Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La vs Gurudongmar Lake
Pick Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La for
snow, family trips, first-timers, an easier walk, fewer days
Pick Gurudongmar Lake for
road trips, a spiritual journey, photography, fewer people
| Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La | Gurudongmar Lake | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Sikkim, East Sikkim | Sikkim, Lachen, North Sikkim |
| Highest point | 4,310 m | 5,430 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy–moderate |
| Trek distance | No trek needed | No trek needed |
| Days on the ground | 4 | 5–6 |
| Best months | Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec | Apr, May, Oct, Nov |
| Snow likely | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Crowds in season | Busy | Moderate |
| Daily spend | about ₹3,500 | about ₹3,500 |
| Gateway | Bagdogra / NJP | Bagdogra / NJP |
| With kids | Good | Possible |
| With seniors | Possible | Not advised |
| Permits | Protected-area permit through a registered Gangtok agent. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only and open on limited days. | North Sikkim permit through a registered agent; Indian nationals only. |
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- ❄︎Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely
Gurudongmar Lake: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- ❄︎Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely