Lachen

Lachen, at an altitude of around 2750 meters, is a hill station located in the northern part of the north–eastern state of Sikkim near the Indo-Tibetan Border, on the North Sikkim Highway. Lachen is a less-crowded scenic holiday retreat, known also as the gateway to the sacred Guru Dongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes.

Lachen is a small village inhabited by Bhutia tribes and Tibetans and it consists of only about 150 houses.  The name Lachen means ‘the Big Pass’ in Bhutia language. Lachen, situated on a rough flat land, is scattered by the deep gorges of Lachen Chu, distanced from the mainland.

The most prevailing religion in Lachen is the Nyingma order of Himalayan Buddhism.  Lachen Monastery, built in 1806, is situated atop the village providing clear views of the village, Lachen Chu and the alpine peaks. The people of Lachen (Lachenpas), who are of Bhutanese origin, have a unique legal system called Dzamsa where Pipon, the Village Head, takes decisions on all village affairs.   

Lachen, which belonged to the erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom, remained undiscovered for many years. In the first half of the 20th century it was visited by foreign trekkers who were on exploring expeditions in the Eastern Himalayas. Later the area was restricted to foreign as well as domestic travellers due to the deterioration of Indo-Chinese relations.

Though the restriction to enter was removed for many destinations in Sikkim by 1990, Lachen was opened to tourists only on 20th December, 2000. Compared to its sister village, Lachung, Lachen is less popular among holiday makers.

Lachen is noted for its lush vegetation that consists of grasslands and shrubs.  Apple orchards, introduced to Lachen by the Finnish missionaries in the latter half of the 19th century, also attract the attention of visitors. The pine covered valleys and black cliffs of snowy-white peaks of the Eastern Himalayas start from Lachen which makes it the base station for many trekking destinations in the North Sikkim region including the famous Green Lake and Kunchenjunga National Park treks.

March - June and September - December are the most suitable times to visit Lachen. Lachen can be reached from the capital city of Gangtok, situated about 125 km away, by a 6 hours’ drive.

Lachen offers excursions to Chopta Valley, Green Lake, Cho-lamu, Guru Dongmar Lake and Singhba Rhododendron Sanctuary. Chopta Valley, Green Lake and Singhba Rhododendron Sanctuary are open to all but Guru Dongmar Lake and Tso Lhamu, the source of River Teesta, can only be visited by Indian citizens.