Gurudongmar is one of the highest lakes in the world and one of the highest in India, lying above 5,100 m in a high plateau area of North Sikkim close to the border with Tibet.
Source: Gurudongmar Lake
Lake in Sikkim
Gurudongmar Lake
A sacred lake above 5,100 m near the Tibetan plateau
Gurudongmar is a high-altitude lake in North Sikkim at over 5,100 m, about 65 km beyond Lachen, close to the Tibetan plateau. It is sacred to Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus. Indian nationals visit on a permit tour, leaving Lachen around 4 am. Altitude is the main challenge; road access has been disrupted since 2023.
Photo: Original: Yoghya Derivative work: UnpetitproleX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsPast Thangu, the road from Lachen leaves the last trees behind and climbs onto a wide, bare plateau of gravel and short grass, with snow peaks along the horizon. This is the edge of the Tibetan plateau, cold and dry even when the valleys below are in rain. At the end of the road lies Gurudongmar, a long lake of deep blue water under the slopes of Gurudongmar peak.
The lake is named for Guru Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have blessed it so that part of it stays unfrozen through winter and its water could be drunk. It is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus, and there are shrines near the shore. Many visitors carry back a bottle of its water.
Everything here is shaped by altitude. You drive from Lachen at 2,750 m to over 5,100 m in about three to four hours, which is a very fast gain. Visits are short, the wind is fierce, and the army manages the area. Only Indian nationals have been permitted, and the road has been closed for long periods since the 2023 floods.
Say it like a local · TibetanGuru Rinpoche
precious teacher, the name used in Sikkim for Padmasambhava
What to do in Gurudongmar Lake
The lake at sunrise
Arriving by 8 am, you see the lake at its clearest, with Gurudongmar peak and the surrounding snow slopes reflected in still water. By late morning the wind picks up and cloud often builds.
A shrine for three faiths
The lake is sacred to Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus, linked by tradition to Guru Rinpoche. Prayer flags and shrines stand by the shore, and pilgrims make offerings and carry the water home.
The drive across the plateau
The last stretch beyond Thangu crosses open, high-altitude country with grazing yaks and wide views of the peaks along the border. It feels closer to Tibet than to the forests of Sikkim.
Thangu breakfast stop
Tours stop at Thangu at about 3,900 m for breakfast on the way up, giving you a chance to adjust a little and warm up with tea.
Gurudongmar in the autumn
In October and November, the sky is deep blue and the lake still partly open, before the deepest winter freeze sets in. It is the clearest time to visit.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Gurudongmar Lake
Local tradition holds that Guru Padmasambhava blessed the lake so that part of its surface stays unfrozen in winter, giving water to people and animals of the plateau.
Source: Gurudongmar Lake
Lakes and glaciers of this plateau feed the headwaters of the Teesta, which flows south through the whole length of Sikkim.
Source: Teesta River
Experiences
Three days worth having in Gurudongmar Lake
Photo: Original: Yoghya Derivative work: UnpetitproleX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Gurudongmar Lake · 8–10 hours return
The pre-dawn drive to Gurudongmar
Leave Lachen in the dark at about 4 am, watch the light come up over Thangu, then cross the bare high plateau to the la…
Included in North Sikkim tour
Photo: Jeetpswiki · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Gurudongmar Lake · 45 minutes
Prayer flags and offerings at the lake shore
Stand at the shrines by the lake where Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims leave offerings and carry home water. Learn th…
Free; part of the tour
Photo: Original: Yoghya Derivative work: UnpetitproleX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Gurudongmar Lake · Over 2–3 days
Preparing for 5,000 m the right way
Gurudongmar is not a casual outing. Plan the days before it so your body has time to adjust: a night in Gangtok, a nigh…
Free; oxygen canister ₹500–1,000
Real prices
What things cost in Gurudongmar Lake
ItemIndicative 2026
Seat in a shared 3-day North Sikkim tour incl. Gurudongmar₹5,000–8,000
Private vehicle, 3-day Lachen, Gurudongmar and Lachung₹16,000–25,000 per vehicle
Breakfast at Thangu₹100–250
Thermal, boots and coat rental₹100–300
Oxygen canister, bought in Gangtok₹500–1,000
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Gurudongmar Lake
Road
Gurudongmar is about 65 km beyond Lachen via Thangu, 3–4 hours on a rough mountain road. Tours leave Lachen at about 4 am and return by early afternoon. Roads to Lachen have suffered major damage since October 2023; check current status before you travel.
Permit tour
Only Indian nationals have been allowed to visit Gurudongmar, with a Protected Area Permit arranged by a registered Gangtok agency for named passengers and vehicle. Carry the original ID listed on the permit.
Air
Bagdogra is the nearest major airport. Plan Gangtok, then Lachen, before attempting Gurudongmar; no faster route exists.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Gurudongmar Lake
There is no accommodation at Gurudongmar. Stay in Lachen, 65 km below at 2,750 m, in family homestays or simple lodges included in most tours. Saver travellers join shared tours that book basic rooms; comfort travellers book the best lodge in Lachen with a private vehicle. There is no luxury option in this part of North Sikkim.
Questions
Gurudongmar Lake, answered
How high is Gurudongmar Lake?
Gurudongmar lies above 5,100 m, among the highest lakes in India reachable by road. Some signboards and sources give slightly different heights. Because you drive up from Lachen in a few hours, altitude sickness is the main risk.
Can foreigners visit Gurudongmar Lake?
Gurudongmar has been open only to Indian nationals. Foreign nationals can usually visit Lachung and Yumthang instead. Check current status before you travel.
How do I get a permit for Gurudongmar?
Through a registered Gangtok agency, as part of a North Sikkim tour. Provide photo ID and passport photos at least a day ahead; the permit names passengers and the vehicle. Check current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Gurudongmar Lake?
April to June and October to November. Winter brings heavy snow and road closures, and from July to September landslides on the North Sikkim roads often cancel trips.
Is Gurudongmar Lake open now?
The road to Lachen and Gurudongmar has been disrupted since the October 2023 floods and later landslides, with long closures. Check current status before you travel with your agency.
How long is the drive from Lachen to Gurudongmar?
About 65 km, 3–4 hours each way, starting around 4 am and returning by midday.
Does Gurudongmar Lake freeze?
Much of the lake freezes in winter, but tradition says one part stays unfrozen, a blessing of Guru Rinpoche. In October and November the lake is usually open water with ice at the edges.
Is Gurudongmar suitable for seniors?
Some healthy seniors visit, but the altitude above 5,100 m and the long drive are demanding. Talk to your doctor first, carry medications and be ready to turn back at Thangu if needed.
What should I wear to Gurudongmar?
Thermals, fleece, a down jacket, windproof outer layer, gloves, a warm cap, sunglasses and sturdy shoes. The wind at the lake is very cold in every season.