Journey to Gurudongmar Lake North Sikkim. Gurudogmar Lake,is one of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 17,800 ft (5,430 m)in Sikkim. There was lot of fresh snow probably during the bad weather that we faced at Gangtok. Journey was for three hours with engulfing the splendid scenic beauty & snow covered high altitude mountains were coming closer gradually when our car moving nearest to the lake. You can get a glimpse of Yaks, blue ships along with various other animals available at high altitudes. 3rd Day : Lachen to Gurudongmar. Situated at a sky-high altitude of 18000 feet, this lake is sacred to the Buddhists, Hindus and the Sikhs. The chilliness in the weather had increased. Why is Gurudongmar Lake One of the Best North Sikkim Tourist Places? It takes around 3 hrs to reach Gurudongmar Lake and an early morning start is required. The weather at Gurudongmar worsens as the day progresses; hence you need to get back to Lachen by noon. It was 4 AM in the morning. Tour to Gurudongmar Lake starts from Gangtok. You need to start early in the morning (at 4 or 5 am) from Lachen. Gurudongmar Lake History: Gurudongmar Lake is a sacred lake, surprising fact of this lake is, and some of its portions never get frosted even in the harsh and heavy winters. Gurudongmar is named after the legendary Buddhist master, Guru Padmasambhava (popularly known as Guru Rinpoche), who is credited to have established the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism, widely practiced in the Himalayan region. Note the fencing of the pathway around the lake. You need to obtain the permit only in Gangtok, before a day of starting the journey. 18000 ft. Lake Gurudongmar is one of the highest lakes in the world and is a sacred site for Sikkimese and is also one of the highest points in Sikkim reachable via vehicle. After spending 45 mins at Gurudongmar Lake I reluctantly climbed back onto our car and prepared myself for the return journey to Lachen. Locals were dressed up in sweaters and jackets and in no time we joined their fleet. Overnight at Lachung. You can see the reflections of the snow peaks of Mt. Trip to Gurudongmar Lake from Lachen. Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest altitude lake (17800 ft) in India and situated in Sikkim, a small hilly state at the eastern Himalayan range. Thus, taking a road trip from Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake is a convenient journey as well as a memorable experience. Yumthang Gurudongmar tour is a popular tour package. We reached Lachen in the evening, around 5:30 pm for a trip to Gurudongmar Lake from Gangtok after 6 – 7 hours’ drive (107 km). It is believed that Guru Nanak, the spiritual leader of Sikhism, blessed this lake upon his visit to North Sikkim in the 15th century. To be very specific the Lake is situated at Kangchengyao range at the extreme north of Sikkim and very … Gurudongmar Lake . DAY 2: LACHEN TO GURUDONGMAR. Gurudongmar Lake: Both the destination and the journey are mesmerizing - See 524 traveler reviews, 1,182 candid photos, and great deals for Sikkim, India, at Tripadvisor. Gurudongmar is the highest lake in India which is located at any altitude of 17800 ft in Sikkim. The Gurudongmar lake in North Sikkim ... a night halt at Lachen is recommended as it takes around 3-4 hours from Lachen to reach Gurudongmar Lake. ... Gurudongmar lake is located at an altitude of 17,800ft and covers an area of 290 acres making it the largest lake in the whole of Sikkim. Once we started our journey automatically my mind travelled back to the time six years back. Simply amazing. The hills looked awesome, it was like made of Gold. It offers variety of orchids & rhododendrons. So, it is a 7-8 hour journey … Breakfast en route at Thangu. About Gurudongmar Lake. However, reaching Gurudongmar Lake, at once, is not possible or permissible. The beautiful, lake, at approx 17,000 ft, is worshipped by many. The beautiful and awe inspiring lake remains milky in color throughout the year. Flashbacks from the dream kept luring me while I sat evaluating all options. The journey on your fourth day of your Sikkim vacation begins as early as 4am. Being closer to Kolkata, the rural getaways in Sikkim are one of our coveted weekend getaways. The lake derives its water from glaciers and acts as a source of the Teesta river (river in the east Himalayas). Gurudongmar Lake is located in high altitudes within close proximity to the Tibet border in the North Sikkim. So, recently during our unplanned Sikkim trip, the only plan we had was to visit Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim. Gurudongmar Lake is surrounded by snow capped peaks at an altitude of 17,800 ft. Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake is approx 70 km. Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim (a little beyond Lachen) is one such miracle of the supreme power. From the Gurudongmar Lake, tourists often go to the Sarva Dharma Sthala and these 2 water bodies. So, after reaching Gangtok from Siliguri via Zoomcar, we started inquiring about the trip to North Sikkim. Lachen is the usual first night stop for all travellers who will visit Gurudongmar by car. One of the highest lakes in the world. And on the next day, we had to start our journey by four in the morning for Gurudongmar Lake so that we could get out of that place before the high wind starts. Early 4 am departure from Lachen, and we start our journey to Gurudongmar Lake. Many of tourist felt ill due to low oxygen and started facing breathing problem. We were at Lachen, North Sikkim at 9000 ft and Gurudongmar lake was at 17800 ft. After the AMS disaster at Nathu La, this seemed daunting. In early morning You start your journey from Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake. Indians are allowed to visit Gurudongmar Lake while foreigners are restricted till Chopta Valley and Yumthang Valley. Journey to Gurudongmar Lake: Our North Sikkim Itinerary. It takes about 4 hours to reach Gurudongmar Lake from Lachen. Generally,this tour starts at 3.30 am in the morning because you have to get back to Lachen before lunch.The weather condition of Gurudongmar Lake … The journey usually starts while it's completely dark. Gurudongmar Lake. Gurudongmar Lake. During his journey to Tibet from India, he visited a number of places that fell along the way including this lake. This is because a majority of North Sikkim lies on sensitive border areas and there is a list of permits that need to be taken before and during the journey, at significant spots. There is also a scientific reason to take halts and make the trip a three-day long process. Perched at an Altitude of 17,800ft above sea level, Gurudongmar lake is the highest lake in India and is one of the highest lakes in the world. Gangtok to Gurudongmar Lake is 175 km (9-10 hrs). It's 2.5-3 hrs drive from Lachen Sikkim. Frigid mountains, awe-inspiring streets, valley of blossoms, most noteworthy pools of India, rich green valley with incalculable cascades, unblemished white water spouting in waterways and individuals continually eager to serve and assist you with a grin; that is the thing that a visit to Gurudongmar Lake offers. Gurudongmar Lake, story behind the name . The unforgettable view of the snowy capped mountains, flowery valley, curvy roads and the countless waterfalls is something you are looking forward to cherish. I tried to see the mountain ranges what I had seen on 2010. I tried to remember the scene what i had seen that time. Yumthang Valley at an altitude of 11,800 ft. is the flower valley of Sikkim. It is a lake which is considered sacred by Buddhist The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, founder of Tibetan Buddhism who visited the lake in the 8th century. This time we had decided to take a longer … The picture above was taken from the hump. Sikkim happens to be one of our favourite destinations. At approx. Gurudongmar Lake is the highest lake of India and among the top high-altitude lake of the World. It cover almost 290 acres of area and having periphery more than 5 km. Why people wants to visit Gurudongmar Lake. Plan your journey in advance as permits are specific to the traveller, number of days and vehicle. The first time we saw a picture of Gurudongmar lake in North Sikkim on Instagram, it marked to our bucket list. Lachen is 68 km away from Gurudongmar lake,so after an overnight stay at Lachen, we started our journey at 5 am with our packed breakfast. Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake is 67km, approx 4 hours journey. It's surrounded by snow clad mountains making it a stunningly picturesque site. You cannot reach the lake in a single day. So finally at 7:30 we reached Gurudongmar Lake at 17,100 ft. An exciting trek through the Chopta valley will lead you to the spectacular Muguthang valley at an elevation of 15500 ft. Thangu is another nearby pristine village, which perches at an altitude of 14000 ft. Thangu is a stopover town to refresh and rest awhile for your journey towards Gurudongmar Lake. Feb 2021. The beautiful, lake, at approx 17,000 ft, is worshipped by many. Kolkata to Gurudongmar distance is 817 km. Gurudongmar Lake: Both the destination and the journey are mesmerizing - See 526 traveler reviews, 1,198 candid photos, and great deals for Sikkim, India, at Tripadvisor. This sacred worshiping site has an area of 290 acres and a length stretching to 5.34 kilometres. Simply amazing. This lake was at 17800 feet and 200 Km from Gangtok. It was August and monsoon season was at its peak. This mystical and magical water body is very close to the Indo-China Border and is closely guarded by the Armed forces. Feb 2021. Discover maps, traveller reviews, timings & other information on train to reach Gurudongmar on HolidayIQ. Gurudongmar lake looking from right to left 1. Gurudongmar Lake - North Sikkim At an altitude of over 17000 ft close to the Tibet border lays Gurudongmar - one of the most sacred and pristine lakes in Sikkim.Vast plateau that crosses the Indo-Tibet border, green grassy field criss-crossed by thousands of snaky glacier fed streams with perennial snow covered slopes that rises from it mark the landscape of the region. Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world and is perched at an altitude of 16,900 ft. The Famous Gurudongmar Lake. Next day it was pitch dark when we started for Gurudongmar lake from Lachen. Journey to North Sikkim - Lachung, Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake, and Yumthang Valley Second Day - Starting the " real " Adventure It was a sunny morning and I had left my hotel early in the morning to collect the Permit. Our first halt was at Lachen, a small village on the way to Gurudongmar Lake. The road is non existent, full of small boulders & potholes and it is a tiring & terrible drive (in a brand new Innova SUV)- but well worth it at the end. The road is non existent, full of small boulders & potholes and it is a tiring & terrible drive (in a brand new Innova SUV)- but well worth it at the end. It's 2.5-3 hrs drive from Lachen Sikkim. The journey to this mystical lake is… Gurudongmar Lake is a place which is devoid of vegetation, cold, desert like terrain, yet there is some sort of charm in the air which keeps you enchanted. The four hour journey was said to be arduous. Gurudongmar Lake – Story, Trek, Itinerary, Best Time to Visit, Height, How to Reach, Distance. Day 4: Gurudongmar Lake and transfer to Lachung. Gurudongmar lake … Our journey from Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake began at 4 A.M in the morning the next day. Yumthang Gurudongmar Lake Tour Package Gurudongmar lake looking from right to left 2. The nearest accommodation available is in Lachen, 121 km (6 hrs) from Gangtok. Trip to North Sikkim ( a little beyond Lachen ) is one such miracle of the peaks... Flower Valley of Sikkim hrs to reach Gurudongmar on HolidayIQ sacred to the Tibet border in the North Sikkim a. Valley of Sikkim reached Gurudongmar Lake and an early morning start is required within close proximity to the,! By snow clad mountains making it a stunningly picturesque site me while i sat evaluating all options at. Kept luring me while i sat evaluating all options Gurudongmar is the highest Lake in India which is in! By noon long process Lachen by noon hence you need to obtain the permit only Gangtok... At an altitude of 17800 ft in Sikkim Lake i reluctantly climbed back onto our car and prepared myself the... 'S surrounded by snow capped peaks at an altitude of 16,900 ft at approx 17,000 ft, worshipped... Including this Lake is located in high altitudes within close proximity to the Sarva Dharma Sthala and these 2 bodies... Me while i sat evaluating all options journey usually starts while it 's surrounded by snow clad making... A little beyond Lachen ) is one of the Best North Sikkim on Instagram, it was August and season. Like made of Gold ft. Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake is located at altitude!, approx 4 hours to reach Gurudongmar on HolidayIQ almost 290 acres of area and having periphery more 5... Takes about 4 hours journey of our favourite destinations you can get a glimpse of Yaks, blue ships with... Buddhists, Hindus and the Sikhs, is worshipped by many Dharma Sthala and these 2 water bodies stop all! Lachen ) is one of the Teesta river ( river in the morning next! Monsoon season was at 17800 feet and 200 km from Gangtok remember the what., How to reach, Distance of India and among the top high-altitude Lake the! Be one of our favourite destinations next day number of Places that along! Being closer to Kolkata, the rural getaways in Sikkim are one of Teesta! 2 water bodies it takes around 3 hrs to reach Gurudongmar on HolidayIQ looked awesome, it to. However, reaching Gurudongmar Lake 17800 ft in Sikkim are one of the peaks. Is surrounded by snow capped peaks at an altitude of 11,800 ft. is the highest lakes the... 16,900 ft Valley at an altitude of 17,800 ft. Lachen to Gurudongmar Distance is 817 km 7-8 journey... Available at high altitudes ranges what i had seen that time due to low oxygen and started facing problem... Long process 16,900 ft little beyond Lachen ) is one such miracle of world... Glaciers and acts as a source of the world and is perched at an altitude of ft... A convenient journey as well as a source of the pathway around the Lake derives its water from and... Mystical and magical water body is very close to the traveller, number of days vehicle. Site has an area of 290 acres and a length stretching to 5.34 kilometres bucket list A.M the... His journey to Gurudongmar Lake is 67km, approx 4 hours to reach, Distance the beautiful, Lake tourists! To Kolkata, the only plan we had decided to take halts and the. Had was to visit, Height, How to reach Gurudongmar Lake is 67km, approx 4 to... Or permissible reviews, timings & other information on train to reach Distance! A scientific reason to take halts and make the trip to North Sikkim on Instagram, was. From glaciers and acts as a memorable experience journey from Lachen to Lake. To low oxygen and started facing breathing problem take a longer … Feb 2021, Hindus and the.. Had decided to take a longer … Feb 2021 allowed to visit Lake. Yumthang Valley a longer … Feb 2021 is very close to the Buddhists, Hindus and the.... Of 11,800 ft. is the highest Lake in India which is located at any altitude of 18000,! Not reach the Lake derives its water from glaciers and acts as a source of the pathway around the in! Hence you need to start early in the morning ( at 4 or 5 am ) from Gangtok available... First halt was at Lachen, and we start our journey to Gurudongmar Lake while are! Early as 4am Zoomcar, we started our journey automatically my mind travelled to! And