Aritar Lake (Lampokhari): Pakyong, Sikkim travel guide

Aritar Lake, also written Lampokhari, is a quiet, boot-shaped sheet of water in Pakyong district, East Sikkim, sitting at about 1,400 m (4,600 ft). It is one of Sikkim’s older natural lakes, ringed by a paved walking path and pine forest, with pedal boats on the water and the small village of Aritar spread across the ridge above. The lake makes a calm, low-altitude base on the lower reaches of the Old Silk Route, well away from Sikkim’s busier circuits.

Aritar Lake (Lampokhari) is a small natural lake in Pakyong district, East Sikkim, at roughly 1,400 m. It is known for pedal boating, a paved lakeside path, the nearby Aritar Gumpa monastery and the 1895 British-era Dak Bungalow, and sits on the lower Old Silk Route toward Zuluk.

About Aritar Lake and quick facts

Aritar Lake sits in Aritar, a hill village in Pakyong district, East Sikkim, under the Rongli sub-division, at about 1,400 m (4,600 ft). According to Wikipedia, the settlement lies on Sikkim’s far eastern edge near the Kalimpong border, which is why it feels a little apart from the state’s main Gangtok–Tsomgo–Pelling routes.

The draw here is slow rather than dramatic: a small lake you can walk around in half an hour, a monastery, an old colonial bungalow, and a cultural hilltop, all within a few kilometres. Most travellers treat Aritar either as a gentle one-night halt or as the comfortable, oxygen-rich base at the foot of the Old Silk Route climb to Zuluk.

The lake is commonly called Lampokhari (the local name) and sometimes Ghati-Tso. Use “Aritar Lake” and “Lampokhari” interchangeably; both refer to the same water body below Aritar village.

The lake: boating and the lakeside path

Boating is the main thing to do at Aritar Lake, on pedal boats across a small, forest-ringed sheet of water with a paved path running right around the shore. The walk around is short and flat — an easy loop suitable for families and older travellers — with benches, prayer flags and a small shrine to Guru Padmasambhava on the bank.

Wikipedia describes Lampokhari as “one of the oldest natural lakes in Sikkim” that was later “constructed to facilitate boating,” so the water is natural in origin but has been built up with a shoreline path and jetty for visitors. Some travel sources go further and call it the first lake in Sikkim set up for paddle boating, or even the only one; treat the “first” and “only” claims as unverified marketing, since other Sikkim lakes also run boats.

Boat hire is bought on the spot from the operator at the jetty; rates are modest and charged per boat for a short circuit. Exact prices are not published officially and change, so carry small cash and confirm the going rate when you arrive. The water is calm and shallow near the edge, but children should wear the life jackets provided.

If you are here in late March or early April, the Lampokhari Tourism Festival is usually held around the lake, with boating, traditional archery, horse riding and short hikes. Dates shift year to year, so confirm the current schedule with the Sikkim tourism department or a local operator before planning around it.

Aritar Gumpa and the heritage Dak Bungalow

Aritar’s two landmark buildings are the Aritar Gumpa, a Karma Kagyu (Kagyupa) Buddhist monastery, and the Aritar Dak Bungalow, a British-era rest house built in 1895. Both are a short drive or walk from the lake and together make the village’s half-day of sightseeing.

The Aritar Gumpa, also linked with the Lingsay/Lingzey area, is described by Wikipedia as one of the oldest and holiest monasteries in Sikkim, of the Kagyupa order, with traditional architecture, carved and painted murals, and old manuscripts and icons. Its founding date is not reliably documented, so treat its exact age as uncertain and simply enjoy the woodwork, the prayer hall and the ridge views. Dress modestly, remove your shoes at the shrine, and ask before photographing the interior.

The Dak Bungalow, popularly called Ari-Bangla, was built in 1895 by Sir James Claude White, described by Wikipedia as Sikkim’s first political officer under British rule. The same source records that Sikkim’s first treasury was set up at the premises, the Sikkim Police was raised there, and the first outpost began functioning in 1897. The timber bungalow, roughly half a kilometre below the lake, is one of the oldest surviving colonial structures in the region and worth a look for its history even where interiors are not open.

Mankhim viewpoint and the Rai hilltop

Mankhim is a hilltop temple and viewpoint above Aritar at about 6,500 ft (around 1,980 m), sacred to the Rai community of Kirati origin, according to Wikipedia. It sits above Kheselakha (Maity) village and gives a sweep over the Aritar valley and, on clear days, the ridgelines toward Kanchenjunga.

The short climb to Mankhim is the usual sunrise outing from Aritar, and the temple is an important cultural site for the Rai people rather than a staged attraction — visit respectfully and keep to the path. The spot is popular for photographs of the valley and the lake far below.

