Northeast India GuideWhere India meets the sunrise
StatesPlan a tripPermitsFestivalsTrekkingHeritageThe NortheastInvest & industryPlan a trip
NE India

Green Lake (Zemu)

A remote, restricted trek to the foot of Kanchenjunga's east face

Qwrk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

Home → Trekking → Green Lake (Zemu)

Sikkim Very challenging

The Green Lake trek is one of the most remote and coveted high-altitude routes in India, following the Zemu glacier deep into North Sikkim to Green Lake, a legendary base camp beneath the eastern face of Kanchenjunga. This is serious expedition-grade trekking through pristine, rarely-visited wilderness, with the reward of standing almost alone at the foot of the world's third-highest mountain.

Because it lies in a sensitive border region, Green Lake is a restricted trek requiring special permissions and a registered expedition operator, and is open only in narrow seasonal windows. It is for experienced, well-prepared high-altitude trekkers — but for those who qualify, it is among the most rewarding journeys in the Himalaya.

Green Lake (Zemu)
Photo: Qwrk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The trek at a glance

GradeVery challenging
Duration10–12 days
Best seasonApr–May, Oct
BaseLachen, North Sikkim
Highlights

Why trek Green Lake

  • Green Lake base camp under Kanchenjunga's east face
  • The Zemu glacier, one of the largest in the eastern Himalaya
  • Pristine, rarely-trekked North Sikkim wilderness
  • A true expedition-grade adventure
Check permits Explore Sikkim 💬 Share
💬 Share