Pelling Travel Guide: Kanchenjunga Views, Monasteries, Lakes, Yuksom and Travel Tips
Welcome to our Pelling travel guide. Pelling is a small hill town in West Sikkim, at about 2,000 metres, facing the full range of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain. On a clear morning, the snow peaks seem close enough to touch. Around the town are old monasteries, the ruins of a royal capital, a sacred lake, waterfalls and quiet villages. This guide covers the best places to visit, things to do, Yuksom, food, the best time to visit, how to get there and travel tips.
Pelling at a Glance
Here are the key facts in our Pelling travel guide.
- Region: West Sikkim; read our Sikkim travel guide
- Nearest airport: Bagdogra, about five hours by road; Pakyong also has a few flights
- Nearest railway station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about five hours by road
- Known for: Kanchenjunga sunrise, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse, Khecheopalri Lake and the Pelling Skywalk
- Days needed: one to three
- Best time: October to December and March to May
Kanchenjunga Views from Pelling
Every Pelling travel guide starts with the mountain. Wake before dawn and watch the first light turn Kanchenjunga and its neighbouring peaks pink and gold, from your hotel or from the helipad and viewpoints in Upper Pelling. The views are clearest from October to December. Kanchenjunga, spelt Khangchendzonga in Sikkim, is sacred to the Sikkimese, and the Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects the land below it.
Shamrock travel tip: clouds often build by mid-morning, so plan your viewing for sunrise, and ask for a mountain-facing room. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.
Best Places to Visit in Pelling
Here are the main sights in our Pelling travel guide.
Pemayangtse Monastery
Founded in the early 18th century, Pemayangtse is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim. Inside, look for the carved wooden model of Guru Rinpoche’s heavenly palace, made by a single lama over many years.
Rabdentse Ruins
A short forest walk from Pemayangtse leads to the stone ruins of Rabdentse, the second capital of the old kingdom of Sikkim, with views across the valley to the mountains.
Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue
Walk out on the glass Pelling Skywalk to the tall statue of Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion, beside the old Sangachoeling Monastery. A pavilion of Buddhist prayer wheels looks out to the peaks.
Khecheopalri Lake
About an hour from Pelling, this quiet lake in the forest is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus and is known as the wish-fulfilling lake. Walk to it along a wooden path lined with prayer flags, and keep silent near the water.
Waterfalls and Bridges
See Kanchenjunga Falls and Rimbi Falls on the road to Khecheopalri and Yuksom, and the high Singshore Bridge over a deep gorge near Dentam.
Yuksom: The First Capital
Our Pelling travel guide also covers Yuksom, about two hours away, where the first king of Sikkim was crowned at the stone throne of Norbugang. Visit Dubdi Monastery, one of the oldest in Sikkim, and Kathok Lake. Yuksom is the starting point for treks to Dzongri and Goecha La, into the Khangchendzonga National Park.
Villages and Monasteries Nearby
For a quieter stay, our Pelling travel guide suggests village homestays in Darap, Rinchenpong or Uttarey, and a visit to Tashiding Monastery, on a hilltop between two rivers, best known for the Bumchu festival.
Things to Do in Pelling
- Watch sunrise on Kanchenjunga
- Visit Pemayangtse and walk to Rabdentse
- Walk the Pelling Skywalk
- Make a wish at Khecheopalri Lake
- Take short hikes in the forests around the town
- Go bird watching and photograph the mountains
- Stay in a village homestay and try local food
Pelling Tour Packages and Suggested Stays
This Pelling travel guide suggests these lengths of stay:
- Pelling 1 night 2 days tour package: Kanchenjunga sunrise, Pemayangtse and Rabdentse.
- Pelling 2 nights 3 days tour package: add the Skywalk, Khecheopalri Lake, the waterfalls and Yuksom.
Our Pelling tour packages come with hotel and car for families, couples and groups, as private or guided tours. The Pelling tour package price depends on your hotel, the season and the number of travellers. Most guests join Pelling with Gangtok and Darjeeling in a Pelling Gangtok tour package; see all our Sikkim Darjeeling tour packages.
Food in Pelling
Food is part of every Pelling travel guide. Try momos, thukpa, gundruk, sel roti and fresh local vegetables, and in village homestays, home-cooked Sikkimese meals with rice, dal and local greens.
How to Reach Pelling
This part of our Pelling travel guide explains how to get there.
By Air and Train
Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), then drive about five hours to Pelling.
By Road
Pelling is about four to five hours from Gangtok and from Darjeeling, along mountain roads.
Best Time to Visit Pelling
Our Pelling travel guide suggests October to December for the clearest views of Kanchenjunga, and March to May for rhododendrons and flowers. December to February is cold but often clear. June to September is the monsoon, with clouds and landslides.
Pelling Travel Tips
Before you go, read these tips from our Pelling travel guide.
- Book a mountain-view room; it makes the stay.
- Pack warm clothes for early mornings and evenings.
- Carry cash, as ATMs and card machines are few.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and keep quiet at Khecheopalri Lake.
- Leave spare time for weather and road delays.
Pelling Travel Guide FAQs
How many days are enough for Pelling?
One night for the sunrise and the main sights, two nights to add Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksom.
Do I need a permit for Pelling?
Indian nationals need no extra permit for Pelling. Foreign nationals need the Restricted Area Permit for Sikkim.
When is Kanchenjunga most clearly visible?
On early mornings from October to December, and often in March and April.
Is Pelling good for families?
Yes. Short drives, the Skywalk and easy walks suit all ages.
Can I combine Pelling with Gangtok and Darjeeling?
Yes. Our 7-, 8-, 9- and 11-day tours all include two nights in Pelling.
Ready-Made Tours with Pelling
If you want us to plan everything, these private tours include hotels, permits and a car with driver.
- 7-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: two nights in Pelling between Darjeeling and Gangtok.
- 8-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: the Gangtok Pelling Darjeeling tour at an easy pace.
- 9-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: adds Kalimpong.
- 11-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: adds North Sikkim and Yumthang Valley.
Plan Your Pelling Trip
We hope this Pelling travel guide helps you plan. Read our Sikkim travel guide, Gangtok travel guide and Darjeeling travel guide, and see our India spiritual tours, all our India tour packages and the best North India tours. Request your free quote
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