The name Tsomgo is usually translated from Bhutia as source of the lake. The lake is fed by melting snow from the surrounding mountains and freezes over in winter.
Source: Lake Tsomgo
Lake in Sikkim
Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at 3,750 m on the road to the Nathu La
Tsomgo, also called Changu, is a glacial lake at about 3,750 m, 40 km east of Gangtok on the road to the Nathu La. It is visited as a permit day trip with a registered Gangtok agency. Indians can add the Nathu La border pass and Baba Mandir. Go early; the lake freezes in mid-winter.
Photo: Indrajit Das · CC BY 3.0 · CommonsThe road from Gangtok to Tsomgo climbs about 2,000 m in 40 km, past army camps, waterfalls and the Kyongnosla alpine sanctuary, to a lake held in a bowl of steep slopes. Tsomgo is roughly oval, about a kilometre long, and is fed by snowmelt from the surrounding ridges. In winter it freezes over; in May and June the slopes around it bloom with rhododendrons and primulas.
For the Bhutia communities of East Sikkim the lake is sacred, and lamas once read the colour of its water to foretell the future. Today its shore is lined with tea stalls, yak handlers and stalls renting boots and coats, and the morning hours are the quietest. A small shrine stands near the water.
Tsomgo lies inside a protected area near the border with Tibet, so every visitor needs a permit issued in advance through a registered travel agency in Gangtok, and private self-driven cars from outside Sikkim are not usually allowed. Indian nationals can continue on permitted days to the Nathu La at 4,310 m and the Baba Harbhajan Singh shrine. Check current status before you travel.
Say it like a local · NepaliChangu
the common local name for Tsomgo Lake
What to do in Tsomgo Lake
The lake in early light
Arrive by 9 am, before the vehicles stack up, and walk the path along the eastern shore. On still mornings the water mirrors the ridges; in January and February the surface is frozen white and snow lines the road.
The Nathu La border pass
Indian nationals with the right permit can drive on to the Nathu La at 4,310 m, the pass on the old trade route to Lhasa and a border post between India and China. Visits have usually run Wednesday to Sunday; check current status before you travel.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
A shrine to an Indian Army soldier who died in the area in 1968, now venerated by soldiers and visitors who leave water bottles and offerings. It sits on the Nathu La road and is part of most extended Tsomgo trips.
Spring flowers at Kyongnosla
Below the lake, the Kyongnosla alpine sanctuary protects rhododendron, primula and other high-altitude plants. From April to June the roadside is in flower, and the air smells of juniper.
Yaks on the shore
Decorated yaks wait by the lake for short rides. If you ride, agree the price first and keep it short; at this altitude even a slow walk takes effort.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Tsomgo Lake
On Guru Purnima, jhakris, the traditional faith healers of Sikkim, gather at Tsomgo, which is believed to have healing properties.
Source: Lake Tsomgo
Border trade over the Nathu La was halted in 1962 and reopened in 2006, for the first time in 44 years, with a trade mart at Sherathang below the pass.
Source: Nathu La
Experiences
Three days worth having in Tsomgo Lake
Photo: Indrajit Das · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Tsomgo Lake · 1–2 hours
A slow walk around Tsomgo's shore
Walk the shore path at Tsomgo while the light is low and the stalls are still opening. In winter you see a frozen lake …
Permit and vehicle through Gangtok agency
Photo: shankar s. · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Tsomgo Lake · Full day with Tsomgo
Nathu La, the pass on the Lhasa road
Continue past Tsomgo to the Nathu La at 4,310 m, the pass on the old Kalimpong–Lhasa trade route and today a border pos…
Vehicle ₹6,000–9,000 incl. Tsomgo; permit via agency
Photo: Myself (Ambuj Saxena) · Public domain · Commons
Tsomgo Lake · 1 hour
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
Stop at the shrine honouring Harbhajan Singh, an Indian Army soldier who died in this area in 1968. Soldiers posted on …
Included in vehicle cost; permit via agency
Real prices
What things cost in Tsomgo Lake
ItemIndicative 2026
Seat in a shared Tsomgo tour from Gangtok₹800–1,500
Private vehicle, Tsomgo and Baba Mandir₹3,500–5,500 per vehicle
Private vehicle including Nathu La₹6,000–9,000 per vehicle
Boots and coat rental at the lake₹100–300
Short yak ride₹300–600
Tea and instant noodles at the stalls₹50–120
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Tsomgo Lake
Road
Tsomgo is about 40 km from Gangtok on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road towards the Nathu La, 1.5–2 hours each way. Only Sikkim-registered tourist vehicles with permits go through the check post, so book through a registered agency. Snow and landslides close the road some days; check current status before you travel.
Shared tour
Many Gangtok agencies sell seats in shared jeeps leaving around 7–8 am and returning by early afternoon. It is the cheapest way to go if you are travelling alone or as a couple. Give your ID and photos to the agency the day before.
Air
The nearest commercial airport is Bagdogra, about 165 km away. You must first reach Gangtok, spend the night, and arrange your permit there; same-day trips from Siliguri are not possible.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Tsomgo Lake
There is no tourist accommodation at Tsomgo and overnight stays are not permitted in this protected area. Visit as a day trip from Gangtok and choose your stay there: guesthouses near Tibet Road for saver travellers, Hotel Tibet or Netuk House for comfort, and the Elgin Nor-Khill or Mayfair for signature trips. Leave Gangtok early to reach the lake before the crowds.
Questions
Tsomgo Lake, answered
How do I get a permit for Tsomgo Lake?
Book through a registered travel agency or your Gangtok hotel at least a day ahead with a photo ID and two passport photos. The agency applies for the Protected Area Permit and provides the vehicle. Foreigners need a minimum group size, usually two. Check current status before you travel.
How far is Tsomgo Lake from Gangtok?
About 40 km, 1.5–2 hours each way on a winding mountain road. Most trips leave at 7–8 am and return by early or mid-afternoon.
What is the cost of a Tsomgo Lake trip?
A seat in a shared jeep costs about ₹800–1,500 per person. A private vehicle for Tsomgo and Baba Mandir is about ₹3,500–5,500, and with Nathu La ₹6,000–9,000. Rates rise in peak season.
What is the best time to visit Tsomgo Lake?
For a frozen lake and snow, late December to March; for flowers and clear water, April to May; for the clearest skies, October and November. Avoid July and August, when landslides and fog often stop trips.
Is Tsomgo Lake open in winter?
Usually, but heavy snowfall closes the road for a day or several days at a time, especially in January and February. Permits are issued daily depending on conditions; check current status before you travel.
Will I get altitude sickness at Tsomgo Lake?
Some people feel headache or breathlessness at 3,750 m, especially after flying in. Spend at least one night in Gangtok first, move slowly and drink water. Talk to your doctor before going if you have heart or lung conditions, are pregnant or travelling with infants.
Can I drive my own car to Tsomgo Lake?
Generally no. Only Sikkim-registered tourist vehicles with permits are allowed beyond the check post. Plan to hire a local vehicle and driver through an agency.
Is there a mobile network at Tsomgo Lake?
Coverage is limited and varies by provider; some networks work near the lake and around the army areas, others do not. Do not rely on mobile data for payments; carry cash.
What should I wear to Tsomgo Lake?
Warm layers, a windproof jacket, gloves and a cap in any season, plus sunglasses and sunscreen. Waterproof shoes help in snow; boots and coats can be rented at the lake and on the way.