Pelling

The charming town of Pelling is renowned for its breathtaking views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga range, the third-highest peak in the world. Located approximately 130 km from Siliguri and 115 km from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, Pelling is easily accessible by bus and jeep services. This tranquil town attracts visitors with its rich history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture, embodying the essence of Sikkim.

Perched at an altitude of 6,800 feet, Pelling provides stunning vistas of the entire Kanchenjunga mountain range, including notable peaks such as Koktang, Kumbhakaran (Jannu), Rathong, Kabru, Kabru Dome, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, and Siniolchu. It offers the closest view of the Kanchenjunga range while maintaining the comfort of quality hotels. Thanks to its prime location, numerous hotels and lodges have been established in and around Pelling, catering to a variety of tastes and budgets.

Once the seat of the former kingdom of Sikkim, Pelling holds significant historical importance, evidenced by landmarks such as the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim's oldest and most revered monasteries. The nearby Rabdentse Ruins further narrate the tale of Sikkim's erstwhile capital, offering a glimpse into the royal past and the kingdom's architectural grandeur. Through its historical sites, Pelling provides a fascinating journey into the ancient traditions and storied past of Sikkim.

Top Attractions in Pelling

Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse, meaning 'Perfect Sublime Lotus,' is one of Sikkim's oldest and most significant monasteries. Established in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect. The three-story building of the monastery houses an impressive collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor, visitors can marvel at a seven-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rinpoche, adorned with rainbows, angels, and an array of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Every year in January or February, the monastery comes alive with the religious Cham dance, a vibrant and spiritual performance unique to Pemayangtse.

Sanga Choeling Monastery and Chenrezig Statue

The Sanga Choeling Monastery is perched atop a mountain behind the town of Pelling, about 3 km away. The monastery offers breathtaking views of Pelling, the surrounding hills, and the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga. The monastery was built in 1697 and is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. Its name means 'the island of esoteric teaching.' This Gompa, another creation of Lhatsun Chenpo, is highly revered among the Nyingmapa sect.

In 2018 a 137-foot statue of revered Chenrezig was erected near the monastery. This is one of the largest statues in Sikkim and has become a tourist attraction. Many tourists mistake the statue as that of Buddha. Chenrezig, also known in Sanskrit as Avalokiteshvara, is a Buddhist deity who is credited with the popular mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum”

Pelling Skywalk

The Pelling Skywalk, one of India’s highest glass bridges, offers an exhilarating experience with stunning views of the Himalayas. The Skywalk is located near the Sanga Choeling Monastery and the Chenrezig Statue. The skywalk stands at about 7,200 feet, suspended over a deep valley. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range and surrounding landscapes through its transparent glass floor, which provides a thrilling sensation of floating above the valley. Please note that most drivers charge an additional amount for a visit to the Skywalk area.

Khecheopalri Lake

Khecheopalri Lake is considered one of the most sacred lakes in Sikkim, nestled under a dense canopy of forest. Legend has it that birds prevent even a single leaf from floating on the lake's surface, keeping its waters pristine. A visit to Pelling is incomplete without touring this serene and mystical lake. more

Rabdentse Ruins:

Rabdentse was the second capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksom, serving as the royal seat until 1814 A.D. Today, the Rabdentse ruins lie hidden from the main road, a short walk from Pelling and the Pemayangtse Monastery. Visitors can reach the site by following a footpath that branches off the main road. The scenic view from the top of the ruins, spanning across a deep valley to the mystical heights of the Kangchenjunga ranges, is truly unforgettable and will be cherished in memory.

Natural Beauty and Landscapes

Kanchenjunga View

The view of Kanchenjunga from Pelling is one of the most captivating sights, drawing tourists from around the world. As the third-highest peak in the world, Kanchenjunga's majestic snow-capped summit dominates the skyline, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas from Pelling. The clear, unobstructed views of this towering peak, especially during sunrise and sunset, create a dramatic and awe-inspiring spectacle.

Kanchenjunga Waterfall

Kanchenjunga Waterfall, located 30 km from Pelling, is a natural attraction renowned for its scenic beauty. Cascading from a height of about 100 meters, the waterfall offers a view of crystal-clear water plunging into a lush, verdant pool below.

Rimbi Waterfall

This waterfall is situated about 10 km from Pelling. The waterfall is situated right on the main road connecting Pelling with Khecheopalri Lake. So if you are visiting the lake, you will have a stop here. The waterfall is a captivating natural wonder known for its picturesque charm.

Changey Waterfall

This waterfall is located 10 kilometres from Pelling. The route is less frequented by tourists and normally not part of the tourist itinerary. Hence if you get to visit this waterfall, you will have less touristic experience here. Additionally, Changey Waterfall holds cultural and spiritual significance for the local community, adding to its allure and mystique.

