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Does Magellan Group of Hotels offer tour packages?

Yes, Magellan Group offers custom travel packages covering Sikkim and Darjeeling, including hotel stays, sightseeing, and local travel experiences.

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Lachen Travel Guide | Magellan Group of Hotels

Curated Himalayan Stays Gangtok · Lachung · Lachen · Darjeeling · Pelling

+91 97332 18500 [email protected] Guest Portal

About Lachen

The last village, base camp for Gurudongmar.

At 2,750 metres, Lachen is the northernmost settlement travellers can stay in — a quiet Bhutia village of timber homes and pine forest, run to this day by its own traditional Dzumsa council. Its name means "big pass," and it has always been exactly that: the final stop before the road climbs to the high, thin air of Gurudongmar.

This is a place built around one great journey. From Lachen, the pre-dawn drive threads through Thangu and Chopta before arriving at Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes on earth. It is a village to arrive at tired, sleep early, and leave before sunrise — with the whole of North Sikkim's wilderness opening up ahead.

Gurudongmar Lake Chopta Valley Thangu Valley Lachen Monastery Dzumsa Village

Lachen Travel Guide

The practical detail — when to come, how to get here, and what to carry.

Best Time to Visit

April–June and October–mid-December, when the road to Gurudongmar is most reliably open. The July–September monsoon and deep winter often close the higher stretches.

How to Reach

Nearest airport: Pakyong (PYG), about 145 km. Nearest railhead: New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 230 km. Reached only by road via Gangtok and Mangan — around 6–7 hours.

Getting Around

Travel is by registered local jeep only. The Gurudongmar run starts before dawn; the higher road beyond Thangu requires a local vehicle and driver.

Permits

Lachen sits in a Protected Area near the Tibet border. An Inner Line Permit (Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals) is required and arranged through a registered operator.

Altitude & Climate

2,750 m in the village, rising to over 5,400 m at Gurudongmar. Cold most of the year, sub-zero at the lake even in summer. Acclimatise for a night before going high.