Warm up at
Thangu
The yak-herder highland at 13,500ft.
- Altitude
- About 13,500ft
- Life
- Seasonal yak-herder village
- Road
- Lachen-Gurudongmar route
Thangu is a high seasonal settlement at about 13,500ft where Lachenpa herders bring yaks for the short summer: cabins, an army checkpost and a valley that turns from white to gold-green for a few months.
Quick answers
Thangu at a glance
Do I stop at Thangu?
Everyone does, for tea and permit checks on the Gurudongmar run.
Practicals
Permits & season
No ILP, but protected areas (Nathula, North Sikkim beyond Mangan) need permits arranged through registered agencies ahead of travel.
March to May for rhododendrons and clear skies, October to December for the sharpest views; the monsoon closes high routes.
When to go
Plan around these months
Nearby
Close enough to combine
Things to do
What you're here for
Summer gold
The valley’s brief green season, Jun-Aug.
Journal
Read before you go
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Explore Thangu
Facts checked against the official Sikkim tourism portal · Last verified 2026-09-26