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The Chopta Valley is situated in the northern part of the state of Sikkim. It is located at an altitude of 13,500 ft above sea level and is known for its alpine forests. With greenery all around and rivers running through its different parts, the destination is one of the most naturally scenic places in the region. It is therefore not surprising that the place is one of the main tourist attractions of the state in spite of its relative inaccessibility.
The valley is sparsely populated and is mainly inhabited by the seasonal nomads who stay here during the summers and travel downhill during the freezing winters. The valley can be reached from either Lachen or Magan via Thangu which takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach.
Although the place remains hidden and unexplored, it is known for its amazing natural grandeur in the form of the trees and flowers that envelopes the valley and the orchids here are unique and beautiful.
The winter season is quite harsh here though the snowy beauty has its own charm. The rivers freeze during this time and one can walk over the iced rivers. There are two beautiful lakes in the valley called the Gurudongmar Lake and the Tso Lhamu Lake.
The Gurudongmar Lake is considered sacred both by the Hindus and Buddhists. Located near the Indo-China border, the lake is considered special because a portion of its water never freezes even in the peak of winter season when all the rivers freeze. The Tso Lhamu Lake is 9 kms from Gurudongmar Lake and is the source of the Teesta River.
Spring is the best time to visit Chopta Valley since the whole valley is covered with wild flowers making it colourful and scenic. Trekking is the best way to explore the valley and to enjoy the natural beauty of the place which remains fairly unexplored even now.
The trek from Chopta Valley to Muguthang Valley which lies in the Greater Himalayas at an altitude of 15,500 ft is one of the best in the region. It takes trekkers through amazing landscape with snow-covered mountain peaks on one side, lush green pine forests all around, clear waters of the meandering rivers, and wild flowers further enhancing the natural opulence.
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Chopta-Valley is itself one of the most popular sightseeing attractions of North-Sikkim; however, it also comprises a few of its own attractions. These include valleys and lakes like Thangu Valley, Muguthang Valley, Gurudongmar Lake and Tso Lhamu Lake.
The Thangu Valley is situated at a distance of 30 km from the town of Lachen and mostly known for its Alpine Meadows. Its annual Yak race is also quite popular amongst the tourists. Muguthang Valley forms the end part of the trek route from Chopta Valley, located in its east. It has an altitude of 15500 ft and is criss-crossed by a number of snow fed streams and mountains.
The Gurudongmar Lake is situated at an altitude of 17,100 ft, near the Indo-Chinese Border and is religiously popular amongst Hindus as well as Buddhists. It also has a special feature where some of its parts remain unfrozen even during peak winders. The Tso Lhamu Lake is situated near the plateaus that venture into Sikkim and forms the groundwork of River Teesta.
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