Climb to
Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake)
The sacred glacial lake at 12,400ft.
- Altitude
- About 12,400ft
- Permit
- Protected area, via registered agency
- Foreigners
- Permitted under current PAP rules
- From Gangtok
- About 40km
Tsomgo (Changu) is the sacred glacial lake at about 12,400ft on the old trade road to Tibet, held holy by Sikkimese Buddhists. It freezes solid in winter, yaks pose along the shore in season, and it sits inside a protected area: Indians need permits arranged via registered agencies, and foreigners are permitted to visit under current PAP rules.
Pair it with Baba Mandir, and Nathula if you are eligible.
Quick answers
Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) at a glance
Can foreigners visit Tsomgo?
Yes, the current official PAP page permits foreigners at Tsomgo under the stated rules; Nathula beyond it is not permitted.
When to go
Plan around these months
Nearby
Close enough to combine
Things to do
What you're here for
Frozen season
Jan-Feb turns the lake into a white plain.
Shoreline yaks
The classic decorated-yak photos.
Facts checked against the official Sikkim tourism portal · Last verified 2026-09-26