The short answer
Kupup and Elephant Lake: what visitors should know first
A scenic stop if you can handle roughly 3,900 m: the lake and surrounding valley are calm and wide. Keep it short, stay warm, and skip it if you feel unwell. Weather can make visibility poor.
Useful facts
Kupup and Elephant Lake facts at a glance
- Location
- Kupup, near the Jelep La, East Sikkim
- Experience type
- Glacial lake and valley
- Known for
- Elephant Lake / Bitang Tso, Dongkya views
- Altitude
- Kupup about 3,940 m
- Population
- About 250 in 2017 per Wikipedia
Why it matters
Why Kupup and Elephant Lake is worth your time
Wikipedia notes that Bitang Tso is conventionally regarded as the source of the Dichu river, one of the streams that drain this part of Sikkim. The lake sits in a transverse valley below the Dongkya range near the Jelep La, in a landscape shaped by glacial action.
For visitors, it is a reminder of how high the Silk Route climbs and how fragile the high-altitude environment is. It is also a border area, so follow your driver's guidance on where you may stop.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Two names
Known as Elephant Lake in English and Bitang Tso in Tibetan.
- 02
River source
Conventionally seen as the source of the Dichu river.
- 03
Dongkya backdrop
A wide valley with mountains behind on clear days.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Drive from Nathang or Zuluk, usually in the morning when skies are clearer. The lake appears below the road, set in a grassy, rather marshy valley with the Dongkya range behind. Park at a viewpoint and walk the short distance to the shore if conditions allow.
The lake is known in English as Elephant Lake; the Tibetan name Bitang Tso is also used, and Wikipedia gives it as meaning the lake of the cow-yak. Take photographs from above and from the lake's edge, but do not wander onto marshy ground.
Keep the stop short because of altitude and wind. Warm clothing, gloves and a hat are essential even in summer. Check conditions with your driver, as cloud and snow can limit the view.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Carry warm layers and a windproof jacket
- Keep the stop short because of altitude
- Stay on firm ground; the valley is marshy
- Check weather before heading up
- Do not wander beyond marked civilian areas
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Kupup, East Sikkim, near the Jelep La
- Time needed
- 45-90 minutes
- Best time
- Clear days in spring and autumn
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Kupup sits at about 3,940 m, so even short walks tire quickly. Roadside views are available without much effort. Keep to flat ground, rest often and be cautious if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Tickets and access
- Zuluk lies in a border area. Sources describe a Protected Area Permit for Indian nationals only, issued at Rongli, with photo ID and photographs; rules and offices change, so confirm with Sikkim Tourism or your registered operator before travelling. Access beyond certain points is restricted to civilians, so follow your driver's guidance.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kupup and Elephant Lake
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Kupup sits at about 3,940 m, so even short walks tire quickly. Roadside views are available without much effort. Keep to flat ground, rest often and be cautious if you have heart or lung conditions.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
What is Elephant Lake?
It is Bitang Tso, also called Kupup Lake, a glacial lake next to the hamlet of Kupup.
How high is Kupup?
Wikipedia gives 3,940 m. Allow time to acclimatise.
Is Kupup open all year?
Winter snow can close the road. Check with local operators before travelling.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Kupup
- Darjeeling Tourism: Zuluk and the Silk Route
- Discover with Dheeraj: Old Silk Route, East Sikkim
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
