North Sikkim Yumthang Yak Hot Springs Rhododendron Gurudongmar Lake

North Sikkim district — the largest and most remote district of Sikkim — contains Gurudongmar Lake at 5,430m (one of the world's highest lakes, sacred to Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists), the Yumthang Valley (Valley of Flowers at 3,564m) with spectacular rhododendron bloom in April, and the Teesta hydro projects. The district's Lachung and Lachen villages are home to Bhutia yak herders who graze their herds on the high-altitude pastures (16,000ft+) in summer. Yak milk, butter, churpi (dried cheese), and yak wool are the economic products of North Sikkim's pastoral economy. The Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary in Yumthang protects 40+ rhododendron species in the Himalayan temperate forest zone.