The rewarding journey - Lachen is a town in Mangan district a laid back and non descript hamlet from where is launched the most exciting excursion ,in the country ,to Kalapatthar where you find snow throughout the year and Chopta Valley which is flooded with flowers in the season the altitude of both the places is about 15000ft above MSL and then you visit the crowning glory of all The Gurudongmar lake situated at an altitude of 17800ft. Driving through the cold desert you may see wild ass wild yak, deer and owls , vultures and crow the dry cold wind blows at speeds of 30 to 40 kms per hour in the vicinity of the lake, a mystical lake which makes you dumbstruck when it unfolds itself in between snow clad mountains. Lachung is another town 60kms from Lachen almost similar to Lachen from here you go to Yumthang valley which is populated with a host of rhodendron flowers in the season ,March to May , it’s altitude is about 12000 ft and further to it is zeropoint where you find snow throughout the year it’s altitude is about 15000ft .Beyond this point civilians are not allowed. In nutshell it is one of the most pristine place to visit not only in the country but in the world too. The accommodations are reasonably good and roads are motorable but you need tough vehicles.