green Lake
Green Lake Trek is located at the base of Mt. Khangchendzonga. You can drive or trek to this destination. The drive can take you more than an hour as it is situated at about 48 kilometers from Lachen.
If you want the perfect amalgamation of tourist hotspot for a vacation you will remember forever, then you have the deadly combination of Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang right now. The first destination will be Lachung. Then you have Mangan as the entry point of Lachen and Lachung and you can take a trip to Shinghik, on its way to Lachung. Some of the most famous tourist spots to cover these three places are Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Mount Katao, Yumthang Valley, Lachen Gompa, Chopta Valley, Thangu, Gurudongmar Lake, Chungthang, Tso Lamu Lake, Muguthang Valley and the Green Lake, to end the trip.
You may like to visit beautiful water falls you may check here for places in Jharkhand.