The short answer
Bhim Nala Falls & Chungthang: what visitors should know first
Yes, as an easy stop, not a destination in itself. You see the falls from or just beside the road roughly midway between Chungthang and Lachung, making it a natural ten-to-twenty-minute break on a long mountain drive, well before altitude becomes a concern for anyone in the car.
History and context
The story behind Bhim Nala Falls & Chungthang
Chungthang was very heavily damaged in the October 2023 Sikkim flash floods, a glacial lake outburst flood that destroyed the Teesta III hydropower dam at the town and damaged roads and bridges across North Sikkim; reports into 2025 described long stretches of road in the region as still unpaved and rebuilt only in patches.
Bhim Nala Falls itself predates this event as a fixture on the Lachung route and was not reported as significantly altered by the floods, though as with anywhere on this road, conditions can change with each monsoon season, so current confirmation is worth seeking before you travel.
Useful facts
Bhim Nala Falls & Chungthang facts at a glance
- Location
- Chungthang-Lachung road, near Khedum, about 13km from Lachung
- Experience type
- Roadside waterfall / rest stop, plus Chungthang town nearby
- Known for
- One of the taller falls on the route; sits near a town rebuilt after 2023 floods
- Access
- Visible from or near the road; short or no walk
- Time or schedule
- Open-air, no fixed hours
Why it matters
Why Bhim Nala Falls & Chungthang is worth your time
Bhim Nala is a straightforward scenic waterfall rather than a historic monument, and its real value on this route is practical: it is one of the few natural stopping points between Chungthang and Lachung where a long, winding mountain drive can be broken up safely.
Chungthang's importance is different and considerably higher-stakes. As the point where two rivers meet to form the Teesta, and as the site of a major dam destroyed in 2023, it is a reminder that this is an active, changing mountain landscape rather than a fixed backdrop, and that road conditions on the way to Lachung and Yumthang can differ meaningfully from what older guides or maps describe.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The main drop from the road
Bhim Nala falls steeply beside the highway, visible without leaving the vehicle if needed.
- 02
A safe stretch-your-legs stop
One of the few easy pull-offs on the long Chungthang-Lachung climb, useful for children and older travellers alike.
- 03
Chungthang's river confluence
Just below, the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet to form the Teesta, the geographic hinge of this whole route.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The falls sit beside the road through Khedum village, roughly midway on the long climb from Chungthang up to Lachung, and most drivers will stop if you ask, since it takes only a short pull-off rather than a detour. You see the main drop from close to the road itself, so this suits anyone who cannot manage a walk, as well as families who need to let children stretch their legs partway through a long transfer.
Chungthang itself, at the confluence where the Lachen and Lachung rivers join to form the Teesta, was very heavily damaged in the October 2023 glacial lake outburst flood that destroyed the Teesta III dam there and washed out roads and bridges across North Sikkim. Reports through 2025 described long stretches of this route as still muddy, unpaved and rebuilt only in patches rather than fully repaired, so ask your hotel or driver about current road conditions before you travel, and build extra time into the drive rather than assuming a smooth run.
If you stop in Chungthang itself rather than only passing through, the town is associated with a sacred rock said to bear the footprints of Guru Padmasambhava. This is a pilgrimage site for Buddhist visitors rather than a general sightseeing stop, and it is worth treating it with the same care as an active shrine.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask your driver to stop; it is easy to miss without a nudge
- Keep to the roadside pull-off; the road itself carries through traffic
- Carry small change for a possible local entry fee
- Ask your hotel or driver about current road conditions through Chungthang before you travel
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- On the Chungthang-Lachung road near Khedum village, with Chungthang town at the river confluence below
- Time needed
- 10-20 minutes at the falls; longer if you also stop in Chungthang town
- Best time
- Any time the road is open; flow is heaviest after monsoon and snowmelt, roughly June-September
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Viewable from a roadside pull-off or a very short path, at a comfortably lower altitude than Lachung or Yumthang, with no climbing required; a good stretch stop partway through the long drive up.
- Tickets and access
- A small local entry or parking fee is sometimes collected; carry loose change. No permit beyond the general North Sikkim permit checked further up the road at Chungthang is needed here.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bhim Nala Falls & Chungthang
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Viewable from a roadside pull-off or a very short path, at a comfortably lower altitude than Lachung or Yumthang, with no climbing required; a good stretch stop partway through the long drive up.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where exactly is Bhim Nala Falls?
Beside the Chungthang-Lachung road near Khedum village, roughly 13km short of Lachung.
Is the road through Chungthang currently in good condition?
It varies. Chungthang was badly damaged in the October 2023 floods, and reports into 2025 described patchy, unpaved sections; confirm current conditions with your operator shortly before you travel rather than relying on older accounts.
Is it worth stopping if we're short on time?
Yes, it needs only a brief detour from the road itself and suits travellers who cannot manage a longer walk.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
