8 Places To Visit In Nathang Valley: Explore Off-Beat Sikkim

Imagine you are standing amidst the breathtaking landscape of Nathang Valley, you are filled with a sense of awe and wonder. Surrounding you are majestic Himalayan peaks, their snow-capped summits piercing the azure sky. The air is fresh and pure, carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers and pine trees.

Well, make this dream come true with our surreal Sikkim Tour, where we offer an unmatched fusion of natural splendor and cultural exploration of the best places to visit in Sikkim.

Now you take a moment to soak in the peace of Tsongmo Lake, its surface reflecting the surrounding mountains like a flawless mirror. The gentle wave created by the occasional breeze only adds to the serene atmosphere. Nearby, the Old Baba Mandir fills you with a sense of relaxation and peace. 

From the Nathang Valley Viewpoint, you are treated to a panoramic view that stretches as far as the eye can see. Rolling meadows dotted with grazing yaks give way to cliffs and rocky outcrops, creating a natural beauty. In the distance, you spot the Ganek Viewpoint, promising an even more stunning view to explore.

As you journey through the valley, you come across the vibrant colors of rhododendron blooms at Lungthung Viewpoint, a sight that fills your heart with joy. Along the way, you come across the peaceful shores of Kupup Lake, where you pause to admire its beauty and tranquility.

In the distance, there is the Mangshila Viewpoint, with its untamed wilderness. As you venture deeper into Tukla Valley, you are reminded once again of the beauty of nature, its towering peaks and lush forests inspiring a sense of wonder and admiration.

All imagination can come true as we explore the top 8 places to visit in Nathang Valley to experience the Heavenly Retreats. But first, let’s know briefly about Natahng Valley.

About Nathang Valley

Situated at an elevation of 13,500 feet, this plush valley often termed Ladakh of East Sikkim, was once home to customary yak herders who had origins in Tibet and is now the most popular offbeat destination for nature lovers in Eastern Sikkim. Nathang Valley is a high-altitude plateau in the eastern Himalayas and the highest place to stay in the Indian part of the Old Silk Route in Sikkim.

Nathang town is one of the remotest Tibetan dwellings in Eastern Himalaya and there are many popular places to visit in Nathang Valley. Few streams across the valley and numerous prayer flags on the mountain edges are the identity of this vast & serene mountainous land mass that appears in different colors at different times of the year. 

In autumn, it looks golden when the grass dries up while in the rainy season, it’s covered in colorful flowers, and in winter, it is white due to the accumulation of snow. Nathang Valley is also visited by migratory birds just before the onset of winter. There are many Unique places to visit in Nathang Valley as well as Historical places to visit in Nathang Valley.

However, since Nathang Valley is near the Indo-Tibet border, an area of strategic importance, all tourists (Indian and foreign nationals) require special permits to visit. Indian tourists need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), while foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP). These can be obtained from the Sikkim Tourism Department or through registered travel agents.

Top 8 tourist places to visit in Nathang Valley

1. Eagle’s Nest Bunker:

One of the top tourist places to visit in Nathang Valley is this renowned viewpoint, called the Eagle’s Nest Bunker from where you can get a 360-degree view of the entire scope of Mt. Kanchenjungha, the 2nd highest peak in the world, West Bhutan, fields of West Bengal, China, Tibet, and the delightful River Brahmaputra winding crosswise over in the skyline. 

This is among the must see places in Nathang Valley and provides an extremely unique experience of watching the picturesque beauty of these landscapes, particularly at dawn hours. It is a Hidden gems to visit in Nathang Valley nestled amidst the pristine wilderness of Nathang Valley, offering unparalleled views and a glimpse into the region’s rich history which makes it one of the best places to visit in Nathang Valley.

2. Tsomgo Lake:

Popularly known as Chhangu Lake, this is among the top destinations to visit in Nathang Valley. The lake is 1km long and 50 feet deep picturesque oval-shaped, which has been created by a melting glacier and is also counted among the holy places to visit in Nathang Valley. 

A lot of travel enthusiasts gather here to enjoy these Top tourist places to visit in Nathang Valley . Tsomgo Lake can be easily covered with a day excursion from Gangtok, making it one of the best things to do in Sikkim.

3. Lungthung:

Also known as Dhupidara located at the height of 11,500 feet from sea level,  this village is among the Must see places in Nathang Valley . It is perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjungha on one side and the winding roads of Zuluk on the other.

From January to April the whole of Lungthung–Dhupidara is virtually buried in snow and the only colour you can see is white. The mountain slopes and valleys are drenched in a riot of colors around Lungthung–Dhupidara from July to September when the wildflowers bloom and nake it count among best places to visit in Nathang Valley. 

This is also one of the unique places to visit in Nathang Valley as it is famous for spotting Monal, the National bird of Nepal.

Also Read: Travel Tips To keep in mind while Visiting Sikkim

4. Thambi View Point:

Located in the rustic village of LUNGTHUNG- DHupidara, this picturesque Top tourist places to visit in Nathang Valley offers a great bird’s eye view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and the whole of Eastern Himalayas is within a kilometer of Lunthung–Dhupidara village which makes it one of the popular and beautiful places to visit near Nathang Valley

It also encompasses a perspective of crisscrossing the Zuluk circle along with the whole of Zuluk town.

Also Read: 12 Restaurants In Sikkim To Experience Culture On A Platter

5. Zuluk Loop:

Counted among one of the top tourist places to visit in Nathang Valley is the Zuluk loop which is located in the small Zuluk village in the lap of nature near the Indo-Tibetan border. 

