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Kishong Lake treK in Sikkim

Kishong Lake treK

Moderate ⏱ 5-8 Days 📍 Dzongu, Sikkim

About

Kishong Lake takes you into the most untouched corner of North Sikkim, deep inside the Dzongu region, where yaks graze beneath the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Kanchenjunga range. The trail winds through forests, alpine meadows, and sacred landscapes revered by the Lepcha tribe before opening up to a high-altitude glacial lake that sits at 4500m and is considered one of the holiest of Sikkim's 200-plus lakes, believed by the Lepcha people to mark the way to heaven and the origin of their own.

What makes it special:

  • One of the greenest, least explored trails in the North East Himalayas, untouched by mainstream tourism
  • The ancient Tholung Monastery, built in the 18th century and still standing tall at 2400m, is a quiet detour worth the climb, Bikat Adventures
  • Sweeping views of Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Siniolchu across the entire route OurGuest

This is a moderate trek on trails that aren't always well maintained thanks to its offbeat location, which is exactly what makes it feel like virgin territory. Kishong Lake is for trekkers who want Sikkim before the crowds found it.

Getting There

Kishong Lake trek begins from Dzongu, around 120 km from Gangtok in North Sikkim. The nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal, about 124 km from Gangtok, while the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), roughly 148 km away. From Gangtok, the route runs via Mangan and Sangkalang into Upper Dzongu, a drive of around four hours, before the trek itself begins at Bey village.

Network connectivity gets patchy past Bey village, so it's worth informing family in advance. Since the trek runs through restricted North Sikkim, special permits are required and need to be arranged ahead of time. The best windows for this trek are April to June and September to November, outside of which the high passes get tricky. Budget an extra buffer day on either end; the road journey alone is long, and you'll want to be rested for it, not rushed through.

FAQs

Why is Kishong Lake considered sacred? +
For the Lepcha tribe, this lake isn't just scenery; it's spiritual. They believe this high-altitude lake marks the way to heaven and is also where their people originated.
How difficult is the Kishong Lake trek? +
Don't underestimate this one. It's strenuous and challenging, with steep climbs and basic trails since it's far less frequented than Sikkim's popular routes like Goechala. Solid trekking experience and fitness are a must before you sign up.
When's the best time to trek to Kishong Lake? +
Plan around the shoulder seasons. April through June works before the monsoon hits, and September through November is ideal once it clears.
Where is Kishong Lake located? +
Kishong Lake sits in the remote Dzongu region of North Sikkim, inside the core zone of Khangchendzonga National Park. The trek starts from Bey village and winds through Lepcha tribal land all the way up.
How high is Kishong Lake? +
It sits at around 14,800 feet (about 4,500 m), making it one of the higher glacial lakes tucked away in North Sikkim's wilderness.