Tsomgo Lake Gangtok Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
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Tsomgo Lake Gangtok Address: Gangtok, Sikkim, 737103, India
Tsomgo Lake, located at an altitude of approximately 3753 m above sea level, is a scenic glacial lake in the state of Sikkim. Also known by the names - Changgu Chho Lake, Changu Lake and Tsongmo Lake, this revered water body, which remains completely frozen during the winter season, lies about 40 km from the city of Gangtok. Its name ‘Tsomgo’ is a combination of two Bhutia words – ‘Tso’ meaning lake and ‘Go’ meaning head.
Spread over an area of approximately 60.5 acres and with a length of a kilometer, this serene lake is surrounded by high, rugged mountains. The reflection of these mountains in the lake is a sight to behold. With change of seasons, the surface of the lake also reflects different colors – dark inky green just before winters to sapphire blue during the spring season.
During the springtime, the periphery of the lake is blessed with a variety of flowers, especially the rhododendrons, besides yellow and blue poppies, primulas, etc. During this period, several bird species including brahminy ducks, brown-headed gulls, tufted pochards, rose finches, golden eagles and others are spotted here. There have been times when red pandas, gorals and musk deers have also been sighted close to the lake.
History of Tsomgo Lake Gangtok
Folklores are an integral part of the culture of Northeast India, and Sikkim is no different. It has its own set of folktales associated with its waterfalls, mountains and lakes, and Tsomgo Lake naturally has one.
According to popular stories, there used to be a barn for yaks at the place where the lake exists today. One day, one of the yak herders – an old woman – dreamt that the lake would get flooded with water; and so she told the rest of the yak herders to vacate the area, but no one heeded to her request.
She was the only one who moved away from the area and as soon as she did that, she saw an old woman with snow white flowing hair enter that valley and soon the area filled with water. The remaining herders who were still there, drowned. It is believed that the old woman with white flowing hair is the guardian deity of the lake and is called Tsomgo.
There are also stories that lamas were able to predict the future by only observing the changing colors of the lake during olden times. Hence, the lake is considered to be a sacred spot by the locals, who come here each year to celebrate Guru Purnima and offer their prayers.
Things to do in Tsomgo Lake Gangtok
Enjoying the picturesque views of the Tsomgo Lake with splendid mountains in the backdrop is something that will simply captivate the visitors. This view becomes even more amazing in the winters (December to March), when the mountains are fully covered with snow and the lake is completely frozen.
From April to May, tourists can enjoy the vistas of rhododendrons and Orchids. Those coming here between June and November are sure to get treated with some excellent views of mountains, valleys and the lake.
In addition to witnessing the fantastic scenery of the Tsomgo Lake and capturing some fine pictures in their cameras, tourists can enjoy rides of Mules and Yaks here. They can also enjoy local beverages and snacks at the nearby stalls. In terms of activity, tourists here can indulge in nature photography, trekking and bird watching.
Gangtok Tsomgo Lake Timings and Entry fee
There is no entry fee to visit the Tsomgo Lake; however, tourists need to acquire a permit to come here. Indian tourists need to apply for an inner line permit while the foreign tourists need to apply for a special permit as the lake comes under the Sikkim restricted areas. This permit can be obtained from Sikkim Tourism website or from Delhi, Kolkata and Siliguri, offline.
Alternatively, they can obtain it from the Sikkim Tourist Information Centre located at M.G. Road, Gangtok. Tourists must be in a group of two or more to get permission to visit Tsomgo Lake. The ideal time to visit the lake is 7.30 am to 4.30 pm.
How to reach Tsomgo Lake Gangtok
The Tsomgo Lake lies at a distance of about 40 km from the city of Gangtok, on the way towards the famous Nathula Pass. From Gangtok, tourists can hire government-approved taxi service as they are known to help in obtaining the required permits. Alternatively, they can hire private taxis from top car rental companies in Gangtok and travel via Jawaharlal Nehru Road to reach close to the lake.
By Air: The Bagdogra International Airport, about 123 km away in West Bengal, is the nearest airport to Gangtok. The airport is well connected to the rest of the country and receives regular flights. From the airport, tourists can hire private taxis to reach Gangtok in 4 to 5 hours.
Alternatively, they can choose to take the daily helicopter service, which is available from the airport till Gangtok. The helicopter ride is about 20-30 minutes. However, this service might not be available all the time owing to changing weather conditions.
By Rail: The New Jalpaiguri Railway Junction, Siliguri in West Bengal, about 118 km away, is the closest railhead to Gangtok. Private taxis and public/private transport buses can be availed from the station to travel till Gangtok. It takes approximately 4 hours to travel this distance by bus and about 2 hours by taxi.
By Road: Regular buses from Kolkata, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kalimpong and Bagdogra ply till the Gangtok SNT Bus Station in Gangtok.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Tsomgo Lake Gangtok
- Obtaining an inner line permit for Indian nationals and special permit for foreign nationals is mandatory.
- Carrying a valid ID proof is a must.
- Wearing proper warm clothes and shoes is essential.
- Snow boots, jackets, etc. can be rented from the stalls nearby the lake.
- Carrying along water and snacks is advised.
- Staying at Gangtok for a day is advised as the lake is at a high altitude and getting acclimatized to the air pressure is necessary.
- Those with breathing difficulty can obtain portable oxygen cylinders from certain shops in Gangtok.
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