Good Time
Tsomgo Lake in October
Sikkim, India
October Tsomgo is reborn after monsoon. The lake is mirror-still, the sky is deep blue, and the surrounding hills wear autumn gold.
The October story
Best month for reflection photography. Early morning is glassy calm before the wind picks up around 11am.
Why October scores 4/5
Weather
Post-monsoon clarity
Roads & Access
note: From Gangtok — 40km, 2 hrs on good road. Permit required (arranged by tour operators).. from nearest city: Gangtok 40km, 2 hrs
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. note: No facility at lake. Army camp nearby. Gangtok 40km has STNM Hospital (excellent).. rescue: Army + BRO. ambulance: 108 from Gangtok. nearest hospital: STNM Hospital Gangtok (40km)
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. No signal at lake. All networks in Gangtok.
Kids
Kid-friendly (3/5) — Scenic lake experience, Yak rides available, Snow play in winter
Elevation
3,753m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓photographers
- ✓couples
- ✓families
- ✓nature lovers
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗cold-averse visitors without layers
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 | January Tsomgo is a frozen mirror at 3753m — the lake is solid ice framed by snow-dusted slopes. |
| February | 3/5 | February Tsomgo stays frozen and adds occasional fresh snow for drama. |
| March | 4/5 | March Tsomgo is a split personality — half the lake frozen, half liquid, with the line moving daily. |
| April | 4/5 | April Tsomgo wakes up green. The lake reflects blue sky instead of grey and the surrounding slopes light up with wildflowers. |
| May | 4/5 | May Tsomgo is the postcard version — deep blue water, green slopes, snow peaks behind. |
| June | 2/5 | Monsoon starts |
| July | 2/5 | Peak monsoon |
| August | 2/5 | Monsoon continues |
| September | 2/5 | Late monsoon |
| Octoberviewing | 4/5 | Post-monsoon clarity |
| November | 4/5 | November Tsomgo gets its first ice crystals at the edges while the center stays liquid. |
| December | 3/5 | December Tsomgo begins its annual freeze. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Gangtok 40km, 2 hrs
Elevation
3,753m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
mid-range
Nearby in Sikkim scoring high in October
The Window — every Sunday
Best score this week, the honest skip, road intel, and what changed. Free. No spam.
One email per Sunday. Unsubscribe anytime.