North Sikkim: Lachung & Lachen · viewpoint

Yumesamdong (Zero Point)

Where the civilian road ends, at about 4,700 m

Altitude4,700m Nights0 BestMar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Sujay25 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In brief

Yumesamdong, sold as Zero Point, is the end of the civilian road in the Lachung valley, about 23 km beyond Yumthang at roughly 4,700 m. It is bare, high and usually snowy from November to May. It costs ₹3,000–4,500 extra per vehicle. Indians only; check current status before you travel.

The local story

The end of the road at the head of the valley

Tourists call it Zero Point because this is where the road stops for civilians. Beyond, the valley belongs to the Indian Army and the high passes toward Tibet. The name Yumesamdong is older, the herders' and traders' name for the high ground at the head of the Lachung Chu, where the river begins from glaciers and snowfields.

In 1849 the botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker crossed from the Lachen side of the range into the Lachung valley, and his Himalayan Journals describe a camping ground he called Momay Samdong at its head, with hot springs nearby. It is generally taken to be today's Yumesamdong. Hooker was looking for rhododendrons and the limit of plant life; up here he found mostly rock, moss and cold wind, which is what you will find too. The modern road arrived much later, built for the army, and was opened to Indian tourists with permits as North Sikkim tourism grew from the 1990s.

Zero Point is about 23 km beyond Yumthang Valley and roughly 1,100 m higher, a climb most vehicles make in 60–90 minutes.

Foreign nationals on a Protected Area Permit have not been allowed to Zero Point; it has been open to Indian citizens only.

Joseph Hooker's 1849 journals describe a camp he called Momay Samdong at the head of the Lachung valley, generally identified with Yumesamdong.

About Yumesamdong (Zero Point)

Zero Point is the high, open end of the Lachung valley: snowfields, glacial streams, bare moraine and peaks on three sides, with a few tea stalls and army posts. There is no village. You come on the morning of your Yumthang day, stay 30–60 minutes and go back down. Most of the year there is snow, deep from December to April and patchy in October.

It is a big jump in height. You sleep in Lachung at about 2,700 m and climb to roughly 4,700 m in two hours. Headaches and breathlessness are common, and young children, older people and anyone with heart or lung disease should think twice. Weather and snow close the road often, so the add-on is confirmed only on the day. Check current status before you travel.

What to see and do

Snow most of the year

From roughly November to May, Zero Point has snow, often deep enough for snowball fights and sliding. It is the most reliable snow you can reach by road in Sikkim, which is why families pay the extra.

The bare high valley

Above the treeline the valley opens into rock, moraine and snow, with glacial streams crossing the road. It is stark and quiet when the jeeps leave. Look for the river's first channels coming down from the snow.

Tea at 4,700 m

Seasonal stalls sell tea, coffee, butter tea and Maggi. A hot cup is the best thing to do here, and the prices are fair for the height: ₹60–150 for most items.

A study in altitude

Zero Point is roughly as high as the base of many Himalayan treks. You feel it in a few steps. Walk slowly and keep the visit to under an hour.

The drive above Yumthang

The 23 km above Yumthang climbs through the last rhododendron scrub, past the treeline and onto open moraine. Clear October mornings give the best views of the peaks around the valley head.

How to get there

Add-on from Lachung: Ask your Gangtok agent or driver to add Zero Point to your Yumthang morning. It costs about ₹3,000–4,500 per vehicle, so the per-person cost drops if your shared vehicle is full. Confirmation depends on road and snow conditions that morning.
Reserved vehicle: With a reserved car from Gangtok, include Zero Point in the price when you book and agree what happens if the road is closed. Leave Lachung at 5.30–6 am to be back by noon.

Where to stay

There is nowhere to stay at Zero Point; it is a day visit only. Everyone sleeps in Lachung, about 47 km and 2–2.5 hours down the valley via Yumthang. Book a room with heating in Lachung for the night before, since you will start in the cold at 5.30–6 am. Family homestays cost about ₹1,500–2,500 per person with meals; Yarlam Resort is the comfortable option.

