adventure · Aritar, Gangtok
Hike to Mankhim and the Rai hilltop temple
From Lampokhari Lake, Mankhim is about 3 km away and roughly 600 m higher, at about 6,500 ft. The forest trail climbs steadily through mixed trees and village fields, with a few steep pitches. Fit walkers take 1–1.5 hours up; allow less for the way down but more care, as the path can be slippery. If anyone in your group should not climb, a local taxi can take you most of the way by road.
At the top is a temple of the Rai, a Kirati people whose traditional faith centres on ancestors and nature. Treat it as a working place of worship: remove shoes where asked, do not climb on structures, and ask before photographing people at prayer. On clear mornings, especially in October and November, you can see the Kangchenjunga range to the north-west, with the forested ridges of East Sikkim all around you.
A few registered homestays sit on the Mankhim ridge for those who want to sleep high and watch the sunrise from there. Carry water and a snack, as there are few shops on the way. In the monsoon, from June to September, the trail is muddy and full of leeches and the views are usually hidden in cloud, so in those months we would drive up by local taxi or skip Mankhim altogether.
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How difficult is the walk from Aritar to Mankhim
It is a moderate hike: about 3 km each way with around 600 m of climb, taking 1–1.5 hours up for most fit walkers. The path has some steep and uneven stretches and gets slippery after rain. Wear proper walking shoes and carry water. Seniors and young children can go most of the way by car instead and walk only the last short section.
What is the Mankhim temple
Mankhim has a temple of the Rai community, a Kirati people of the eastern Himalaya, set on the hilltop above Aritar at about 6,500 ft. It is an active place of worship for the local Rai community rather than a tourist sight. Visit quietly, follow any instructions about shoes and photography, and leave a small donation if you wish.
Can you see Kangchenjunga from Mankhim
Yes, on clear days. From the Mankhim ridge the Kangchenjunga range shows to the north-west, best in the early morning from October to December and in the dry spells of March to May. Cloud usually hides it from June to September. If the view matters, sleep at a Mankhim homestay and look out at dawn, when the sky is most often clear.
