Yumthang Valley, the Valley of Flowers

Yumthang Valley is situated in North Sikkim and is famous for its picturesque beauty. The valley is located kilometers north of the state capital, Gangtok.

Yumthang is located on a flat valley and is near the tree line; surrounding mountains seem to touch the heavens. The route to Yumthang from Lachung adjoins the Singba Forest Reserve.

Tourists require an inner line permit to travel to North Sikkim, which can be obtained with the help of a travel agent. During the season, the tourism department organizes package tours to Yumthang.

This area is landslide-prone from June to September.

Best Time to Visit: March to June (spring/summer) when the valley is filled with blooming rhododendrons, and October to December (early winter) for snow. A typical tour from Gangtok to Yumthang takes 2 days and 1 night.

Follow the link to Sikkim Tourism to get updates on tour packages and mandatory requirements for planning your visit to Sikkim.

Restoration of Road to China Border and Tourist Sites:

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed the construction of a Bailey bridge over the Lachen Chu in north Sikkim’s Zema. This bridge has restored connectivity to the China border and Gurudongmar Lake, a key tourist destination, after nearly a year.

Flood Destruction in October 2023: A glacial lake outburst flood in October 2023 from South Lhonak Lake swept away 16 bridges, including six essential ones in the Lachen valley, and breached a 25 km road network. The flood also damaged the 1200MW Sikkim Urja Teesta-Stage III dam beyond repair.

Previous Restoration Efforts: BRO and the army had earlier constructed multiple Bailey bridges and restored connectivity by April 2024, but heavy rains from Cyclone Remal in May 2024 washed away the recently constructed bridge.

Recent Reconstruction: Construction of the new Bailey bridge over Lachen Chu started on August 24, 2024, and was completed in September, restoring crucial access.

Impact on Tourism: North Sikkim, known for its scenic destinations like Gurudongmar Lake, has remained cut off since the October flood, severely affecting the tourism industry. Tourist inflow has been almost nonexistent, especially due to further road disruptions along NH10, the main highway connecting Sikkim to Bengal.

Concerns for Upcoming Tourist Season: With the Puja season approaching, the tourism industry is worried that ongoing road issues will deter visitors from booking trips to North Sikkim.

For hotels, transportation & trekking, tourists can contact Amber Singh of D.B.S. Tours & Travels, ISKCON Mandir Road, near Sachitra Bhawan, Siliguri. You can reach him at 9475549877 or 8509505775, or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..