The short answer
Yak Golf Course, Kupup: what visitors should know first
Go for the curiosity and the setting, not for a round of golf. Access is controlled by the army, it is often closed in bad weather, and the altitude is demanding. Treat it as a quick stop between Kupup and Nathang.
History and context
The story behind Yak Golf Course, Kupup
Guinness World Records recognises the Yak Golf Course in Kupup, East Sikkim, as the highest golf course, with a recorded altitude of 13,025 feet (3,970 m) measured on 10 October 2006.
Useful facts
Yak Golf Course, Kupup facts at a glance
- Location
- Kupup, East Sikkim
- Sport
- Golf (army course)
- Altitude
- 13,025 ft (3,970 m) per Guinness
- Length
- 6,026 yards per Guinness
- Access
- Army-controlled; may close in bad weather
Why it matters
Why Yak Golf Course, Kupup is worth your time
Guinness World Records lists the Yak Golf Course at Kupup as the highest golf course, at 13,025 feet (3,970 m), measured on 10 October 2006, with a length of 6,026 yards. It is part of an Indian Army base.
For visitors it is a small piece of world-record trivia in a landscape that is mostly about borders, trade and altitude. It also shows how the army shapes life in this part of Sikkim, building and maintaining facilities that civilians can sometimes see.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
World record
Recognised by Guinness as the highest golf course.
- 02
Open valley
A wide, grassy site with mountains around it.
- 03
Army setting
The course sits within an Indian Army base.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat this as a viewing stop. Ask your driver whether the course is open to visitors that day; sources note that it is often closed in bad weather. From the road you can see the open ground and the wide valley around Kupup.
If you are allowed to walk on the edge of the course, keep to the paths and do not enter restricted areas. The air is cold and thin, and the turf may be wet.
Combine this with Elephant Lake, which is a short drive away. Keep the visit short and move on to warmer ground.
Plan with confidence
Event-led places reward a little planning.
- Ask whether the course is open before you stop
- Keep off restricted ground
- Do not photograph military installations
- Dress warmly
- Keep the stop short at this altitude
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Kupup, East Sikkim
- Time needed
- 20-40 minutes
- Best time
- Clear spring or autumn days
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- It is mostly flat grassland, but at about 3,970 m even slow walking is tiring. Stay near the vehicle and keep stops short if you feel breathless.
- Tickets and access
- The course is part of an Indian Army base, so access is not guaranteed and may close at short notice. Do not enter restricted areas or photograph military installations. Playing arrangements are not published in the sources I opened; ask your operator. 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.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Yak Golf Course, Kupup
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
It is mostly flat grassland, but at about 3,970 m even slow walking is tiring. Stay near the vehicle and keep stops short if you feel breathless.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can tourists play golf here?
Playing arrangements are not published in the sources I opened. Ask your operator, and expect that access is controlled by the army.
How high is the course?
Guinness lists 13,025 feet (3,970 m).
Is it open all year?
It is often closed in bad weather and winter snow. Confirm locally.
Sources and further reading
- Guinness World Records: Highest golf course
- Discover with Dheeraj: Old Silk Route, East Sikkim
- Wikipedia: Kupup
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.