Lachen

Lachen can be a great weekend getaway from Gangtok if you are courting adventure. This tiny village in the high Himalayas acts as a base camp for a number of treks and is a major stopover if you intend to visit Gurudongmar Lake. Lachen is a treat to visit in different weather conditions for it sees a wild rush of flowers and brooks in rains and summer, and gets snowed up in winters. Lachen, when compared to Lachung, appeals more with its simplicity and the fact that it is visited by the more ardent trekkers and nature lovers. Other than that, Lachen hosts a number of yearly fairs and festivals, such as Chaam (November), Lossong (a harvest festival in January), Saga Dawa (June), Lhabab Dhuchen (November), Drupka Tse-shi (August) and Phang Lhabsol (August/September). You can align your trip to Lachen with any of these festivals to get a sneak peek into the religion, the rituals and the local way of living.