It is among the Hidden gems to visit in Nathang Valley and the most beautiful places to visit near Nathang Valley because of the picturesque Nathang Valley sightseeing attractions in the Himalayan mountain range, it offers. 

While Mt Kanchenjunga can also be seen from this picturesque site, one of the best Nathang Valley sightseeing attractions is the serpentine & meandering loops of Zuluk, which adds to its scenic beauty making it a great honeymoon destination and Top destinations to visit in Nathang Valley.

There are approx. 30 circles in this crisscross way and since the location touches the Indo-Tibetan border, you need to take a special permit to travel to the area from Gangtok itself.

 Also Read: Detailed Guide For Shopping In Sikkim 2023

6. Kupup Valley & Lake:

Located at an elevation of 13900 feet, it is one of the best places to visit in Nathang Valley namely Kupup or Bitan Cho, which is also among the sacred lakes of Sikkim, with bordering high mountains giving it a truly otherworldly scenic beauty. Hence, it is one of the Must see places in Nathang Valley

From Kupup, you can even discover a billboard saying separation with bearing here from Lhasa (Tibet). Due to its resemblance to elephants, Kupup Lake is also known as Elephant Lake and is among the hidden gems to visit in Nathang Valley.

The lake nestles on the way to Jelepla Pass, a bordering area with China and India, which is the second-highest mountain in Bhutan and one of the Unique places to visit in Nathang Valley. The small Kupup village, which has only a few houses and a police check post is located at the lake coast and is highest in the region, recognized as a transit point during the silk trade between India and Tibet. 

Furthermore, counted among the must-see places in Nathang Valley, Kupup has also earned recognition, due to the Yak Golf Course, the highest of its kind in the world. This 18-hole golf course has also been included in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The beautiful Tukla Valley with magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjungha, along with the Old Baba Mandir and the distant view of Menmecho Lake are some of the places to explore around Kupup Lake and one of the best Nathang Valley sightseeing attractions

7. Nathula Pass:

Nathu La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, is a mountain pass in the Himalayan peaks that co-joins Sikkim and China and is among the top tourist places to visit in Nathang Valley. 

Situated on the Indo-Tibetan border at 14450 ft. above sea level, Nathu La is approx. 20 Km from Nathang Valley and is among the most popular Himalayan passes and a must-see places in Nathang Valley 

Apart from being an open trading border post between India and China, it is famous for its picturesque beauty and scenic landscapes and is a perfect site for thrill seekers to take photographs. This pass is open for Indian nationals just on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

One of the best places to visit in Nathang Valley, the Nathula Pass experiences heavy snowfall during winter and temperature drops down up to -25 degrees Celsius. May to mid-November is the summer season when the temperature ranges around 10 degrees Celsius and is the best time to go for Nathang Valley.

A valid permit to visit Nathu La Pass is given to only Indian Nationals. The permit is obtained by applying to the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. This can be done with the help of a registered travel agency. Valid identity proof and two photographs are necessary for the same.

8. Old Baba Mandir:

This is one of the Historical places to visit in Nathang Valley located 60 Km from Gangtok on a road leading towards the Kupup valley up to Tukla. A bifurcated road from Tukla connects to the Old Baba Mandir, where the samadhi of Baba Harbhajan, a martyred sepoy of the Indian Army is located, who had died there in 1968.

For the tourists’ convenience, the samadhi of Baba Harbhajan Singh has been reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang road and the trail leading to Menmecho Lake and is popularly recognized by tourists as New Baba Mandir. It is one of the must see places in Nathang Valley.

There is a strong belief that water kept in the shrine of Baba gains healing property and turns into sacred water that can cure all possible ailments. This blessed water needs to be consumed within 21 days and in this period, no family members of the ailing person are supposed to have non-vegetarian food. It is also believed that the slippers kept in the temple, help to cure gout and other foot problems. These unique beliefs make it count among the top Historical places to visit in Nathang Valley

How to Reach Nathang Valley

By Road: You can plan a stay at Gangtok and then hire a personal vehicle or cab from Gangtok to Nathang Valley [distance is approx. 70 Km with a 2-hour drive]

By Train: Take cab services or bus from the nearest railway station of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) [approx. 170 Km from Nathang Valley with 5-6 hours drive]

By Air: The Nearest Airport is Bagdogra Airport, West Bengal [approx. 170 Km from Nathang Valley] or the newly launched Pakyong airport, Sikkim [approx. 90 Km from Nathang valley] and then avail the cabs from there to reach Nathang.

The best time to go to Nathang Valley

Nathang Valley looks beautiful in every season, so you can visit the place from June to September when the valley is veiled behind wildflowers. From September to January, the valley gains back a golden hue after the snow thaws from the grassland.

From January to April the valley remains under the cover of snow, so if you are looking forward to experiencing snowfall in winter, this is the ideal time for you. Thus, there is no specific best time to go to Nathang Valley and rather can be visited around the year. 

Hence, Nathang Valley stands as a raw, untouched beauty of the Himalayas. From the serene shores of Tsongmo Lake to the spiritual solace of Old Baba Mandir, each destination within this valley offers a unique and unforgettable experience. 

Whether you’re seeking panoramic vistas from the Nathang Valley Viewpoint or immersing yourself in the vibrant blooms at Lungthung Viewpoint, Nathang Valley promises to captivate your senses and leave you in awe of nature’s magnificence.

So pack your bags, embark on an adventure, and discover the wonders that await in this hidden gem of the Himalayas.