Gurudongmar Lake (17100ft, 31kms)
The pop up of the beer can and the clinking of ice cube against glass interrupted my dream and brought me back in the room. I was still lost in Yumthang Valley watching a yak grazing on flowers close to the stream. Tommy Singh looked at me with a frown, then slowly raised his eye brows.We were still in Lachung, our base camp, in the same hotel room, with occasional sound of gun fire by Indian Army battalion practicing a mock battle maneuvers, a mystic waterfall behind our hotel...unreal but true.
Popping some nuts in my mouth I asked,
"when do we intend leaving for Lachen?"."In about half an hour",
Tommy replied wiping the beer froth over his mouth with his hand.Lachen
And then we were off to another mystic place-Lachen. It was long journey of about 60 km with serpentine and treacherous road, hair pin bends and stunning scenery of an unforgettable landscape. As we reached Lachen, a 
quaint, secluded village on a grassy meadows, we lost our voice! May be cold, may be the heavenly splendor, tears started trickling down on my cheeks.The village commanded amazing views of the snow capped mountains! Lachen was the new destination of the millennium and had opened to tourists only on December 20th, 2000. Some villagers passed by us, pretty girls as well smiling, probably shepherds.The village of Lachen was situated at the height of2750 meters with just basic amenities to lodge and board. lachen was the most glorious place I had ever visited. It was natures gifted wonderland- divine... sorry...words are falling short.
Oh my God! I felt HIS presence...everywhere around Lachen. At the same time there was something bewitching...mystic.
We headed for our hotel-Sonam Palgey which we found comfortable and truly scenic. We were so dazed with the beauty of Lachen that we decided to just relax in the evening.
Next day we drove to Thangu ( 32Kms from Lachen) after breakfast. Situated at an altitude of 13000ft Thangu was a recent host in North Sikkim Travel Map . The journey to Thangu followed the fascinating roads winding upwards cutting across the dense coniferous mountains, lush green alpine meadows and vast river valleys.
Day 3: Drove early towards Gurudongmar Lake (17100ft, 31kms) (only Indian National are allowed). Gurudongmar was one of the highest situated lakes in North Sikkim. We were warned of the high altitude sickness and in spite of being careful, we had breathing problems! We looked at the pristine lake and watched it motionlessly. Amazing and amazing.
Offered prayers to the small temple near the lake and returned to Lachen in the evening.
Note: Your travel agent can arrange all permits. It's better to go through travel agents while traveling in North Sikkim. Of course, contact only reputed ones. HOTELS IN LACHUNG http://www.cleartrip.com/hotels/india/lachung/