Wildlife and birds · Yumthang Valley
Yak meadows along the Lachung Chu
When the snow goes, Lachung's herders bring yaks and cattle up to graze Yumthang's meadows. A slow walk along the river on the valley floor shows you the summer pasture life that made this valley open grassland in the first place.
Yumthang's open meadows exist because of grazing. Herders from Lachung move animals up to the high pastures as the snow melts and back down before winter, a seasonal pattern common across the Himalaya. In summer you may see yaks, dzo (yak and cattle crosses) and cows across the valley floor, with herders' temporary huts at the edges.
Walk along the river on the flat valley floor for an hour or so. The ground is soft and sometimes boggy, so keep to the drier ridges and avoid trampling flowers. In June and early July the meadows hold primulas, poppies and iris; by September the grass is turning brown and the light is sharper.
Keep 20–30 m from yaks, especially those with calves; they are big animals and can charge if crowded. Do not feed them. If herders are nearby, a greeting and a question before a photo is polite. Monsoon months bring the best flowers and the worst roads, so check current status before you travel.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
Can I see yaks in Yumthang?
Often, especially from late spring to autumn when herders bring animals up to the summer pastures. Numbers vary, and some days you will see only a few. In winter most animals are kept lower down. Watch from a distance, do not feed them, and ask herders before taking close photographs.
Are yak rides available in Yumthang?
Sometimes, at the busier stops, local people offer short yak rides or photos for a fee of about ₹100–300. It is informal and not always available. Make sure an owner holds the animal, and skip it if the yak seems stressed by the crowd.
Is Yumthang open in the monsoon?
The valley is accessible in some monsoon weeks, but the North Sikkim road from Gangtok is often closed by landslides from June to August. Tours may be cancelled at short notice. If you go, keep spare days and check current status before you travel.
Also in Yumthang Valley
More things to do
Wildlife and birds · 2–3 hoursRhododendrons of the Shingba sanctuaryYumthang Valley · Included in Lachung tours
Culture and history · 45 minutesA warm soak at the Yumthang hot springYumthang Valley · Free
Adventure · 2 hoursA snow day on the valley floor in MarchYumthang Valley · Boot and coat rental ₹100–300