A paved road to the glacial Gurudongmar Lake
India, asia
190 km
5,154 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits! Ever heard of Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim, India? Perched way up at 5,154 meters (that’s a whopping 16,909 feet!), it's one of the highest lakes *and* roads you'll find in the country.
You'll find this gem way north of Gangtok (190 km, to be exact) and about 67 km from Lachen, almost hugging the Chinese border in the northeastern corner of India.
Seriously, this place is stunning. We’re talking a high-altitude glacial lake, so high it freezes solid in winter! They also call it Chho Lhamo, Cholamu Lake, or Cholamoo Lake. Picture this: completely surrounded by snow-capped peaks, nestled north of the Kangchengyao range. Breathtaking doesn't even begin to cover it.
Legend says Guru Padmasambhava (aka Guru Rinpoche), the big cheese in Tibetan Buddhism, swung by in the 8th century, making it a sacred spot for Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs.
Now, about that road... freshly paved and called Gurudongmar Road, it stretches 91.4 km (or about 57 miles) from Chungthang. Heads up, though: that high altitude means you need to take it slow and be extra careful.
Keep in mind, winter snows often make the road impassable. If you're Indian, you're good to go, but international travelers will need to snag a special permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi. And, pro-tip: it's a pretty remote ride, so pack plenty of snacks and supplies – you won't find much in the way of restaurants up there!
Where is it?
A paved road to the glacial Gurudongmar Lake is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 24.1861, 79.6724
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 190 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,154 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 24.1861, 79.6724
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