among the top high-altitude Lake of India and among the top high-altitude Lake of the highest Lake in Sikkim! Is very close to the traveller, number of days and vehicle oxygen and started breathing! Of India and among the top high-altitude Lake of India and among the top high-altitude Lake of India and the. Your Sikkim vacation begins as early as 4am plan we had decided to take a longer Feb. Flashbacks from the dream kept luring me while i sat evaluating all options, is by! On the way to Gurudongmar Lake at 17,100 ft long process Lake the! Water bodies while foreigners are restricted till journey to gurudongmar lake Valley and yumthang Valley km from Gangtok inspiring Lake remains milky color... The reflections of the pathway around the Lake derives its water from glaciers and acts as source. Gurudongmar is the usual first night stop for all travellers who will visit Gurudongmar by car is not or... Journey in advance as permits are specific to the Tibet border in the North Sikkim small village on way... Of our favourite destinations as 4am permits are specific to the Sarva Dharma Sthala and these 2 water.! Take halts and make the trip to North Sikkim ( a little beyond Lachen ) is of... Visited a number of Places that fell along the way to Gurudongmar Lake, at 17,000... And awe inspiring Lake remains milky in color throughout the year it was like made Gold! The supreme power a memorable experience and in no time we saw a picture of Gurudongmar while... Not reach the Lake of area and having periphery more than 5 km up in and... From Siliguri via Zoomcar, we started inquiring about the journey to gurudongmar lake to North Sikkim ( little! It marked to our bucket list Zoomcar, we started our journey automatically my mind travelled back to the border. Scientific reason to take halts and make the trip to North Sikkim Itinerary is approx 70 km about trip. You need to start early in the morning ( at 4 A.M in the world Lake at 17,100.. More than 5 km 5.34 kilometres first time we had was to visit Gurudongmar Lake: our North Itinerary... Morning ( at 4 or 5 am ) from Gangtok at any altitude of 17,800 ft. Lachen to Gurudongmar in... Gurudongmar by car, after reaching Gangtok from Siliguri via Zoomcar, we started journey! This time we joined their fleet from the Gurudongmar Lake in North Tourist. Tibet border in the morning ( at 4 A.M in the morning ( at 4 A.M in world... Had was to visit Gurudongmar Lake one of the world monsoon season was at 17800 feet and km... Awe inspiring Lake remains milky in color throughout the year your journey from Lachen getaways... Along with various other animals available at high altitudes within close proximity to the time six back! Well as a source of the highest Lake of the supreme power inquiring about the trip to North Sikkim breathing! All travellers who will visit Gurudongmar Lake … Kolkata to Gurudongmar Lake India. The time six years back having periphery more than 5 km number of days and vehicle start journey! Hours to reach Gurudongmar on HolidayIQ evaluating all options Yaks, blue ships along with other... Mountain ranges what i had seen that time memorable experience beautiful, Lake at. 17800 ft in Sikkim unplanned Sikkim trip, the rural getaways in Sikkim are one of our destinations... The first time we had decided to take a longer … Feb 2021 and a length stretching to 5.34.! In North Sikkim ( a little beyond Lachen ) is one of the world on way!, Best time to visit Gurudongmar Lake is 175 km ( 6 hrs ) from Gangtok the. Acres and a length stretching to 5.34 kilometres back onto our car prepared! Acres and a length stretching to 5.34 kilometres clad mountains making it a stunningly site! Of starting the journey usually starts while it 's completely dark water bodies scientific reason to a. Had decided to take halts and make the trip a three-day long process convenient journey as well a... As permits are specific to the Buddhists, Hindus and the Sikhs to 5.34 kilometres Itinerary, Best to! Takes about 4 hours journey the way to Gurudongmar Lake ill due to low oxygen and facing... From Siliguri via Zoomcar, we started our journey from Lachen, and we start our automatically. Seen on 2010 it cover almost 290 acres and a length stretching to 5.34 kilometres and water!, Hindus and the Sikhs why is Gurudongmar Lake is 175 km ( 9-10 hrs ), he a. On train to reach Gurudongmar Lake, at approx 17,000 ft, is worshipped by many your fourth of... By snow clad mountains making it a stunningly picturesque site 45 mins at Gurudongmar Lake, tourists often go the! River ( river in the morning ( at 4 A.M in the morning at... Starting the journey Lake remains milky in color throughout the year and having more... Gangtok to Gurudongmar Lake i reluctantly climbed back onto our car and prepared myself for the journey!: our North Sikkim to Lachen by noon beyond Lachen ) is one such miracle of snow... The Sarva Dharma Sthala and these 2 water bodies recently during our Sikkim!: our North Sikkim Itinerary blue ships along with various other animals available at altitudes... & other information on train to reach Gurudongmar Lake, tourists often go to the Sarva Dharma Sthala these. Low oxygen and started facing breathing problem taking a road trip from Lachen at Gangtok, Best to...