Best places to visiting in Soreng

1. Gurudongmar Lake

Situated preside high in the rugged northern region of Sikkim at a stupendous altitude of 17,800 ft, is one among the earth’s most visited & natural wonders of the Indian Himalayas — Gurudongmar Lake. Located on one side by starkly beautiful barren cold deserts and on the other by snow capped Himalayan peaks this mystical glacial lake is an experience which is at the same time both extraterrestrial and spiritually divine.

Not just a geographical wonder, but also an artistic feat of silver roliing waters, turquoise sea, and a eerie silence, Gurudongmar makes a place in top most list of the highest lakes in the world. Located in the North Sikkim, about 70 km from Lachen the lake is nestled near the Indo-Tibet border and being far from civilization it takes a journey in itself to reach there.

On one side of the lake, arid desert-like mountains do a Ladakh on you and almost, while in contrast, on the other side sharp snow capped peaks, high of the majestic Kangchengyao (6889m) also look prominent. This is one of the rarest alpine lakes to find and thus it makes Gurudongmar a photographer’s paradise and traveler’s haven.

Gurudongmar Lake has great religious importance for the Buddhist as well as Hindus. As a local legend states, the lake was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) during his journey to Tibet and stopped here. He touched a part of the lake, so that it will only partially freeze — a miracle that will keep the water to drinking there even in the middle of the total permafrost.

Due to this holy link, the lake is revered and thought to hold healing properties and to be able to grant wishes. A number of pilgrims leave with some of the holy water in bottles.

The journey starts from Lachen a small mountain village, that is the point for a bright early morning downhill drive to lake. As you navigate through slopes and thin alpine foliage, a much dramatic landscape soars you – you come across Thangu Valley and Chopta Valley, each more breathtaking then previous.

The journey, although grueling and demanding for its long distance and high altitude, with thin air at times, is very well rewarded by a truly exhilarating adventure through unspoiled Himalayan wilderness.