Close by, travel sources and Wikipedia mention Love Dara, a low-hill picnic spot near Aritar, and the Changey waterfall, a roughly 50 m fall near Lampokhari that runs strongest just after the monsoon. These make easy add-ons to a Mankhim morning.

The lower Old Silk Route from Aritar

Aritar is a common base at the foot of the Old Silk Route, the historic India–Tibet trade road that climbs from the Rongli valley up through Zuluk and Kupup toward the Nathu La pass. The Pakyong district administration describes Aritar as a picturesque starting point on this Silk Route circuit, with Zuluk sitting higher up at around 10,000 ft (about 3,000 m).

From Aritar, most itineraries drop to Rongli to complete permit formalities, then climb to Zuluk for a night, continuing next day over the famous switchback road — the stretch travel sources describe as roughly 30-plus hairpin bends below Lungthung — to the Thambi View Point and Kupup. The big draw up top is the dawn Kanchenjunga view and the old caravan road itself, not another lake.

Crucially, the climb takes you from Aritar’s comfortable 1,400 m to well over 3,000 m within a few hours, so the lake makes a sensible acclimatisation halt before you go high. Keep in mind that the high passes above remain snow-covered from roughly November to April, per the district administration, which closes parts of the route in deep winter.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Aritar is April to June and September to November, when days are mild (roughly 10–20°C) and skies are often clear, according to Silk Route travel guidance current as of October 2026. These windows also give the best odds of mountain views from Mankhim and clear driving on the route above.

Winter (December to February) is cold, with sub-zero nights and snow higher up that can close the Zuluk road from around January. The monsoon (July to early September) brings fog, heavy cloud and a real landslide risk on hill roads, though the waterfalls run full and wildflowers bloom. Aritar itself, being low, stays accessible for most of the year even when the high route does not.

How to reach Aritar

Aritar is reached by road from Gangtok, Rangpo or Kalimpong; the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and the practical airport is Bagdogra (IXB), both in West Bengal. There is no rail or air link to Aritar itself, so the last leg is always a shared or private hill vehicle.

By air, Bagdogra remains the reliable gateway. Sikkim’s own Pakyong airport (PYG) resumed limited commercial flights in January 2026 after a long suspension, but services are thin and weather-dependent — Pakyong is a visual-flight-rules airport without instrument landing — so book Bagdogra as your main option and treat Pakyong as a bonus if a flight suits, as of October 2026.

By rail, NJP near Siliguri is the major railhead; from there it is a hill drive via Rangpo and Rongli, or via Kalimpong and Pedong, to Aritar. By road from Kalimpong, the darjeeling-tourism route guide gives about 58 km (roughly 2.5 hours) via Algarah, Pedong and Reshikhola. Hire a Sikkim-registered vehicle for anything continuing onto the Silk Route.

Permits and rules

No permit is required for Indian visitors to reach Aritar village and the lake, but the Old Silk Route stretch above it — Zuluk, Kupup and toward Nathu La — needs a Protected Area Permit (PAP) because it runs close to the Tibet border. This is the key rule to plan around if Aritar is your springboard for the route.

According to Silk Route travel guidance, Indian tourists obtain the PAP at the SDPO office in Rongli Bazaar (reported open until about 2 pm on weekdays and 11 am on Saturdays, closed Sundays) or through a Sikkim tourism office or registered operator in Gangtok. You typically need two passport-size photos and an original photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID or passport — PAN card is not accepted); the reported fee is small, around ₹200 for a small group, as of October 2026. A Sikkim-registered vehicle is required on the route and self-drive rentals are not allowed. Reconfirm all of this with the Rongli SDPO or the Sikkim tourism department before you travel, as rules change.

Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit simply to enter Sikkim and, per the same guidance, are generally not permitted onto the Zuluk/Silk Route stretch — foreigners should route through a government-registered Sikkim operator and confirm current access. At the lake itself, follow basic rules: no littering or plastic dumping, no loud music, and respect the monastery and the Rai temple at Mankhim as places of worship.

Where to stay

Most stays in Aritar are homestays and small guesthouses in the village and around the lake, with a scattering of budget resorts; there are no large hotels. Booking ahead is wise in the April–June and October–November peaks and essential around the Lampokhari festival.

Homestays here are family-run and often include home-cooked meals, which is the nicest way to experience the Rai and Sikkimese kitchen. The nearby hamlet of Makhim also has basic homestays, per route guides, useful as an overflow or a quieter base. The figures below are indicative planning estimates — reconfirm at booking — and dated October 2026.

Food to try

Food in Aritar is simple Sikkimese and Nepali home cooking, built around rice, lentils and local greens, usually eaten at your homestay. There are few standalone restaurants, so meals are mostly whatever the host kitchen is serving that day.

