Gurudongmar Lake North Sikkim

The town of Gurudongmar is located in the Indian state of Sikkim. Gurudongmar is famous among tourists for its lake, which is located at an altitude of 17100 feet (roughly 5210 meters). This region lies in the northern part of Sikkim, and is located at a distance of around five kilometers from the Chinese border. The beautiful lake (200 kms from Gangtok) remains milky in color throughout the year. You need to travel 7-8 hour from Gangtok through lush greenery and waterfalls as one reaches the Lachen village, and then it takes 4-5 hour drive through snow clad peaks and mountains to reach the Gurudongmar Lake. According to a legend, since the lake used to remain frozen most of the year, it was not possible to use its water for drinking purposes. When the Guru Padmasambhava passed by, while returning from Tibet, the local residents are reported to have approached him for providing source of water. Since water of the lake is considered sacred, visitors carry the 'blessed' water in bottles. Legend has it that, Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Dongmar), touched and sanctified the lake, and thus, even in extreme winter, a portion of the lake does not freeze. The lake is also one of the sources of River Teesta, which flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh to merge with the Bay of Bengal. The lake is also surrounded by peaks on all sides, and the scenery here is very serene and captivating, making it an ideal picnic spot.

As soon as you approach the lake you will see a gurudwara on its bank and just opposite to that you can see few India Army bunkers. Opposite to the border and the mountain range and a few peaks, you will see in its backdrop the Khanggyao - Sir Mountain and just to its right side, there is a peak which is known as Chumyom - Lady Mountain. This lake is allowed to be visited only by Indian tourists. With its capturing scenic beauty and untouched grandeur, Gurudongmar is a must visit place if you are travelling to North Sikkim. Get set to experience the journey of a lifetime at Gurudongmar Lake. You can visit Gurudongmar Lake and its surrounding regions, which have minor temples dedicated to popular local characters like Padmasambhava, who was a Buddhist monk. You can also take a trek up the terrain to this lake. Surrounded by barren and cold landscape;lake is fed by melting glacier. Lake's high altitude poses a challenge for its travelers. You need to be physically fit and more importantly mentally prepared for such high altitudes. Thin air and lack of oxygen supply can leave you wanting for more and more air all the time. But this challenge of hard terrain and the reward of glorious views of Gurudongmar Lake make this trip worthwhile for travelers.

The main attraction near the lake is Sarva Dharma Sthal, which is a place of worship for people of all religions. Best time to visit the Gurudongmar Lake is between the months of March and May. Hotels near Gurudongmar offer pleasant stays to tourists to enjoy the view of Gurudongmar Lake. There are decent, affordable hotels but deluxe ones are difficult to find. As the lake is situated on such a high altitude above the sea level, there are not many options for food. The nearby restaurants do serve good food that goes well with the ambiance.