Mangan
Gateway to North Sikkim
Mangan, the headquarters of North Sikkim, is the gateway to the most spectacular high country in the state — the road through it leads to Lachen, Lachung, the Yumthang 'valley of flowers' and the sacred plateau lake of Gurudongmar. Known as the 'large cardamom capital of the world', it sits amid forests and cardamom plantations on the road north from Gangtok.
The town itself is a quiet administrative centre, but as the last major stop before the high Himalaya it is the point where North Sikkim permits and 4WD journeys are organised. It hosts a well-known music festival and offers fine views of Kanchenjunga's northern faces.
What it's known for
- The gateway and permit base for North Sikkim
- The 'large cardamom capital of the world'
- The road to Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang
- Lepcha culture and Kanchenjunga views
What to see in & around Mangan
See & do
- The onward road to Yumthang and Gurudongmar (permit required)
- Cardamom plantations and forest viewpoints
- Singhik viewpoint for Kanchenjunga
- Lepcha villages and the Mangan music festival
Getting there
About 3 hours by road north of Gangtok; North Sikkim beyond needs a Protected Area Permit and a registered operator.