Thangu Valley in North Sikkim

Thangu, at an elevation of 3962 meters above sea level, is a small village in North Sikkim and located on the way to Gurudongmar Lake. A hamlet with quite a few wooden and stone houses, the hamlet is one of the prominent tourist destinations also acts as a sojourn for the tourists passing by. Stays mostly covered with snow, due to its high elevation, it is truly a heavenly abode you must visit.

Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, the houses in this village are small and comfortable to stay. Through this picturesque valley, the four shimmering rivers flow such as Teesta, Chopta, Thangu, and Lasser. Dotted with alpine meadows and army camps, the valley is mostly inhabited by nomadic tribes. The following are the major attractions in and around Thangu Valley.

Sightseeing Places around Thangu Valley

Apart from visiting Thangu, you can plan to visit other places too. The following are the popular places to visit near the valley.

Gurudongmar Lake

At an elevation of 5,430 meters above sea level, Gurudongmar is one of the bewitching lakes in Sikkim. Surrounded by daunting hills all around, Gurudongmar Lake offers a scenic and splendid beauty of nature travelers all around the globe cannot deny at all. The yak ride surrounding the lake is also a fun activity to try.

Lachen Monastery

Not more than 35 km from Thangu, Lachen is another destination to visit. The place is the serene one sited amidst the forest of pine. The century-old Lachen Monastery is the prime attraction here. Built dating back to 1858 A.D, it is one of the oldest monasteries. Nestled at a scenic location overlooking the village, this is the most important site you must visit in Lachen.

Tso Lhamo Lake

Enclosed by the snow-clad mountains and located at a magnificent height of 6,065 meters above sea level, Tso Lhamo Lake is one of the highest lakes in the entire world. It is also one of the major sources of the river Teesta too. The pleasing view of the deep blue water of the lake and the captivating environment offers joy and peace to the soul of the travelers.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

A nature park very close to Thangu Valley, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a pictorial site mostly known for forty species of rhododendron trees. Stretching over 43 sq. km, the nature park is also covered with other species of trees and plants such as primulas, potentillas, poppies, saxifrages, gentians, and aconites, etc. You can also spot numerous birds including Wood Snipe, Hoary-throated barwing, and more.

Activities to Do around Thangu Valley

The following are the activities one can do besides just visiting Thangu Valley:

Go for Trekking

Thangu Valley is connected with several trekking routes. You can trek to many beautiful valleys and lakes of Lachen. Trekking through these narrow routes will be a challenging one but you will truly get rewarded with the beauty of numerous wildflowers and rhododendrons.

Birding and Wildlife Sighting

One of the best activities to do around Thangu Valley is to go for birding and wildlife sighting. The forested area is full of wildlife. Kanchenjunga National Park with its diverse and rare species of animals is a promising forest to visit. Here you will get to see Himalayan Bears, Wild Yaks, Musk Deer, and Red Panda, etc, and birds like Maroon-backed and Rufous-breasted Accentors, Green-tailed Sunbirds, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatchers, Blue-fronted Redstarts, Brownish-flanked Bush Warblers, Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivets, etc.

Visit the Lakes

The major highlights of Sikkim's tourism are its lakes that are surprisingly beautiful. There are some popular lakes near Thangu Valley such as Gurudongmar Lake, Green Lake, Tso Lhamo Lake, and more.

Accommodation Options

Only some basic accommodations are available to stay at Thangu. However, you have to seek permission from the army to stay in these homestays. Even if you get permission, it will not be easy to stay due to the high elevation. In short, spending nights in the homestay in Thangu is not an ideal option at all.

Best Time to Visit Thangu Valley

March to June is considered to be the best time to visit Thangu Valley due to the pleasant weather. The blue clear sky will let you witness the jaw dropping vista of the Himalayan range. The Himalayan flowers also keep blooming during these months.