|  Lachen
- North Sikkim
Lachen is only a recent host to tourists.
Situated at an altitude of 8838 ft and at a distance of 120
kms from Gangtok along the North Sikkim
highway, Lachen stands on a grassy and bushy flat land separated
by deep gorges of Lachen Chu. A six hour drive through some
of the most picturesque places in sikkim takes one to Lachen.
From Lachen rises the pine-clad mountains with their snowy peaks
and black cliffs.
 Lachen
is a small Bhutia and Tibetan
settlements, comprising of nearly 150 houses. This village was
earlier inhabited only in winters by the owners who spend the
summers on the alpine pastures along the Tibet border tending
to their herd of yaks. The Lachen monastery overlooking the
village is worth a deko.
Lachen was opened for tourism activity only
towards the end of year 2000. Since then a few hotels with basic
facilities have come up in Lachen to provide accommodation for
the nature lovers. A fabulous  trek
route to the Green Lake at 15400ft in Kunchanjungha National
Park originates from Lachen. Lachen is also the base from where
one can visit Chopta valley and Gurudongma lake.
Although visit to Chopta
valley and a trek to Green
lake is open for everyone. Gurudongma
is accessible only for Indian tourists and photography is strictly
prohibited in the area. Visit to Lake Cho-lamu is also possible
from Lachen. |
