The short answer
Green Lake Trek (Kangchenjunga North Base Camp): what visitors should know first
This is a serious, permit-bound trek for experienced, fit trekkers only, taking around 10 to 12 days from Gangtok. Permits need clearance from the Defence and Home ministries, and it is not routinely open. Check with a registered Sikkim operator whether permits are being issued before planning. Not for older travellers.
History and context
The story behind Green Lake Trek (Kangchenjunga North Base Camp)
Green Lake lies near the snout area of the Zemu Glacier, the largest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya, on the north-east side of Kangchenjunga. The area falls within Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016.
Useful facts
Green Lake Trek (Kangchenjunga North Base Camp) facts at a glance
- Location
- Zemu valley, from Lachen, North Sikkim
- Altitude
- About 4,900 to 5,000 m (roughly 16,000 to 16,400 ft)
- Experience type
- Restricted base camp trek
- Known for
- Zemu Glacier and the east face of Kangchenjunga
- Time or schedule
- About 10 to 12 days from Gangtok; spring or autumn, permits allowing
Why it matters
Why Green Lake Trek (Kangchenjunga North Base Camp) is worth your time
Green Lake is the base of the north-eastern approach to Kangchenjunga, followed by mountaineering expeditions up the Zemu Glacier since at least the 1930s. It is one of very few routes that reach the inner sanctuary of the mountain on the Sikkim side.
It also lies deep inside Khangchendzonga National Park, which shelters snow leopard, red panda, blue sheep and some 550 bird species. Strict permits keep numbers very low, so the valley remains largely untouched.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Zemu Glacier
The largest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya, about 26 km long, followed for the last stages of the trek.
- 02
Kangchenjunga east face
A rarely seen side of the world's third-highest mountain, visible from the upper camps.
- 03
Zemu valley forest
Lower stages pass through forest with rhododendron, primula and, in season, blue poppies.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Trekkers usually drive from Gangtok to Lachen (about 2,700 m), where the trek begins. The route follows the Zemu Chu valley through camps at Tallem (about 3,240 m), Jakthang (about 3,430 m) and Yabuk (about 4,040 m), then climbs to Rest Camp (about 4,725 m) on the edge of the Zemu Glacier. The final stage reaches Green Lake at roughly 4,900 to 5,000 m (about 16,000 to 16,400 ft); operators' figures vary.
Most itineraries allow a rest day at Green Lake for walks on the moraine and views of Kangchenjunga's east face, then return the same way to Lachen. Allow around ten to twelve days from Gangtok to Gangtok, with spare days for weather and road delays.
This is a fully supported camping trek with no lodges. The terrain beyond Yabuk is moraine and boulder, and acclimatisation matters. Everything, including permits, camps, cooks and porters, has to be arranged through a registered Sikkim operator, and permits can take weeks.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Start permit applications through a registered Sikkim operator weeks ahead
- Carry passport, visa or Indian photo ID and spare photos
- Plan acclimatisation days above Yabuk
- Bring full cold-weather camping gear
- Allow spare days for weather and road delays on the Lachen road
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Zemu valley, Khangchendzonga National Park, starting at Lachen, North Sikkim
- Time needed
- About 10 to 12 days from Gangtok, with roughly 8 days on foot
- Best time
- Late spring (April to May) and autumn (October to November), subject to permits
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- A remote high-altitude trek to about 5,000 m, with long days on rough moraine, cold camps and no rescue nearby. Older travellers should not attempt it. Parents can stay in Lachen, see the village and monastery, and take the permitted drives in North Sikkim while fitter family members trek, if the trek permit is granted.
- Tickets and access
- A trekking permit is issued only after Defence and Home Ministry clearance: Indians apply via the Sikkim Home Department, foreigners via the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. A Khangchendzonga National Park pass is also needed, and a registered operator and guide are required. North Sikkim reopened in early 2026, but there is no published confirmation that Green Lake permits are being issued to Indians or foreigners; confirm with Sikkim Tourism or a registered operator.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Green Lake Trek (Kangchenjunga North Base Camp)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
A remote high-altitude trek to about 5,000 m, with long days on rough moraine, cold camps and no rescue nearby. Older travellers should not attempt it. Parents can stay in Lachen, see the village and monastery, and take the permitted drives in North Sikkim while fitter family members trek, if the trek permit is granted.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the Green Lake trek open now?
It is not routinely open. North Sikkim reopened in early 2026, but Green Lake needs special clearance; check with the Sikkim Tourism Department or a registered operator before planning.
Can foreigners do the Green Lake trek?
Only with a permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, arranged through a registered operator. Approval is not guaranteed.
How high is Green Lake?
Operators give roughly 4,900 to 5,000 m (about 16,000 to 16,400 ft).
Sources and further reading
- Sikkim Tourism Department: Adventure tourism
- Wikipedia: Zemu Glacier
- Wikipedia: Khangchendzonga National Park
- Trek in Sikkim: Green Lake trek
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
