Nature · Lachen, Sikkim
Thangu and the Chopta valley meadows
On the way to or from Gurudongmar, stop at Thangu, a small settlement at about 3,900 m, and visit the nearby Chopta valley, a wide meadow with a river, yaks and high peaks. It is also a gentler place to adjust to altitude.
Photo: Amitabha Gupta · CC BY 4.0 · CommonsThangu lies about 30 km above Lachen, where the road reaches a broad valley at around 3,900 m. It has army camps, a few tea houses and lodges and is the usual breakfast stop on the way to Gurudongmar. In spring and summer, rhododendrons and primulas flower on the slopes; in winter it is snowbound.
The Chopta valley, a short drive away, is a broad meadow with a river winding through, framed by rocky ridges. In June and July it fills with alpine flowers; in October the grass turns gold and the river partly freezes. Yaks graze here in summer. Some tours include Chopta; others need a request and a small extra.
Use the stop to walk gently and let your body adjust. Thangu is about 1,150 m higher than Lachen, so headache and breathlessness are common. Drink water, eat a light breakfast and do not hurry. Talk to your doctor before the trip if you have heart or lung conditions.
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Questions
Before you book
Is Chopta valley included in North Sikkim tours?
Sometimes. Many tours stop at Thangu for breakfast and include Chopta on the return from Gurudongmar if time allows. Ask your agency in advance.
How high is Thangu?
About 3,900 m. It is a common breakfast stop and helps you adjust before going higher to Gurudongmar.
Can I stay overnight in Thangu?
A few basic lodges exist, but most tours do not stop overnight there, and permits may limit it. Lachen is the standard overnight stop.