🚧 North Sikkim Road Update Today (Live 2026)
Updated on 1st September, 2026
Planning a trip to North Sikkim: Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang, Zero Point, Sanglaphu Lake, Donkia La, or Gurudongmar Lake?
This page provides the latest live road status for Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point (Yumesamdong), Sanglaphu Lake, Donkia La, and Gurudongmar Lake. We update this page whenever there is a landslide, snowfall, road closure, diversion, reopening, or change in permit restrictions, helping travelers plan their journey safely.
🚨 Special Live Update: Lachen road has reopened for locals. The Chungthang–Lachen road, which was blocked near Taram Chu following the major washout, has reopened for local movement from 31 August 2026. Tourist movement and permits for Lachen are expected to resume within approximately one week, subject to road conditions, official clearance, and permit authorization. Until tourist permits are officially issued, travelers should not assume that Lachen is open for tourist travel.
Lachung remains open for tourists. Yumthang Valley and Zero Point access remain subject to weather and local/permit restrictions. Gurudongmar Lake access will depend on the reopening of tourist permits and applicable security and weather clearances.
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We recommend checking this page before every North Sikkim departure because road conditions can change daily.
🛣️ North Sikkim Road Stretch Status (Live)
| Road Stretch | Status | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Gangtok → Mangan | Open | Smooth |
| Mangan → Chungthang | Open | Good / occasional rough patches |
| Chungthang → Lachung | Open | Stable |
| Lachung → Yumthang | Open | Good |
| Yumthang → Zero Point | Open / Weather dependent | Snow / black ice possible |
| Zero Point → Sanglaphu Lake | Open / Restricted | Special permit required |
| Sanglaphu → Donkia La →Gurudongmar → Lachen | Open – Tourists not Allowed | Permit + army + weather dependent |
| Gangtok → Chungthang → Lachen | Open | Taramchu washout |
| Lachen → Gurudongmar Lake | Open | Weather and army clearance dependent |
| Lachung → Katao | Restricted | Army / weather dependent |
⚠️ Important Travel Note
Lachung is open for tourists.
The Chungthang → Lachen road has reopened for local movement from 31 August 2026 after the earlier Taram Chu washout.
Tourist permits for Lachen are expected to start being issued within approximately one week, subject to official confirmation and road/administrative clearance.
Until the tourist permit system officially resumes, do not treat Lachen as fully open for tourist travel.
The Donkia La diversion to Lachen remains a special alternate route and should not be considered a normal tourist route unless authorities specifically permit tourist movement.
Gurudongmar Lake access remains subject to tourist permit, security, weather, and road clearance.
Keep 1 buffer day in all North Sikkim itineraries because road and weather conditions can change rapidly.
Permits are mandatory and self-drive is not allowed.
Travelers should confirm the latest permit status with their registered tour operator before departure.
📢 What This Means for Tourists
The reopening of the Chungthang–Lachen road for locals is an important step toward restoring normal tourist access to Lachen. If the expected permit process begins within the coming week, tourist travel to Lachen may gradually resume.
However, road reopening for locals does not automatically mean tourist access has resumed. Tourists should wait for the official issuance of permits before planning or confirming a Lachen–Gurudongmar itinerary.
We will update this page as soon as there is a confirmed change in Lachen tourist permits, Gurudongmar access, road conditions, or official travel restrictions.
Is this information correct? Is the pernits to north sikkim open now?
North Sikkim Roads are Open. Locals are being allowed to enter both Lachen and Lachung. But the North Sikkim permit for the tourists is yet to be opened and expected to be started from the the end of the November, 2024.
Will the new route and reconstructed route for Lachen and Lachung be safe to travel during Christmas season i.e Dec End???
In winter there is no threat of landslides or roads being washed away by the gushing rivers in Sikkim. So plan freely your Christmas and New Year Holiday Trip to Sikkim and Darjeeling. However visiting North Sikkim in Winter needs longer stays as an overnight snowfall can block the roads to the popular places like Yumthang, Dombang, Gora-La Lake, Katao, Yumesamdong and Sangalphu Lake.
Any update for lachung road is open for tourists?
It’s expected that Sikkim Govt. might start to issue PAP (Permit) for North Sikkim from mid-December.
Is mid December confirmed? Have done the booking of 1st week of December basis some old update bt still no confirm update on North Sikkim.
Your agent can charge higher as diverted routes require more distant to be covered.
Today at Gangtok.. waiting for permit for North Sikkim
But not sure..when will get access to Lachen & Lachung
Mostly opens on eve of Christmas… fingers crossed 🤞
The section from Tung to Naga is on the verge of completion and expected to be opened for the tourists with permit from 24th December, 2024.
So that means, we shouldn’t book for north sikkim tour before that? My trip is from 15th to 22nd n wanted to do north sikkim only!!
From December 1, 2024 North Sikkim will be Opened for the Tourists. For planning and booking your trip you can contact us @ +91-9830020125.
Booked north sikkim trip with my friends and family for Christmas. I hope it opens by then
Govt is keen to complete the work of repairing the Tung-Naga section by the mid of December and it’s expected that at the Holiday season of Christmas and New year it will be fully operational.
I have booked my tickets in the 1st week of March -25. Will the roads be open by that time. Will I be able to visit lachung and lachen.
Of course, from Mid December North Sikkim will be opened for the tourists.
Sir any update for lachung road is open for tourists between 8th december,2024?
It’s expected that the North Sikkim will be open for the tourists from early or mid of December, 2024.
Is Lachung and Lachen open for tourists now i e. as of 24th November 2024?
No, as of 24th Nov, 2024, Lachung and Lachen are not open for the tourists.
Will Lachun Lachen be open for tourist on 29 th November, 2024 ???
Will lachen or lachung open in december before 13th December, Beacause need to decide package and places accordingly. Can you please give us update.
From December 1, 2024 North Sikkim will be Opened for the Tourists. For planning and booking your trip you can contact us @ +91-9830020125.
Hi, Can we go on a bike ride in Dec last week? Is there any restriction on permits for bikes?
No restriction will be there for bikes. However you must have to book a SUV to accompany you if Govt won’t issue permit in the winter for bikers.
Hi, we have already booked our trip to Sikkim from 30th Nov to 6th December. Our travel agent says the permits are still not open to Lachen and Lachung
What are our chances
It will open from December 1, 2024. You can ask your agent to be updated with the new Govt notification and tell him/her to act accordingly. North will be open for the tourists from December 1.
We came back from Lachung today. Lachen was closed. Roads from Gangtok to Lachung are in very bad condition. In places there are no roads only rocks and pebbles. The journey took us 8 hrs one way. If you have back or neck problem it’s a complete avoid. If you are planning a trip in May , you have to start early for zero point to get snow. We started at 05:30 am. Yum thang valley flowering has withered away. You can see flowering at higher altitudes. we had to return to Gangtok the same day. We reached Gangtok at 7 pm spending almost the whole day in car. One friend took 16 hrs as he got stuck on land slide traffic jam.
Is Lachen and lachung , safe to visit in November 1st week 2025 ? Are they open ?
Safe unless any natural calamity occurs in huge scale. As of now November is the best season to visit North Sikkim for viewing snow-clad peaks in clear sky.
Is December lachen and lachung open for tourist. We are planning to visit.
Yes open, but high altitude areas like Gurudongmar, Zero Point can be closed in case of heavy snowfall. So planning an itinerary of atleast 6 days for North Sikkim in winter recommended.
You can contact us in case you want to book a customised package for North Sikkim.