THANGU VALLEY TRAVEL GUIDE

Thangu valley is a small village near Lachen, on the way to Gurudongmar Lake. It is a small hamlet with rows of wooden and stone houses, which also double up as eating places for passing by tourists. Located at a high altitude of 3962m, it is in the Alpine range of mountains, and a different lifestyle can be seen here. Serene, laid back and away from the city life. The houses are small and cosy, and the inhabitants still use old traditional methods of cooking and running errands. Most houses have a kitchen garden and shed. It is close to the army base, so there is a high surveillance in this area and photography is restricted in placs. Army folks can be seen moving around. Thangu is the ideal spot for a stop over to soak in the beauty of the mountains from up close.

Thangu is home to the Teesta, Chopta, Thangu and Lassur rivers, which flow through meadows and their sparkling water is a beautiful sight to behold. As the altitude grows, the trees wane away, and you can get a glimpse of the Tibetan plateau with minimal vegetation.

Climate And Best Time To Visit

Since it is located at a high altitude, Thangu is covered with snow almost the entire year round. The summer months are the only time it thaws, and the valley opens up the routes. The best time to visit are May-June, which also ushers in the Alpine flowers in the valley.

Getting There & Getting Around Thangu Valley

Thangu is 30km north of Lachen, and accessible via taxis. It is connected by road to the main cities like Gangtok, Pelling, and others, and to the Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri Railway station.

Sightseeing & Activities

Apart from providing scenic views, Thangu Valley is also a wonderful spot for short treks. Trekking in this region takes you through mountain routes, and lets you discover the heart of the mountains and valleys. Some of the popular sites for trekking are Chopta Valley, Green Lake and Muguthang. It is important to note that the trekkers must bring their trekking gear with them as there are no shops that sell merchandise in Thangu.

Access to Thangu requires permits and it is best to enquire with your travel agent about any permits required for hiking trails before embarking on the journey.