Thangu Valley

Around 30 kilometers from Lachen at nearly 3,900 meters, Thangu Valley is a small settlement of wooden homes that most travelers pass through on the way to Gurudongmar Lake and Kalapatthar. Its altitude makes it a natural stop to acclimatize, and roadside shacks here rent snow boots and warm layers for the climb ahead. Snow capped peaks and alpine forest surround the valley, and the resident community offers a glimpse of traditional high Himalayan life largely untouched by heavier tourism.