East Sikkim · Sikkim
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
A glacial lake at 3,750 m and the old Silk Route pass on the China border, a day trip from Gangtok.
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La is an easy snow destination in East Sikkim, Sikkim, reaching 4,310 m. The best time to go is March to May and October to December. Plan 4 days on the ground from Bagdogra / NJP and about ₹3,500 per person per day.
What to do in Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
The one thing not to miss
Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at about 3,750 m, frozen in winter.
- 2Nathu LaThe border pass; open to Indian nationals on set days, with a permit.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Bagdogra to Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings; go gently, you have gained height.
Day 2
Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at about 3,750 m, frozen in winter.
Day 3
Nathu La
The border pass; open to Indian nationals on set days, with a permit.
Day 4
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La to Bagdogra
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- ❄︎Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Snow you can reach by road from Gangtok for much of the year.
Why not
Permit-only, crowded in season, and the altitude jumps fast on a day trip.
Before you go
- Permits
- Protected-area permit through a registered Gangtok agent. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only and open on limited days.
- Guide
- Permit vehicles come with drivers.
- Safety
- Gangtok to 4,300 m in a few hours — skip Nathu La if anyone feels unwell at the lake.
- Phone & internet
- Weak.
Altitude
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La reaches 4,310 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Sikkim →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Sikkim Police helpline, Gangtok.
All emergency contacts for Sikkim →What to pack for Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
7 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,310 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsProtected-area permit through a registered Gangtok agent. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only and open on limited days.
- Passport-size photos and photocopies of your IDPermit counters and check posts ask for them, and there is rarely a photocopier nearby. Carry four of each.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak.
For what you're going for
3 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Sikkim Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Snow closes the road for days at a time in winter.
By road
From
Gangtok
- Distance
- about 38 km to the lake, 55 km to the pass
- Drive time
- 2–3 hours
- Gangtok
- Kyongnosla
- Tsomgo
- Sherathang
- Nathu La
A permit is needed, arranged a day ahead through a registered agent. Nathu La is open to Indian nationals only, on set days.
Live directions from Gangtok
Buses and shared taxis. Only locally registered vehicles are allowed; book a shared or private one in Gangtok.
Pickups & drivers
From Bagdogra / NJP. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
The best months for Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La are March to May and October to December. January and February are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to April.
How difficult is Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,650 m and reaching 4,310 m.
How many days do you need for Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Plan 4 days on the ground, counted from Bagdogra / NJP. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La cost?
Expect about ₹3,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹14,000 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Bagdogra / NJP.
How do you reach Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
By road: from Gangtok it is about 38 km to the lake, 55 km to the pass, 2–3 hours (Gangtok → Kyongnosla → Tsomgo → Sherathang → Nathu La). Only locally registered vehicles are allowed; book a shared or private one in Gangtok. The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Permits: Protected-area permit through a registered Gangtok agent. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only and open on limited days. Guide: Permit vehicles come with drivers.
Is Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is possible with care. It is busy in season. Gangtok to 4,300 m in a few hours — skip Nathu La if anyone feels unwell at the lake.
What should you pack for Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, sun cap or hat. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Weak.
Will I get altitude sickness at Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La reaches 4,310 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La?
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La is not a good choice for older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,310 m. Also keep in mind: Permit-only, crowded in season, and the altitude jumps fast on a day trip.
Close to Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Zuluk & the Silk Routeabout 13 km
- Gangtokabout 15 km
More in Gangtok & East Sikkim
- Gangtok2,100 mcompare
- Zuluk & the Silk Route3,960 mcompare
- Dzongri4,170 mcompare
- Goechala4,600 mcompare
- Gurudongmar Lake5,430 mcompare
- Lachung & Yumthang Valley4,700 mcompare