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Lachen (Sikkim)
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Hotels & Resorts in lachen |
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Lachen is beautiful
scenic mountain village in the Northern parts of Sikkim, in India. It is a
home to the Lachenpas, a unique Sikkimese Bhutia community. Lachen, which
literally means [Big Pass], clings to grassy mountain slopes in a
magnificent natural setting against a backdrop
 of
imposing snow capped peaks, glaciers and rock cliffs. The
village is in a beautiful and picturesque valley amidst mixed conifer and
Rhododendron forests. Located just about 120 km from Gangtok,
Lachen is located at an altitude of 8838
ft. Nearby villages of Rabom, Chaten, Talem, Yakthang, Kalep, Samdong
and Thangu form a larger part of Lachen. The Highest mountain peaks of Mt.
Khangchendzonga and Mt. Sinolchu can be seen from Lachen. Thus Lachen
is your doorstep to these highest mountain peaks.
The Valley region is all painted with flowers during the monsoon season.
Here wonders never come to an end in Lachen, An afterglow, in autumn,
followed by snowfall in winter.
 Thus
Lachen is known for its flora, fauna and for its vibrant local culture.
For those, who have not traveled yet to Sikkim, it would be pleasant
surprise to know that Lachen has been made accessible to the tourists just a
few years back. Situated at an altitude of 8,838 ft, Lachen lies on
the North Sikkim Highway.
Nature has numerous beautiful aspects and one of these facets comes alive at
Lachen. This small hamlet rests on a verdant plain land that is
segregated by cavernous ravines of Lachen. The multi-hued mountains,
along with snowy peaks and black cliffs, appear to rise from Lachen. Lachen
is inhabited by very less number of people. However, there are basic
arrangements to make the accommodation for the tourists comfortable.
General Information:
Lachen also has its own monastery that serves to the religious desires of
the dwellers. A trek route to the Green Lake and Kunchenjunga National Park
starts from Lachen. Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake are also accessible
from Lachen by trek. The tourists can visit both Chopta Valley and
Green Lake, but foreigners are not allowed to visit Gurudongmar Lake. To put
succinctly, Lachen is certainly a place worth visiting in North Sikkim.
At Chungthang where the route dissects, one curls up to Lachung, while the
other mounts up to Lachen Village. Lachen is situated at an altitude of
2750m on the road leading to famous Gurudongmar Lake. the distance is 125 km
from Gangtok. The settlement of Bhutia tribe in this area dates back
to the 16th century. Village still practice Dzumsa syste, a similar
system to modern Panchayats in India.
At Chungthang where the route dissects, one curls up to Lachung, while the
other mounts up to Lachen Village. Lachen is situated at an altitude of
2750m on the road leading to famous Gurudongmar Lake. the distance is 125 km
from Gangtok. The settlement of Bhutia tribe in this area dates back
to the 16th century. Village still practice Dzumsa syste, a similar
system to modern Panchayats in India. |
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Festivals of Lachen -
Chaam, Lossong,Saga Dawa, Lhabab Dhuchen, Drukpa Tse-shi, Drukpa, Phang
Lhabsol are some of the festivals of Lachen. |
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Places of
Interest:
Along the Tibetan Plateau to Gurudongmar, are the biggest lakes in
Sikkim and Tsho Lhamu the source of life line river Tista which is a day
tour from Lachen.
Guru Dongmar lake: Situated at a height
of 17,100 feet on the Tibetan plateau, it truly is a pearl in the desert. It
is the largest lake in Sikkim and a very holy one for the Sikkimese and
Buddhists alike. No visit to North Sikkim shall be complete without visiting
Gurudongmar Lake The lake is supposed to have many healing powers and it is
also believed that the lake shows the future of person if he is pure and
sincere.
 You can also
stay over night at Thangu and enjoy a visit to Chopta Valley which offers
the wonders of river meandering and its here where you can actually walk
over the frozen river during winter. It is the summer residence of the
nomadic Lachenpas , till a few years back the entire village would migrate
from Lachen to Thangu during the summer months but now due to a more settled
life few herders come to Thangu. Located 30 kms. from Lachen at an altitude
of 13,000 feet the valley completely opens out over here to lush green
meadows conducive to cattle food. During summer and monsoon the entire place
is dotted with flowers of all kinds giving the appearance of a gigantic
flower basket; quite a few varieties of rhododendrons, primulas and wild
flowers can be observed from May to September. It also serves as a base camp
for trekkers to Muguthang and Lashar valley.
Chopta valley: Wonders never cease in
North Sikkim with each turn, each valley, each rivulet trying to out do
theother in the scenic beauty that it offers. Few places come close to
virgin of appeal of Chopta Valley ( 13,200 ft ). Just a 10 minutes drive
from Thangu, this valley provides one of the few accessible places in Sikkim
where a visitor can actually walk over the frozen river. The riot of colors
during spring belie this aspect, though.
As the spring starts the whole valley becomes carpeted with beautiful alpine
flowers which gives flowers from early April and beautifies the valley up to
July, and then the Sky opens up for beauty landscape, you will find yourself
lost in the hills of snow capped mountain and finally the valley gets
replaced by snow from December and remains covered upto late March
Deothang: This beautiful valley situated between Kalep village, near
Thangu is a two hour walk from Kalep. On top of the mountain there are two
caves which have been used by monks for meditation purpose since centuries.
The first Rinpochi, Lachen Gumchen Rinpochi [Nawang Kunzang Yosher] stayed
in the upper cave and meditated for 13 years. Just below this cave there is
another cave where the famous French explorer and spiritualist Alexandra
David-Neel meditated under the guidance of Gumchen Aphur Yogden, from 1914
to 1916.
Location: North Sikkim District
Attraction: Natural beauty
How to reach: One can easily reach
Lachen by taking regular buses, jeeps or by hiring taxis from Mangan |
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