Photo: Santanu Paul · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

PellingHeight above mean sea level 2,150 m

hill town · West and South Sikkim

Kangchenjunga across the valley, a royal ruin and two old monasteries

Best Mar – May · Oct – Dec2–3 nights

Pelling is a ridge town at about 2,150 m in West Sikkim, known for close views of Kangchenjunga from October to May. Pemayangtse Monastery and the ruins of Rabdentse, Sikkim's second capital, are a short walk away. Plan 2–3 nights. Shared jeeps from Siliguri cost about ₹400–550 a seat, indicative, 2026.

Pelling runs along a ridge about 10 km above Gyalshing, the district headquarters of Gyalshing district. It splits into Upper, Middle and Lower Pelling, and most hotels face north-west towards the Kangchenjunga range. On a clear morning from October to December the mountain fills the view across the valley, with Kabru, Rathong and Pandim beside it. That view is why people come. It is also why the town is mostly hotels: there is a short market strip, a few momo kitchens and very little else to buy.

The good news is that the best sights are close and cheap. Pemayangtse Monastery, founded in 1647, and the ruins of Rabdentse, the royal capital from 1670 to 1814, sit side by side about 2–3 km below Upper Pelling. You can walk both in a morning. Sanga Choeling Monastery is a steep climb on the ridge above town, and the Skywalk and the large Chenrezig statue stand beside it. Further out, a day by car covers Rimbi, Kanchenjunga Falls, Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksom.

We treat Pelling as a base, not a destination in itself. Spend one day on foot around the monasteries and ruins, one day on the Yuksom and Khecheopalri loop, and keep an early night for the 5 am view. Rooms are cheapest from June to September and in January and February, outside the Christmas and New Year week. October is the busiest month because of the Puja holidays, so book those dates early. Carry some cash, because ATMs are few.

Don't miss

Highlights of Pelling

Kangchenjunga from your window

From Upper Pelling the Kangchenjunga range sits straight across the valley, with Kabru, Rathong and Pandim beside the main peak. The clearest mornings come from October to December. Be up before sunrise, about 6:15 am in December, and watch the snow turn pink, then gold, then white.

Pemayangtse Monastery

Founded in 1647 by Lhatsun Chenpo, Pemayangtse is one of Sikkim's most important Nyingma monasteries. Its top floor holds the carved seven-tiered Zangdok Palri model. Entry is about ₹20–50, indicative, and the Cham dances fall in February, just before Losar.

The ruins of Rabdentse

Sikkim's capital from 1670 to 1814 is now a quiet ruin on a forested ridge. A 15-minute path leads to wall stubs, three chortens and the Namphogang stone seat of judges. Go early, when the light is soft and the mountain is still out.

Sanga Choeling and the Skywalk

A steep path of about 40 minutes climbs from Pelling to Sanga Choeling, built in 1697 and home to 17th-century clay statues. Beside it, the glass-floored Skywalk leads to a 137-foot Chenrezig statue that opened in 2018. Walk up, take a taxi down if your knees complain.

Waterfalls and the Yuksom road

A day by car heads north past Rimbi waterfall and Kanchenjunga Falls, about 28 km from Pelling, to Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksom, Sikkim's first capital. A reserved car for the loop costs about ₹3,000–4,000, indicative, 2026. Share it with another family to halve the bill.

Singshore Bridge

On the road west towards Dentam and Uttarey, Singshore Bridge spans a deep gorge: about 240 m long and over 100 m high. Walking across is free or nominal. Combine it with Uttarey for a long but rewarding day out.

Told in the hills

Rabdentse and the monks of pure lineage

In 1670 the second Chogyal, Tensung Namgyal, moved the royal seat of Sikkim from Yuksom to a ridge just below present-day Pelling. Rabdentse stayed the capital until 1814. It sat on the edge of a long drop, with Kangchenjunga to the north and the Rangeet valley below, and it held the palace, the court and the chortens where the royal family prayed. Today you reach it by a forest path of about 15 minutes from a gate on the Pelling–Gyalshing road.

The kingdom was rarely quiet. Wikipedia records that in 1716 the third Chogyal, Chakdor Namgyal, was killed by bloodletting at the Ralang hot spring, a plot arranged by his half-sister Pende Ongmu, who was then executed. Later the Gorkha army from Nepal pushed into Sikkim and took Rabdentse in 1788. When Tshudpud Namgyal returned in 1793 he judged the ridge too exposed and moved the capital to Tumlong. What survives is wall stubs, three chortens, the Namphogang stone seat where judges gave verdicts, and the Taphap Chorten where visitors got off their horses.

Next door, Pemayangtse kept a different kind of order. Lhatsun Chenpo founded it in 1647 as a small temple, and it was enlarged under Chakdor Namgyal. It was set up for ta-tshang, 'monks of pure lineage', traditionally drawn from Bhutia families, and its head lama had the right to anoint the Chogyals with holy water. Walk from the ruins to the monastery and you cover the two pillars of the old kingdom, the throne and the gompa, in under two hours.

