How To Reach Lachung

Lachung- The Village Of Waterfalls, Forest And Apples

Lachung is an arresting village of north Sikkim located at a close proximity to the Tibetan border. The Lachung River passes through this village surrounded by pine forests which makes it look picturesque. It is located at an altitude of 8,610ft and is around 118 km from Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. Waterfalls and apple orchards are found here in abundance. Amazing attractions such as the 19th-century Buddhist Lachung Monastery, the nearby Yumthang Valley’s Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and hot springs are must-see places here. Excursion to the Zero Point (40 kilometers) is a wonderful attraction. The term Lachung means “ Small Pass”. The ride from Gangtok to Lachung is quite scenic.

Suggested Read: Places To Visit in Lachung, Things To Do in Lachung & Best Time To Visit Lachung

Reach Lachung By Air

Lachung is around 125 km from Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal which at present is the nearest airport. The airport is well connected to some of the major cities of India like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai by regular flights. You have to come to Gangtok to reach Lachung as it is the only and the most convenient route. Gangtok is around 102 km from it (4 hour drive). From the airport, you can take a taxi and reach Gangtok first. You need Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Lachung which you can obtain through your travel agent or apply directly online. So get your permit while you stay in Gangtok for a day and then the next morning leave for Lachung.

The great news for the travellers is that Sikkim has now got its own airport- Pakyong Airport, which is just 35 km from Gangtok. The airport is located in Pakyong village and will directly connect Sikkim with some of the major cities of India once the airport is fully operational. At present only few aircrafts operate from here. It is the first airport of Sikkim located at an altitude of 4,590 ft and is one of the highest altitude airports in India. Once it is operational you can easily reach Gangtok in less time and further your travel time to Lachung will also be reduced by few hours.

Reach Lachung By Train

A journey by train to Lachung is quite interesting. The nearest railway station to Lachung is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri, West Bengal. It is around 191 kilometers from Lachung. This railway station is well connected to some of the major cities of India such as Kolkatta and Delhi.

From the railway station you drive down to Gangtok as the way to reach Lachung is through Gangtok and also it is the most convenient way. Stay at Gangtok for a day and in the meantime obtain the Inner Line Permit to Lachung through your travel agent or apply online directly in advance. Next, early morning leave for Lachung. Lachung is around 102 km from Gangtok and it takes around 4-5 hours to reach there from Gangtok.

Reach Lachung By Road

Lachung is well connected with various destinations and cities like Gangtok (103 km), Darjeeling (169 km), Jalpaiguri (231 km) and Mangan(51 km) by road. Lachung can be easily reached by road from any place in Sikkim. You have to first come to Gangtok to reach Lachung. Lachung is around 102 km from Gangtok and it takes around 4 hours to reach there from Gangtok. In fact, this is the most convenient way to reach Lachung. Once you reach Gangtok ask your travel agent to get you the Inner Line Permit issued which is required to visit Lachung. Stay for a day in Gangtok and the next day leave early morning with your permit for Lachung. You can book a cab from Gangtok. The drive to Lachung is scenic at many points and for sure you will enjoy it. At certain stretches, the road may not be in good shape but overall it is hassle-free to reach Lachung by road.

KINDLY NOTE: Although taxis are easily available from the airport, railway station and other places and they run daily but it is advisable to contact your travel agent to book a taxi for you in advance to make your journey hassle-free. During peak season when tourists come here in great numbers, you might not get a taxi easily if you don’t book it in advance. So whether you are traveling to Lachung by air, rail or road or from Gangtok to Lachung ask you travel agent to book a taxi for you prior to your arrival in Sikkim.