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Climb to

Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake)

The sacred glacial lake at 12,400ft.

High glacial lake, representative of Tsomgo
Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake), Sikkim
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.

Things to do in Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) →

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.

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

MarchAprilMayOctoberNovemberDecember

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.

Journal

Read before you go

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Explore Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake)

Facts checked against the official Sikkim tourism portal · Last verified 2026-09-26

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