nature · Aritar, Gangtok
Rowing on Lampokhari Lake at first light
Lampokhari sits in a fold of the hill below Aritar bazaar. The name is usually read as Nepali for a long pond, and that is what it looks like from above: a slim sheet of water, around 1,400 m up, with trees on both sides and a path running round. It is one of very few lakes in Sikkim where you can take a boat out, which is why weekend day-trippers from Rangpo, Pakyong and Gangtok come in good numbers.
Go early. In the first hour after sunrise the water is still and the reflections are clean, and you may have the place almost to yourself. Boats are hired at the small jetty when it opens in the morning; rates are low, roughly ₹50–200 per person, indicative 2026. Children must wear the life jackets provided. If you prefer to stay ashore, the walk around the lake takes 30–45 minutes at an easy pace.
After the lake, walk or drive up to Ari Bangla, the 1895 dak bungalow on the ridge, for the view back down over the water. In spring the slopes around the lake carry flowering trees, and in October and November the air is clear and dry. During the monsoon months the paths are slippery and leechy, and boating may stop after heavy rain. Ask your homestay about the opening time on the day.
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Questions people ask
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Is boating allowed on Lampokhari Lake in Aritar
Yes. Lampokhari is one of very few lakes in Sikkim where you can hire a boat. Boats run from a small jetty, usually from morning to late afternoon, at roughly ₹50–200 per person, indicative 2026. Life jackets are provided and children must wear them. Boating may pause after heavy rain or during local events, so ask your homestay in the morning.
How long does it take to walk around Lampokhari Lake
About 30–45 minutes at an easy pace on the path around the lake. The path is mostly level, with a few uneven and muddy patches, so wear proper shoes rather than sandals. Seniors can manage it comfortably with breaks. In the monsoon months from June to September, watch for leeches and slippery stones near the water.
Is Lampokhari Lake crowded
It can be on weekends and holidays, when day-trippers come from Rangpo, Pakyong and Gangtok, mostly between late morning and mid-afternoon. Early mornings and weekdays are quiet. If you are staying overnight in Aritar, walk down at sunrise and again in the late afternoon, when the light is softer and the crowds have gone.
