Tosar Lake Trek: North Sikkim
 

Duration: 12 days with 11 Nights
Elevation: Max 3249 meters.
Grade: Moderate.
The Tosar Lake in North District was proposed by the Mangan Tourism Development Committee (M.T.D.C) for development of Tourism in North Sikkim. Mangan Tourism Development Committee is a registered body (N.G.O) formed to develop Eco-Tourism in the North District as per the policy of the State Government.
A recce to the Tosar lake area was jointly conducted by the representative of the TOURISM Department & Forest, Environment and Wildlife management Department, Government of Sikkim on the request of Mangan Tourism Development Committee from 19th to 25th of july 2006. The report of the recce team with the proposed route for trekking to Tosar lake and photographs of its surrounding areas with map was submitted to the Department for an official recognition of the proposed trek as requested by the M.T.D.C. As per the direction of the department, Mangan Tourism Development Committee has submitted Environment Management Plan which is enclosed here with for reference.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
The Geographical area of North Sikkim is 4226 sq km. The proposed trek to Tosar Lake is located between 88’45’ North Longitude and 27’28’ to 27’30’ East Latitude.

The Mangan Ridge is an East –West running ridge that straddles the centre of North Sikkim. At the eastern end of the ridge is the Chola Range. Tosar Lake is located at the junction of the Mangan Ridge & the Chola Range. The maximum height of the ridge is about 4340 mtrs at Maram Chu. The other important peaks on the Managan Ridge are Phyakchung about 3740 mtrs, Anden peak – 3700 mtrs and Pandot Peak 2375 mtrs. The important spur is the Phodong spur running south wards from the main ridge. The Southern face of the Mangan Ridge is very steep where as the Northern face slope is gentler. The proposed trek passes through the Northern slope of the Mangan Ridge.

The Tosar Lake is located at the altitude of 4000 mtrs or 13120 ft. To the South- East of the Lake is a giant cliff/mountain over looking the Lake which is considered scared and worshipped by the local people. The outlet of the Lake flows downward North- westwards which forms the main source of Cha king Chu.

DESCRIPTION OF TREK:
The proposed trek is to follow old traditional Yak and Cow trails in the Reserve Forest starting from Naga RF, Real RF, Meyong RF and Kaley RF with an altitude ranging from 1800 mtrs to 4000 mtrs at Tosar lake. It passes through wet temperate Foret of broad leaved species and bamboos, temperate forest of conifer & Queraus (Oak), Sub-Alpine forest of Conifer and Rhododendron and moist Alpine forest of Rhododendron mixed with Conifer and Alpine flora. The located of the trek identified are Mangan – Naga Village- Naksuk Forest (Naga RF) – Sohar-Dhe-Sohar Antsok patam Valley-Tosar Lake-Maram-Meyong Tar-Kaley Village & back. The designated camp site and route.

BASE CAMP: The base camp of the trek is at Mangan, the District Head Quarter of North Sikkim. It is about two and half hour drive from Gangtok. IT can be accessed directly from Siliguri via Singtam about five hour drive, the Government Tourist Lodge and hotels are available in and around Mangan Bazar.

You can stay in trekker's huts or in tents, on the trek. On termination, you get a chance of visiting Yoksom, and Pamayangtse and exploring the famous Buddhist Monastery. The last day is spent in Darjeeling. During this leg of the adventure we stay at the best available hotels.

Alternates: 08 days adventure with 06 days trekking upto Zongri, 4320 mtr.