• Dal-bhat (rice with lentil curry, vegetables and a pickle) — the everyday Sikkimese and Nepali plate.
• Momos (steamed dumplings filled with vegetables, chicken or pork) with a fiery chutney.
• Thukpa (a hearty noodle soup with vegetables or meat) — warming on a cold evening.
• Gundruk and sinki (fermented leafy greens and radish) — tangy local sides, often in a soup.
• Sel roti (a sweet, ring-shaped rice bread) and churpi (hard local cheese), common in the hills.
• Tongba (a warm millet beer sipped through a bamboo straw) — a Himalayan speciality where available.

Carry snacks and water for the Silk Route day, as hot food above Aritar is limited to a few tea stops.

Budget breakdown

A simple two-night Aritar trip costs roughly ₹4,500–8,000 per person as a planning estimate, excluding the long-distance train or flight to NJP/Bagdogra. The biggest variables are how you cover the hill transport (shared versus private vehicle) and whether you add the permit-and-vehicle cost of the Silk Route leg.

Practical tips

Aritar is low and easy, but it is remote, so plan for patchy connectivity and little cash on hand. BSNL and Jio tend to work best in this part of East Sikkim; signal is thin above the village. Carry enough cash from Rangpo or Gangtok, as ATMs are scarce and UPI can fail without signal.

• Cash and ATMs: withdraw at Rangpo, Gangtok or Kalimpong; do not rely on cards or UPI in Aritar or on the route.
• Health: the nearest sizeable hospitals are at Rongli, Pakyong and Gangtok; carry a basic kit and any personal medicines.
• Altitude: Aritar is low, but if you continue to Zuluk (over 3,000 m) acclimatise and go slow; descend if you feel unwell.
• Solo and women travellers: East Sikkim is generally calm and safe; still travel the route by day and keep homestay hosts informed of plans.
• Packing: layers and a warm jacket year-round, rain gear in the monsoon, and sturdy shoes for Mankhim.
• Vehicle: for the Silk Route you must use a Sikkim-registered vehicle with a local driver; arrange it in Rongli, Gangtok or Kalimpong.

Nearby places

Aritar pairs naturally with the lower Silk Route and the Kalimpong-side hills, so most trips string together two or three of the spots below. Our wider Sikkim travel guide sets these in the context of the whole state.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Aritar Lake and how high is it?

Aritar Lake (Lampokhari) is in Aritar village, Rongli sub-division, Pakyong district, East Sikkim, at about 1,400 m (4,600 ft) per Wikipedia. It sits on Sikkim’s eastern edge near the Kalimpong border and acts as a low, mild base below the Old Silk Route climb to Zuluk.

Do I need a permit to visit Aritar Lake?

No permit is needed for Indian visitors to reach Aritar village and the lake itself. A Protected Area Permit is required only for the Silk Route stretch above — Zuluk and Kupup — obtained at the Rongli SDPO office or via a Gangtok operator. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for Sikkim and are generally barred from Zuluk, as of October 2026.

What is the best time to visit Aritar?

The best time is April to June and September to November, with mild 10–20°C days and clearer skies, per Silk Route travel guidance as of October 2026. Winter is cold with possible snow and road closures above Aritar, while the July–early September monsoon brings fog and landslide risk on the hill roads.

How do I reach Aritar from Gangtok or NJP?

From Gangtok, Aritar is about 67 km, a 3–4 hour hill drive via Rangpo and Rongli. From New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station, drive via Rangpo, or via Kalimpong and Pedong (about 58 km, 2.5 hours from Kalimpong). The usual airport is Bagdogra; Pakyong has only limited, weather-dependent flights.

What can you do at Aritar Lake?

At Aritar Lake you can ride pedal boats, walk the paved path around the water, and visit the Aritar Gumpa monastery, the 1895 Dak Bungalow (Ari-Bangla) and the Mankhim viewpoint. Many travellers also use Aritar as an acclimatisation base before driving up the Old Silk Route to Zuluk and Kupup.

Is Aritar a good base for the Old Silk Route?

Yes. Aritar is a comfortable, low-altitude base at the foot of the Silk Route, with Rongli’s permit office close by and Zuluk a half-day drive up. Staying here lets you acclimatise at 1,400 m before climbing above 3,000 m, and the district administration lists Aritar as a starting point on the circuit.

Last updated and sources

Aritar suits travellers who want a calm lake, some heritage and a soft landing before the Old Silk Route, rather than big-ticket sights. Come in spring or autumn for the clearest views and the easiest driving.

Last updated: 15 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Wikipedia, “Aritar, Sikkim”; Pakyong District Administration, “Silk Route Circuit of Sikkim”; Darjeeling-Tourism.com, Zuluk and Silk Route permits and routes; Outlook Traveller, “6 lesser-known destinations of the Eastern Himalayas”; and news reports on Pakyong airport’s 2026 flight resumption (The Week, NE Now). Accessed October 2026.