Viewpoints · Kupup
The army's Yak Golf Course
On a rare flat stretch of valley near Kupup, the Indian Army keeps the Yak Golf Course, often described as one of the highest golf courses in the world. Visitors see it from the road. It is a strange, memorable sight among rock and snow.
Flat ground is scarce at 4,000 m, and on one of the few level stretches near Kupup the Indian Army laid out a golf course for its officers and guests. It is known as the Yak Golf Course, and it is often described, including by the army, as one of the highest golf courses in the world. The fairways are rough alpine grass, the greens are small, and in winter the whole course disappears under snow.
Tourists usually see it only from the road, where drivers stop for photographs. Playing is not open to the public; it is managed by the army for its own people and invited guests. Do not walk onto the course or into the army area around it, and ask before photographing anything near the camp.
The stop is short but it adds a wry note to a day of passes, lakes and memorials. Combine it with the Elephant Lake viewpoint nearby, and keep the visit to a few minutes: the wind here is cold in every month, and at this height you will feel short of breath just walking back to the car.
Cost: Free to view from the road
Questions people ask
Good to know
Can tourists play golf at Kupup?
No. The Yak Golf Course is run by the Indian Army for its officers and invited guests, and is not open to the public. Tourists view it from the road. Do not walk onto the course or into the surrounding army area.
Is the Yak Golf Course the highest in the world?
It is often described as one of the highest golf courses in the world, at about 4,000 m. Claims about the highest course vary, and we would not treat any single claim as settled. Either way, it is a remarkable place to see a golf course.
Is the Yak Golf Course on the way to Tsomgo?
It is near Kupup, on the Silk Route between Gnathang and the Nathu La road. If your permit and car allow the crossing from Kupup to Tsomgo, you pass it on the way. It is not on the standard Gangtok–Tsomgo day trip, which turns back before Kupup.
Also in Kupup
More things to do
Viewpoints · 20–30 minutesElephant Lake from the road above KupupKupup · Included in your Silk Route car
Culture and history · 30 minutes, as part of the driveLooking up the old road to Jelep LaKupup · Free
Adventure · 2.5–3.5 hours to GangtokOver the top from Kupup to TsomgoKupup · Part of a ₹5,000–7,000 a day SUV