Offering a quiet backdrop and a spell-binding views, Lachen Monastery is a noteworthy attraction in Lachen that was originally built in 1858 A.D by the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and with the help of its 8 monks, who transformed a small hut constructed by Lama Karchen Dorje Drak. Lachen Monastery, also known as Ngodub Choling or the Launching Gompa, is seated at a picturesque location overlooking the village and housing the statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The premises of this sacred place is decorated with colourful prayer flags and prayer wheels. Feel bliss as you enter Lachen Monastery, It is a mind boggling pilgrimage experience.
Best Time to Visit :-
The best time to visit is from March to June.
Tranquil and scenic is what Thangu Valley is all about. Due to its high altitude located of around 3962 m, it is covered in the blanket of snow almost all the time. The valley comprises alpine meadows that are flanked by shimmering water of River Teesta and wooden houses, offering a picturesque sight to witness. Apart from Teesta River, three more rivers, Chopta, Thangu and Lassur also flow through this valley. There is also a small village of the same name in the valley, which is used as a halt by tourists heading to the beautiful and popular attraction of Sikkim, Gurudongmar Lake.
Best Time to Visit :-
The best time to visit Thangu Valley is from March to June.
Another one of the most beautiful tourist places In Lachen, the stunning Chopta valley is wrapped up in North Sikkim. Sitting about 2 hours away from Lachung, and beautifully en route Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta valley reigns at a staggering 4,000 meters above sea level.
During summers, the entire valley is bathed in a stunning medley of colours due to the presence of beautiful alpine flowers that it is home to. Winters turn the entire place into a picturesque wonderland, layered by a thick carpet of snow. The tree line begins to fade from here, and the dominion of shrubs is evident. Beyond the valley, the land becomes completely devoid of vegetation, and the lofty mountains begin to rise. The aroma of the flowers merges will the cool breeze from the mountains to render you truly speechless.
It is a gorgeous lake situated in North Sikkim, popular with many names; Tso Lhamo Lake, Chho Lhamo, Cholamu Lake or Cholamoo Lake. It is one of the highest lake in the world situated at an altitude of 5,330 m, that harbours extreme temperatures, which is why it is remote to most of the tourists. Fed by the snow covered mountains that surrounds it, Tso Lhamo Lake is one of the sources of River Teesta. This serene lake, nurturing in the lap of the isolated part of mother nature, is blessed with delightful views that creates an enchanting environment and fills the rare visitors with the sense of peace. Though it requires a special Army permit to visit this lake, it is still one of most astoundingly beautiful lake that tops the list of Sikkimâs must visited lakes.
Best Time to Visit :-
The ideal time to start your journey to Tso Lhamo is during the months of October and November.
Khangchendzonga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it covers an area of 1784 sq km. This high altitude national park in Yuksom is known for its spectacular wildlife where exotic animal species such as Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Great Tibetan Sheep, Bharal, Musk deer etc can be spotted. The park also has a number of bird species like the Black-necked Crane, Grus nigricollis, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Tibetan Snow Cock, and Himalayan Snow Cock. Khangchendzonga National Park has about 18 glaciers, including Zemu Glacier, which is quite famous for its massive size. Besides this, the national park also has over 17 alpine lakes along with a view of about 19 Himalayan mountains peaks, amongst which is the popular Mount Khangchendzonga. There is also a sacred shrine named Tholung Monastery in the buffer zone of the national park.
Best Time to Visit :-
The best time to visit the Kanchenjunga National Park is between April and May.
About 21 km away from Bhim Nala Falls, the Naga Falls sits somewhere along the Gangtok - Chungthang road and is easily one of the most spectacular places to visit In Lachen. Another one of the tallest waterfalls In Lachen, this multi-tiered cascade is veered a little ways off the beaten tracks and offers wonderful solitude and respite from the most popular sites In Lachen.
Early morning or evening spent here, amidst the wooded hills, listening to a beautiful medley of sounds that blend in with the tumultuous roar of the falls is an experience that lingers in the heart. Surrounded by the panorama of lofty mountain peaks, Naga Falls is an unmissable place to visit during your Sikkim trip.
Yumthang Valley is a beautiful valley situated in north Sikkim. It is rightfully called a valley of flowers. Yumthang Valley is extremely picturesque, with green slopes covered with trees, yaks grazing in the flower-spangled grassy plains below, and a river flowing right through the valley. The serene and tranquil air of the Valley cannot be described in words. A single visit there can leave the visitor in an enchanted state for weeks.
A forest rest house is the only permanent residence in the valley. During the spring months, the area blooms with rhododendrons, primulas, poppies, iris and other flora. During the summer months, villagers take their cattle to these heights to graze (a practice known as yaylag pastoralism). In view of increasing number of tourists, there is possibility of environmental degradation in near future. Skiing is conducted in the valley.