Chopta Valley Sikkim

Located at an altitude of 13200ft on the Chandrashile (moon rock) of the North-East Sikkim is an isolated place that seems to be the alluring abode of God called Chopta Valley. The relatively unexplored and untouched Valley in northeast Sikkim is very popular among trekkers as well as people of several faiths for housing some of the sacred monuments of Sikkim. Located on the way to Gurudongmar Lake, it is also known as the valley of flowers offering the tourist the visual treat of meandering rivers stream through the mountainous valley of alpine forest on one side and a panoramic vista of snow-covered mountain peaks on the other making Chopta Ghati a must-visit tourist destination of North Sikkim.

Attractions of Sikkim Chopta Valley

Located 17km from Lachen, the starting point for some of the most interesting treks in North Sikkim as well as the gateway to the holy Gurudongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes, Chopta Valley is the summer residence of the Lachenpas. The northern district of Sikkim is known for the Himalayan flora amidst the rugged terrain and glacial lakes. The Valley has ensnared the heart of many tourists traveling to the Northern Region of Sikkim as it offers the last patch of green vegetation before the landscape changes into the cold deserted rugged terrain.

The journey towards Chopta Valley is an unforgettable experience which is filled with the scenic view of the changing landscape and vegetation on a spiraling unpaved road. During the spring season when the weather remains pleasant Chopta Valley is covered with the numerous exquisite Himalayan flowers and rhododendron which glazes the Chopta Ghati with different shades of red. But during winter the land of Chopta Valley which once was concealed beneath the vibrant color riot of the blooming flowers and rhododendron hides under the thick blanket of snow turning Chopta Valley into a winter wonderland. The unique location of the Valley amidst the mountainous gorge is dotted with the trekking through the alpine forest of conifer and pine trees attracting trekkers and adventurers from around the globe.

Feast your eyes with the panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains of might Himalayas while inflating with the fresh mountain air, far from the maddening crowd and hassle of daily life Chopta valley of the Northeast region of Sikkim has become the sojourn for the tourist who wants to engulf their senses with the surreal Himalayan beauty. Trek towards one of the highest altitude lakes or enjoy the panoramic vista of the snow-capped mountains from Chopta Valley.

Nearby Attractions

Near Chopta Valley in Sikkim, there are several other attractions travelers can explore, such as:

Lachen Monastery

Lachen is quite adjacent to the valley. It is a secluded town full of lush greenery, intense natural beauty and the splendid view of the snow-clad Himalayan range. Ngodrub Choling Gonpa, vastly known as the Lachen monastery established at 1858, is the major attraction here. Lachen Monastery exhibits a splendid view of Tibetan architecture and the paintings depicted on the walls of the monastery.

Gurudongmar Lake

The famous trekking trail from Chopta Valley is towards Gurudongmar Lake, a sacred glacial lake which was blessed by the Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche, founder of Tibetan Buddhism and after being blessed a certain portion of the lake never freezes even in the extreme cold weather. The pictorial view and trekking trails towards the most scenically blessed place have made Chopta valley a must-visit tourist destination for the nature lover and adventurer traveling to Sikkim.

Tso Lhamo Lake

One of the highest lakes in the world, Tso Lhamo Lake is a major tourist site near the valley. The water body is merely a 5 km distance away and has an average elevation of 6,065 meters above sea level. The lake nestled amidst the mountains is all about offering a serene atmosphere and the unearthly view of the snow-peaked Himalayan range. Capturing some stunning photos and selfies here is a must for travelers who want to preserve the memory in photographic form.

Thangu Valley

Not more than 30 km driving distance away from North of Lachen, Thangu Valley is a pictorial site visitors will like to visit. It is situated at an elevation of 13000 feet. Covered with lush green meadows and surrounded by daunting hills, Thangu Valley is a paradise on Earth and is far from the hugely populated urbanized world. The wooden houses and the calm Teesta River flowing through the valley offers a soothing visual treat to witness.

How to Reach Chopta Valley Sikkim

In order to reach Chopta Valley comfortably, it is recommended to spend a night at Lachen first and then in the morning start the journey towards this valley.

By Train: The nearest railway station to this valley is Darjeeling Railway Station which is at a distance of 171 km from Lachen. The railway station is well connected with most of its nearby destinations such as Siliguri, Sonada, Ghum, and more. NJP is another major railway station nearby at a distance of around 195 km from Lachen.

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the only fully operational airport nearby. At a distance of more than 200 km from Lachen, several flights are available from many other major airports of Bengal. From the airport, it is approximately 5 hours' drive to reach the valley.

By Road: Taxis hired from Siliguri or any nearby destinations of Sikkim can help the travelers reach the valley quite conveniently. Its adjacent destination Lachen is connected with Sikkim State Road Transport Corporation to all the major cities in Sikkim.

Things to Do in the Valley

The Chopta Valley in Sikkim offers its visitors to indulge themselves in several outdoor activities. The major ones they can enjoy are as mentioned below:

Trek to Gurudongmar Lake

It is one of the mostly sought outdoor activities in the Himalayan terrain. From the trekking routes of the valley, travelers can trek towards Gurudongmar Lake, one of the most popular and highly situated lakes in the entire Sikkim.

Visit Tso Lhamu Lake

After enjoying the scenic view of Gurudongmar Lake, travelers can also have a short trip to Tso Lhamu Lake. It is another glacial lake fed by the waters of Zemu glacier, Kangtse glacier or Pauhunri glacier. Enjoy the view of the glittering water and click some stunning photos while standing in front of the lake. Enjoy the calm and composed atmosphere that helps in rejuvenating the distressed soul.

Excursion to Thangu Valley

A short excursion to another magnificent valley namely Thangu can be enjoyed. Just a couple of hours' drive will take the travelers to this heavenly abode where nature becomes the only companion of the visitors. The wooden houses, the alpine vegetation and the lush green meadows covering the entire valley, get acclamation of the travelers every time they visit here. Travelers can stroll around the village, begin communicating with the local nomadic tribes or try their hands on photography.

Accommodation Options

There is no staying option available in the valley. As a result, most of the travelers prefer to spend a night at Lachen and explore Chopta Valley in the following day. Homestay accommodation is also there at Thangu but in order to stay there, travelers have to obtain a permit first. In this scenario, homestay in Lachen is the best option for an overnight stay prior to exploring this scenic valley.

Best Time to Visit Chopta valley

The beauty of Chopta Valley never ceases to amaze its visitors, be it in the summer season April to May when the valley comes alive after being covered with different flora of the Himalayan region or during the winter season mid-October to December when they can feast their eyes with the outstanding vista of snow-peaked mountains of Himalayan range from Chopta Valley. It is best to avoid traveling during the monsoon season from mid-June to mid-September since the road of the hilly region becomes more prone to landslide after heavy rainfall.