Gurudongmar Lake - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The popular Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim is located 140 km north of Gangtok. Famous as the "Valley of flowers", this is a rare and exotic location with hot springs, rivers, yaks and lush green meadows. Situated at an elevation on 3564 metres, this stunning valley is a paradise for nature lovers as it houses the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which has over 24 species of Rhododendron flowers (the state flower) blooming from late February to mid-June.

Thangu, situated at an altitude of around 3900 m, is a beautiful village which is about two hours' drive from Lachen. It is a comfortable village where the tourists usually choose to relax before they proceed to trek to Gurugongmar Lake, Muguthang or Cho Lhamu Lake. In Thangu Valley, one can catch a glimpse of the rows of trees and as one goes more upwards, the beautiful view of Tibetan Plateau begins. For nature lovers, this quaint town is a perfect gateway.

Lachung is a town and hill station in northeast Sikkim, India. It is located in the North Sikkim district near the border with Tibet. The Indian Army has a forward base in the town.

Seven Sister is a popular waterfall located on the Gangtok- Lachung Highway, around 32 kilometres away from Gangtok. As the name suggests, the seven different waterfalls harmoniously arranged sideways on a wide rugged cliff seem distinct if watched from a distance. It becomes a must see place in Gangtok after rains, when the falls come into a fierce life offering an awe-inspiring view.

Phensang Monastery is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingmapa Order in Sikkim, India, 9 kilometres north of Gangtok. It was established in 1721 during the time of Jigme Pawo.

Phodong Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Sikkim, India. It is located 28 kilometres from Gangtok. It was built in the early 18th century but an older monastery had pre-existed the current one.