adventure · Ravangla, Pelling
Maenam ridge hike with a local guide
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 36 sq km of forest on the ridge behind Ravangla. It was set up in 1987, and its name is usually explained as a treasure house of medicines, after the medicinal plants that grow here. The trail starts near town and climbs steadily through oak, rhododendron and bamboo. Expect roughly 12 km and about 1,000 m of ascent to the top, which takes most fit walkers three to four hours.
Near the summit, the Bhaleydhunga rock face drops away to the south. On a clear morning you see across to the Kangchenjunga range and down to the Rangeet valley. Birders come for laughingthrushes, verditer flycatchers and, with luck, the satyr tragopan. A walking day here is mostly forest and mist, and that is part of the point. Carry lunch, water and a rain shell, because cloud builds fast after noon.
Do not go alone. Trails split and are poorly marked, and the forest is thick. Hire a local guide through your hotel; expect about ₹1,500–2,500 for a group, plus a small forest entry fee paid at the forest office, indicative, 2026. Register before you start. Leave by 6 am to be down before dark, and tell your hotel your plan and expected return time. Rules and fees change, so check current status before you travel.
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Questions people ask
Good to know
How long is the Maenam trek from Ravangla
Plan a full day. The climb is roughly 12 km with about 1,000 m of ascent, and most fit walkers take three to four hours up and a little less down. With stops for lunch and views, eight to ten hours is realistic. Start by 6 am so you are off the ridge before the afternoon cloud and dark.
Do I need a guide for Maenam
Yes, we strongly recommend one. The trail forks often, markings are poor and fog can close in quickly. A local guide also knows where to register and pay the forest fee. Your Ravangla hotel can arrange one for roughly ₹1,500–2,500 a group, indicative for 2026; check current status before you travel.
What is the best season for the Maenam hike
April and May bring rhododendrons and orchids in the forest, though haze can blur distant views. October and November give the clearest mountain views and dry trails. Avoid June to September, when the path is slippery, leeches are common and views are usually lost in cloud. Winter is possible but cold on top.
