Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake.This is one journey which you will never forget. Journey from Lachen starts early at 5 am. Its mostly dark at that time. As you start climbing, the sun rays hit the snow peaks creating spectacular mountains of gold.
The only halt is at Thangu at 13000 ft where a single restaurant will serve you tea, bread butter the bread has to be carried by the travellers and maggi. You get to sit around the earthen furnace. Socks made from Yak wool and rubber boots are available on sale/rent.
The journey ahead is into the land of frozen rivers and chilled waterfalls. After about 16000 ft till Gurudongmar is mostly flat land with mountains on all sides. Its a high altitude desert, hardly any vegetation and very stony and dusty. You have to make your own roads here and its very easy to get lost. Because it is a plateau, it is very cold as chilled winds come down the frozen mountain slopes. Don't exert much as you would be gasping for breath at this altitude.
Gurudongmar lake at 17100 ft is mind blowing. In winters, the entire lake is frozen except one corner which is considered to be very sacred. Army jawans are always there to offer help. One should not miss Gurudongmar Lake in the north Sikkim tour.
The Yumthang Valley beyond Lachung is the major tourist attraction in the region. The colourful rhododendron bloom May-June, soaring snow-capped peaks, and herds of wandering yaks makes this an idyllic location. The valley has a thermal spring, although the water can get quite dirty.The Lachung Gompa is the region's largest Buddhist shrine, located on the hillside across from Lachung.
Yumesamdong, Zero point from Yumthang Valley.