Pinned to the board

Did you know

The Pelling Skywalk and the 137-foot Chenrezig statue beside Sanga Choeling Monastery opened in November 2018.

The top floor of Pemayangtse holds a seven-tiered wooden model of Guru Rinpoche's heavenly palace, Zangdok Palri, carved by Dungzin Rinpoche over five years.

Pemayangtse means 'perfect sublime lotus', and the monastery was damaged by earthquakes in 1913 and 1960.

Things to do

Four ways to spend a day in Pelling

1.5–2 hours Rabdentse ruins walk Pelling · ₹25–50 per person for Indians, more for…

1–1.5 hours Pemayangtse Monastery visit Pelling · ₹20–50 per person, indicative

2.5–3 hours Sanga Choeling climb and the Skywalk Pelling · Monastery free or donation; Skywalk ₹50…

1 hour Kangchenjunga sunrise from Upper Pelling Pelling · Free

Getting there

How to reach Pelling

Shared jeepShared jeeps run from the Siliguri jeep stands near the SNT terminus to Gyalshing and Pelling for about ₹400–550 a seat. From Gangtok to Gyalshing it is about ₹350–500, then ₹50–80 on to Pelling. From Darjeeling, take a jeep to Jorethang (₹150–200), then on to Pelling (₹150–250); most leave Jorethang before 1 pm. An SNT bus also runs from Siliguri, about once a day. Indicative, 2026; check current status before you travel.

Reserved carA reserved small car or SUV from NJP or Bagdogra to Pelling costs about ₹5,500–7,500 one way, from Gangtok ₹5,000–6,500 and from Darjeeling ₹4,000–5,500, indicative, 2026. The NJP drive is about 140 km and 5–6 hours via Sevoke, Melli, Jorethang and Legship. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, available at Melli; check current status before you travel.

Rail / AirThe nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 140 km away, and the nearest reliable airport is Bagdogra (IXB), about 150 km and 5.5–6.5 hours by road. Pakyong Airport near Gangtok has had irregular flights, so check current status before you travel. Pelling has a helipad but no regular air service.

Gangtok to Pelling Pelling to Yuksom Pelling to Ravangla Siliguri (NJP and Bagdogra) to Pelling Darjeeling to Pelling

Costs in Pellingindicative, 2026

Shared jeep Siliguri → Pelling₹400–550 a seat
Reserved car NJP / Bagdogra → Pelling₹5,500–7,500 one way
Half-day car: Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Skywalk₹1,500–2,500
Full-day car: Rimbi, Khecheopalri, Yuksom loop₹3,000–4,000
Entry, Pemayangtse / Rabdentse₹20–50 / ₹25–50 (Indians)
Skywalk and Chenrezig statue₹50–100

Fares and fees change with fuel prices, season and local union rates. Check current rates before you travel.

Money-saving tip

Walk the Rabdentse and Pemayangtse pair yourself from Upper Pelling instead of booking the half-day car, which saves about ₹1,500–2,500 and gives you the forest path, the best part of the morning.

Where to stay

Sleeping in Pelling

Upper Pelling has the most rooms and the best mountain views; Lower Pelling is quieter and a little cheaper. On a budget, Hotel Garuda in Upper Pelling is a long-running backpacker favourite with Sikkimese food and views from its terraces. For comfort, Norbu Ghang Resort has cottages in terraced gardens and a traditional hot stone bath. The Elgin Mount Pandim sits opposite Pemayangtse Monastery in about eight acres of forest and gardens. The Chumbi Mountain Retreat & Spa at Naku Chumbong in Lower Pelling is the most polished option. Homestays around Darap, a few kilometres away, are good value with home cooking.

budget

Hotel Garuda Hotel · Pelling ₹1,500–3,000 per room night, indicative comfort

Norbu Ghang Resort Resort · Pelling ₹5,500–10,000 per room night, indicative premium

The Elgin Mount Pandim Heritage hotel · Pelling ₹12,000–22,000 per room night, indicative premium

The Chumbi Mountain Retreat & Spa Resort · Pelling ₹10,000–20,000 per room night, indicative

Tour packages

Packages that stop in Pelling

Nº 46855 · Gangtok6N / 7D Sikkim backpacker by shared jeep Gangtok → Ravangla → Pelling Budget fare from
per person, twin₹14,000

Nº 47844 · Gangtok7N / 8D Gangtok, Pelling and Darjeeling Gangtok → Pelling → Darjeeling Budget fare from
per person, twin₹20,000

Nº 20410 · Gangtok10N / 11D Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok and Lachung Darjeeling → Pelling → Gangtok → Lachung → Gangtok Budget fare from
per person, twin₹28,000

