Changu Lake is a glacial lake at an altitude of 12,313 ft. It is fed by waters from Himalayan glaciers. It is also known as Tsongmo Lake. The lake is 34 km from Gangtok, on the Gangtok-Nathula road. The road to Nathu La skirts the lake on the north side. Although trout and other fish thrive in the waters, fishing is prohibited. Hindus and Budhists alike regard the lake as sacred.
Getting to Changu Lake
The trip by road from Gangtok to Changu Lake takes two hours. It is a steep climb from Gangtok at an elevation of 5,249 feet to Changu Lake at 12,313 ft (3,753 m). Parts of the road were in bad condition and filled with pot holes. The lake area can be ten degrees cooler than Gangtok. So you will require your woollens.
Car rentals for a return trip from Gangtok to Changu Lake and Nathula:
- Innova or Xylo Rs. 3000 to 3500
- Tata Sumo or Maxx Rs. 2500 to 3000
- Shared Service Rs. 350 to 400 per person
Travel Permits
This is a protected area and it is mandatory to obtain a travel permit. You will need a photo identity proof and two passport photos. You can get the permit from the Sikkim Tourist Information Centre at MG Marg, Gangtok. Your travel agent can also arrange it. In the case of foreign nationals, a special permit is needed.
The air at high altitudes contains low levels of oxygen. If you are not acclimatised to conditions in the region, strenuous activities are best avoided . So please take small steps and take care to walk slowly. Locals can make available small oxygen cylinders if you should experience high-altitude sickness. Jackets and gloves are also delivered on temporary basis.
The lake is clean and the water is clear. Visitors may not enter the lake waters. There is no boating. The lake is bordered by steep mountains which are enclosed in snow during winter.
Yak Rides
You will find many colourfully bedecked Yaks in the area. The animals carry visitors on short rides. But the rides are costly. You have to shell out Rs. 50 just to sit on a Yak for a few minutes for a photo session.
Flowers and Birds
During summer and autumn, you will see beautiful rhododendrons, primula, irises, poppies and so forth around the lake. Migratory birds like the Brahmini ducks take a break at Tsongmo lake on their way to the plains of India. Buddhists view the Brahmini duck as sacred. It is a migratory bird, wintering in the Indian subcontinent and breeding in south-eastern Europe and central Asia.
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