EscapeBuddy
List Your Adventure →
Lashar Valley Trek in Sikkim

Lashar Valley Trek

Moderate ⏱ 6 - 9 Days 📍 Thangu, Sikkim

About

The Lashar Valley Trek via Gurudongmar takes you into one of North Sikkim's best-kept secrets, a valley the locals call Zachu, tucked away near the Tibetan border at nearly 15,000 ft. While most travellers stop at Gurudongmar Lake, this trek pushes further, off the road and on foot, into a wide open valley ringed by snow peaks and grazed by yak herds.

What makes it special:

  • A rare, high-altitude oxbow lake, Sikkim's only one, carved by the Teesta as it curves through the valley
  • Home to the Dokpa tribe, nomadic yak herdsmen whose families have lived here for generations
  • Timed right, you can catch the Drukpa Tseshi festival, where Dokpas race yaks across the valley floor in one of Sikkim's wildest local spectacles

A short detour to the meditation caves once used by Alexandra David-Neel, the French explorer who helped bring Tibetan Buddhism to the West. An optional day hike to Yule Khangtse glacier for those who want more trail time. Untouched, offbeat, and still largely free of the crowds that flock to nearby Gurudongmar Lake.

Getting There

The journey begins in Gangtok, followed by a scenic 5-6 hour drive via Mangan and Chungthang to Lachen, tracing the Teesta River through the Himalayan foothills. From Lachen, the road climbs to Thangu (13,000 ft), the last civilian settlement, where an acclimatisation halt is recommended before continuing to the trek's starting point. A further 3-hour hike leads over a ridgeline and down into the Lashar Valley.

As the route lies in a restricted zone near the Indo-Tibet border, an Inner Line Permit (for Indians) or Protected Area Permit (for foreigners), along with army checkpost clearances, is mandatory. Carry a valid photo ID at all times. The nearest airport is Bagdogra (or Pakyong, weather permitting), and the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both connected to Gangtok by road.

FAQs

Do you need special permits for the Lashar Valley trek? +
Yes. Lashar Valley sits close to the Sikkim-Tibet border, so it falls under a restricted zone. You'll need a Protected Area Permit along with army clearance, arranged through a registered local operator. Solo travel here isn't allowed.
What's the best time to trek to Lashar Valley? +
July and August are the sweet spot, mainly because that's when the Drukpa Tsechi festival and the famous yak race take place. The valley opens up with wildflowers, and the Dokpa herders arrive with their yaks, making it the liveliest time to visit.
How tough is the Lashar Valley trek? +
It's a high-altitude trek, not a casual walk. Expect 3 to 5 hours of steady climbing from Thangu to a ridge at around 4,650 meters before descending into the valley. Fitness and prior acclimatisation matter more than technical skill here.
Where do you stay during the trek? +
There are no hotels or lodges in Lashar Valley itself. You camp out in tents once you reach the valley, right alongside the Dokpa community's homes. It's basic, remote, and part of the whole experience.
Is Lashar Valley crowded with tourists? +
Not at all. It stays off the regular Sikkim tourist circuit since most travellers stop at Gurudongmar Lake, which the roads actually reach. Lashar Valley is deliberately kept low-key, accessible only on foot, which is exactly what keeps it untouched.