Nº 94487 · Pelling4N / 5D Darjeeling and Pelling in 4 nights Darjeeling → Pelling Budget fare from
per person, twin₹13,000

Nº 55689 · Pelling2N / 3D Pelling weekend with a Kangchenjunga dawn Pelling Budget fare from
per person, twin₹7,500

Nº 15098 · Pelling4N / 5D Pelling and Yuksom monastery circuit Pelling → Yuksom Budget fare from
per person, twin₹13,000

Nº 39574 · Pelling10N / 11D Sikkim and Darjeeling grand circuit, 10 nights Gangtok → Lachung → Gangtok → Ravangla → Pelling → Darjeeling Budget fare from
per person, twin₹33,500

Nº 28914 · Pelling6N / 7D Sikkim family holiday: Gangtok, Ravangla, Pelling Gangtok → Ravangla → Pelling Budget fare from
per person, twin₹19,500

On the map

Drawn by Darjeeling Tour Plan from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Next stations

Near Pelling

All of Pelling

Yuksom1,780 m

Sikkim's first capital and the start of the Goecha La trail

Village · best Mar – May · Oct – Nov · 1–2 nights

Khecheopalri Lake1,700 m

The wish-fulfilling lake where, legend says, birds clear every leaf

Lake · best Mar – May · Oct – Nov · 0–1 nights

Rinchenpong and Kaluk1,700 m

A 1730 monastery, a windy ridge and Kangchenjunga at breakfast

Village · best Mar – Apr · Oct – Dec · 1–2 nights

Tashiding1,465 m

A hilltop monastery between two rivers, home of the Bumchu vase

Monastery town · best Feb – May · Oct – Nov · 0–1 nights

Festivals here

Pemayangtse Cham · Feb, 28th–29th day of the 12t…

Questions people ask

Pelling: questions answered

How many days are enough for Pelling

Two to three nights is right for most people. One day covers Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Sanga Choeling and the Skywalk, mostly on foot. A second day by car covers Rimbi, Kanchenjunga Falls, Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksom. The extra night gives you two chances at a clear Kangchenjunga sunrise, which matters more than any sight.

How much is a shared jeep from Siliguri to Pelling

A shared jeep seat from Siliguri to Gyalshing or Pelling costs about ₹400–550, indicative, 2026. Jeeps leave from the stands near the SNT terminus, mostly in the morning, and take 5–6 hours. If you are dropped at Gyalshing, a local shared jeep up to Pelling is ₹50–80. Fares change, so check current status before you travel.

Is Pelling better than Gangtok

They suit different trips. Pelling is smaller and quieter, with closer Kangchenjunga views and old monasteries within walking distance. Gangtok has more shops, restaurants and easy access to Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim. Many travellers spend 2–3 nights in each; Gangtok to Pelling is about 120 km and 4.5–5.5 hours by road.

Is Pelling worth visiting in the monsoon

Only if you want quiet and low prices. From June to September hotels offer big discounts, but Kangchenjunga is hidden on most days and landslides can close the Melli–Jorethang–Legship road. Waterfalls such as Rimbi and Kanchenjunga Falls are at their fullest. Keep a spare day and check current status before you travel.

Does Pelling get snow

Pelling itself rarely sees heavy snow, though January and February bring frost and temperatures near freezing at night. Snow is more likely higher up, on routes such as Barsey and the upper slopes around Ravangla. If snow is your main goal, North Sikkim or the Goecha La trail are better bets in winter.

Do Indians need a permit for Pelling

No. Indian nationals do not need a permit for Pelling, Yuksom or Khecheopalri, but carry photo ID because Sikkim checkposts may ask for it. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, which is free, valid for 30 days and available online or at Melli and Rangpo checkposts. Check current status before you travel.

What is the best area to stay in Pelling

Upper Pelling has the most hotels and the best mountain views, and you can walk to the helipad ground and the Sanga Choeling path. Lower Pelling is quieter and slightly cheaper but needs short taxi rides. For a premium stay near the monasteries, the Elgin Mount Pandim sits opposite Pemayangtse, outside the main hotel strip.

How far is Pelling from Darjeeling

Pelling is about 75 km from Darjeeling, 4–5 hours by road via Jorethang. A reserved car costs about ₹4,000–5,500 one way, indicative, 2026. By shared jeep, go Darjeeling to Jorethang for ₹150–200, then Jorethang to Pelling for ₹150–250. Leave Darjeeling early, as most onward jeeps leave Jorethang before 1 pm.

What food should I try in Pelling

Try momos, thukpa and Sikkimese home cooking with gundruk (fermented greens), local cheese called chhurpi and nettle soup when it is on the menu. A thali or momo meal costs about ₹150–350, indicative, 2026. Small family-run kitchens in Upper Pelling are cheaper and often better than hotel restaurants, especially for breakfast.