Darap Village

Darap Village is about 6 km from Pelling on the way to Khechopalri Lake. It is a charming and picturesque village known for its serene environment and traditional Sikkimese culture. You may wish to halt here for a while and enjoy the typical traditional village ambience of Sikkim. There are several homestay accommodations at Darap, hence if you wish to stay away from the main Pelling town and enjoy the peace of tranquillity of rural Pelling, you may choose Darap for your stay. Note that Darap is at a slightly lower elevation than Pelling and the snowcapped Kanchenjunga range is not visible from most parts of Darap.

Pelling Sightseeing

For sightseeing in Pelling, we offer two popular tour options. When you book a package tour with us, one of these options is always included: a half-day tour or a full-day tour.

Half-Day Tours

Ideal for those staying in Pelling for just one night, the half-day tour allows you to explore key attractions before moving on to your next destination. You have several options:

Khechepalri Lake Tour: This tour includes a visit to Khechepalri Lake, with stops at Rimbi Waterfall, Rock Garden, and Kanchenjunga Waterfall along the way. You may also visit Darap Eco Village. This is a popular choice for a comprehensive half-day experience.

Local Sightseeing Tour: For those short on time, this tour covers nearby attractions including Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins, Tikjuk Viewpoint, and Helipad Ground.

Full-Day Tours

The full-day tour combines elements from the half-day options, offering a more extensive exploration of Pelling:

Combination Tour: Most tourists choose to visit Khechepalri Lake in the morning and then explore local sights around Pelling in the afternoon.

Extended Tour: Start with the Khechepalri Lake tour and continue towards Yuksom, visiting Phamrong Falls, Singing Stone, Kathok Lake, and Dubdi Monastery (2 km hike).

Mixed Tour: Some opt to combine the Khechepalri Lake tour with the extended half-day tour for a more comprehensive experience.

Consult our travel experts about the sightseeing options included in your tour package.

Treks Near Pelling

There are several treks originating near Pelling Some of the more popular ones include

Dzongri / Goechala / Kanchenjunga base camp Trek

This is arguably the most popular trek in Sikkim. The trek originates and ends at Yuksom about 35 km from Pelling. The trek offers stunning views of Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks, alpine meadows, and lush forests. It’s a challenging trek with high-altitude passes.

Chiwa Bhanjang Trek

This trek takes you to the famous Singalila National Park. The trek originates from Uttarey which is about 35 km from Pelling. There are several variations of the trek available. You may consult our travel experts who will organise the trek for you.

Day Treks Near Pelling

There are several beautiful day treks of 3 to 4-hour duration near Pelling. This includes the Ranidhunga day hike near Pelling, Pelling - Khechopalri - Yuksom hike, Village hike near Darap, Hee - Bermiok - Chayatal hike or hike inside Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.
 

Pelling Hotels

Pelling is today the second most important tourist destination in Sikkim after Gangtok, the capital. The small sleepy village of the early 1990s has become a hotel town with almost all buildings facing the Kangchenjunga turning up as a hotel.

The best hotels are Norbu Ghang Resort and Mt. Pandim. If you do not mind staying slightly out of the town we may recommend Pachu Resort (5 minutes walk from town), Darap Homestay (6 km from town) or Tashi Gang Resort (30 minutes drive from town). Tashi Gang resort is a special favourite with us due to its unique location on a hilltop offering a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains.

Getting There

If you have not booked your travel arrangement with us and intend to travel on your own, Pelling is well connected with other destinations in the region such as Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong, and Siliguri. There is local transport including shared jeeps available from almost all the places. If you cannot manage a direct transfer to Pelling, try to get a taxi for Geyzing. From Geyzing to Pelling is about half an hour and vehicles are more frequent. Following is the list of distances from different places to Gangtok. Please do remember that travel time varies widely with road conditions. Post-monsoon rain often road conditions are not very great and an average vehicle travelling 20 km an hour is not uncommon. The time given is approximate and may vary accordingly.

From Gangtok– 115 km – 5 hours
From Bagdogra– 135 Kms – 5.5 hours
From New Jalpaiguri– 130 Kms – 5.5 hours
From Darjeeling town – 109 km – 4.5 Hours. There is an alternative short route through which the distance comes down to about 70 km. But this route is quite steep and may not remain operational throughout the year.
From Kalimpong – 85 km – 4 hours
From Jorethang – 42 km – 2.5 hours
From Ravangla – 45 km – 2.5 hours

Our Services

Package Tour - HUMRO TOURS organizes regular package tours to Pelling. All our tours are customized according to guest preference. You can check our Leisure Tours section for more ideas about package tour options in Pelling.
Hotel Booking - HUMRO TOURS deals with some of the best hotels in Gangtok. Hotel Booking through HUMRO TOURS has two advantages. First, you don't need to deal with individual hotels, we know which is the best hotel in each place that suits your budget. Secondly, since we are based locally, you always have someone to look after your needs in case of any travel-related problem. more.
Adventure Tours - Whether you want to go for a trek or a biking tour in Sikkim, we have unmatched expertise in this region.
Car-Rental - HUMRO TOURS owns its transport car and lends them on hire.

Map of Pelling