Down to the Reshi river on the old trade road

Before 1962, caravans of mules came down from Jelep La, about 4,270 m on the Sikkim–Tibet border, through Sikkim to the Reshi river and up to Pedong, then on to Algarah and Kalimpong. They carried Tibetan wool, furs and salt and returned with cloth, metal goods and tea. The British expedition to Tibet of 1904 also crossed Jelep La.

Today a road drops from Pedong through farms and forest to the Reshi river, the boundary with Sikkim, and continues to Rhenock and Rongli, the start of the Silk Route drive to Zuluk. You can go down to the river and back as a half-day outing without any Sikkim permit, as long as you do not go beyond the border check.

The river valley is warm and green, with swimming spots locals use in summer, though currents can be strong. Combine the drive with tea in Pedong and Cross Hill. If you plan to continue to Zuluk, you need permits arranged in advance through a registered Sikkim operator; Zuluk and the Old Silk Route are generally not open to foreign nationals.