Lachen is a town in Mangan District in the Indian state of Sikkim. The name Lachen means "big pass". The Sikkimese government promotes it as a tourist destination. The town forms the base to the Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake.

. Lachen is the sister village of Lachung in North Sikkim and is the base for tours to Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley. Situated at an altitude of 8838 ft, the small town is a good 6 to 8-hour drive from Gangtok (depending on road conditions) along the North Sikkim highway.

Lachen stands on a grassy and bushy flat land separated by deep gorges of river Lachen-Chu from where rises the pine-clad mountains with their snowy peaks and black cliffs. The village comprises nearly 250 houses, earlier inhabited only in winter by the owners who spend the summers on the alpine pastures along the Tibet border tending to their herd of yaks.

Today most of Lachen is converted into hotels and resorts. Both sides of the single road passing through the town are dotted with hotels of different sizes and budgets.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Lachen in Sikkim is from October to June. During these months, the weather is generally clear and the temperature ranges from cool to moderately warm, making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring the natural beauty of the region. The autumn months of October and November offer clear skies and the rejuvenated flora after the monsoon, which render the landscapes exceptionally verdant and picturesque. The view of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks is often unobstructed during this period, providing excellent opportunities for photography.

Weather & Climate

Summers in Lachen begin in the month of March and last till June. The weather is not very hot with temperature hovering between 10°c - 28°c. The monsoon season sets in the month of July and ends till September. Weather of this season is not apt for a visit to Lachen, as heavy rainfall is witnessed by the entire village. Winters in Lachen start in the month of October and end by February. The temperature at this time hovers between 5°c - 15°c. In this season weather becomes a lot chilly, yet it is an amazing time to witness some of the most enchanting views of the snow-clad Himalayas. Not missing out the famous Gurdongmar Lake that freezes at this time and is a sight to behold.

How To Reach

It is around 107 kilometres from Gangtok and takes 4-5 hours to get there. The most convenient and only method to get to Lachen is to fly to Gangtok and then drive down to the village. The good news is that a new airport, Pakyong Airport, has opened in the Sikkim town of Pakyong (around 35 km from Gangtok).

Send Enquiry

Why Choose us?

What makes us diffrent from other tour package companies