Local tips

Stay no more than 30–60 minutes and do not run or climb the slopes.
Wear sunglasses and sunscreen; snow glare at this height burns quickly.
Skip Zero Point with children under five, and if anyone has heart or lung problems.
Agree the add-on price with your driver before leaving Lachung, and whether it is refunded if the road is closed.
Carry back every wrapper and bottle; there is no rubbish collection up here.

02,7005,400

Altitude4,700 m

Very high: go up and come down the same day, and skip it with heart or lung trouble.

What it costs here

Zero Point add-on from Lachung₹3,000–4,500 per vehicle

Snow boots and long coat rental₹100–300 each

Maggi, tea or coffee at stalls₹60–150

Portable oxygen can₹500–900

Toilet at stalls, where available₹10–20

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Mar – May · Oct – Nov
Nights we suggest: 0 (half-day from Lachung)
From Lachung: ≈ 47 km · 2–2.5 h via Yumthang
Altitude: ≈ 4,700 m
Known for: Snow most of the year, end of the civilian road
Network: None for tourists

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Yumesamdong (Zero Point)

Adventure · 4–5 hours return from LachungA snow morning at Zero PointYumesamdong (Zero Point) · ₹3,000–4,500 per vehicle

Viewpoints · 1.5 hours each wayAbove the treeline from YumthangYumesamdong (Zero Point) · Part of the Zero Point add-on

Food · 30 minutesMaggi and butter tea at the topYumesamdong (Zero Point) · ₹60–150

Viewpoints · 45 minutesGlacial streams and the valley headYumesamdong (Zero Point) · Part of the Zero Point add-on

On the map

Yumesamdong (Zero Point) and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Close by

Nearby places

valley3,564 m Yumthang Valley Rhododendron valley at 3,564 m, with a hot spring by the river

village2,700 m Lachung The small pass, run by its own village council since the 1800s

Ways to travel

Snow and high passes Family trips Photography

Questions people ask

Questions about Yumesamdong (Zero Point)

What is Zero Point in Sikkim?

Zero Point is the popular name for Yumesamdong, the end of the civilian road at the head of the Lachung valley in North Sikkim, at about 4,700 m. Beyond it the area is under army control. It is visited as a half-day add-on from Lachung, mainly for snow.

How far is Zero Point from Lachung?

About 47 km, via Yumthang Valley: 24 km to Yumthang and roughly 23 km more to Zero Point. The drive takes two to two and a half hours each way with stops. Tours leave Lachung around 6 am and are usually back by noon.

Can foreigners go to Zero Point?

No, not as of our last check. Foreign nationals with a Protected Area Permit have been allowed to Lachung and Yumthang, but Zero Point has been open only to Indian citizens. Rules change, so ask your registered agent and check current status before you travel.

Is Zero Point safe for children?

It is risky for small children. At about 4,700 m, children may not be able to say they feel unwell. We advise against taking children under five and suggest Yumthang, at 3,564 m, as the snow stop instead. Older children should stay under an hour and be watched closely.

What is the best time to visit Zero Point?

March to May for deep snow with milder days, and October to November for clear skies and fewer crowds. December to February is very cold and the road often closes with fresh snow. June to September brings monsoon landslides on the way. Check current status before you travel.

Is Zero Point worth the extra cost?

It is worth it if your group is healthy, wants snow and the vehicle is shared, which lowers the cost per head. If you have small children, older parents or anyone unwell, skip it; Yumthang alone is a full morning, and the money is better spent on an extra night in Lachung.

What should I wear to Zero Point?

Thermal inner layers, a fleece, a windproof down jacket or rented long coat, a woollen cap, gloves, waterproof boots and sunglasses. Rent boots and coats in Lachung for ₹100–300. Temperatures are well below freezing in winter mornings and windy year-round.

Is Zero Point the same as Katao?

No. Katao is a different high area reached from Lachung on a separate road, opened to visitors at some times and closed at others. Zero Point is at Yumesamdong beyond Yumthang. Ask your agent which is open; permissions for Katao in particular change often.

What are the signs of altitude sickness at Zero Point?

Headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual tiredness and breathlessness at rest are early signs. Confusion, loss of balance or a wet cough are serious. Anyone with these should go down at once. Do not sleep in the vehicle on the way up, and do not drink alcohol the night before.