Pelling

Pelling is a magnificent town with some of the finest places in West Sikkim. Nestled at an approximate elevation of 6800 feet above sea level, Pelling offers a jaw-dropping view of the Himalayan peaks including Kanchenjunga. Merely 115 km driving distance away from the capital town Gangtok, Pelling is a perfect hideout for travelers who seek solace and want to spend quality time exploring some of the finest places in the city.

Pelling, surrounded by daunting hills and the luxuriant alpine forest, is one of the finest destinations in Sikkim where you can enjoy lots of outdoor activities. In short, it has many things to offer to nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, urban travelers, and more. North Bengal Guide can help you explore the town in the most convenient way by planning the entire tour package that includes sightseeing, cars, accommodation, and more.

Places to Visit in Pelling (At a Glance)

• Pemayangtse Monastery: A Beautiful Monastery in Pelling
• Rabdentse Ruins: Magnificent Ancient Architecture with View
• Sangachoeling Monastery: A Monastery with Jaw-dropping Architecture
• Sewaro Rock Garden: Popular as a Picnic Spot
• Changey Waterfall: The Fall Will Make You Fall In Love
• Kanchenjunga Falls: A Splendid Waterfall
• Khecheopalri Lake: A Serene Lake near Pelling

Places to Visit in Pelling (In Detail)

Explore many things from stunning landscapes to splendid monasteries, lakes, waterfalls, and more. Have a look at the most promising places to visit in Pelling.

Pemayangtse Monastery

One of the most promising places to visit in Pelling is Pemayangtse Monastery. The word Pemayangtse means The perfect, sublime lotus. Built-in the 17th century by Lama Lhatsun Chenpo, it is believed to be one of the oldest monasteries in the town which follows the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. The three-storeyed building of the monastery looks stunning along with its paintings on the walls, and statues of Rinpoches and other Buddhist saints. You can soak in the peace and tranquillity this monastery offers. Moreover, you can also relish the sculptures, paintings, and architecture of this jaw-dropping monastery.

Rabdentse Ruins

Rabdentse Ruins is another century-old tourist site in Pelling. For history enthusiasts, Rabdentse Ruins is like heaven as it holds lots of historical significance. Before its inclusion with India, it was the second capital of the kingdom of Sikkim. It is merely a 9 km driving distance away from Pelling. In the past, this city was invaded by the Gorkha army and was destroyed completely leaving only chortens and the ruins behind. You will love to walk around the ruins and will be able to feed your curious soul by seeing them.

Sangachoeling Monastery

One of the oldest in the entire Sikkim, Sangachoeling Monastery is another promising tourist place to visit in Pelling. It was first built in the 17th century by Lama Lhatsun Chempo. This monastery lets you behold the jaw-dropping beauty of age-old Buddhist scriptures, sculptures, paintings, and statues. You will also enjoy the sweeping view of the surroundings and the hills.

Sewaro Rock Garden

One of the most preferred picnic spots near Pelling is Sewaro Rock Garden. Equipped with streams, fountains, gardens, and beautiful trees, this is quite a great place to spend quality time with your friends and family. You will truly love the tranquility it offers and enjoy every minute of your stay here while listening to the chirping of the Himalayan birds and the scenic surroundings. In short, during your trip to Pelling, don't forget to explore Sewaro Rock Garden.

Changey Waterfall

From Pelling, you can go for a visit to Changey Waterfall which is another worth visiting site just 15 km driving distance away. Located on the Pelling-Dentam Road, it exactly looks like a white line that is cascading from a great height of around 300 feet. It is truly a visual treat to the eyes. Spending some time near it will provide you with complete relaxation to your mind and soul. However, it can be a little troublesome for someone to reach the waterfall as the visitors have to hike for approximately 20 minutes through a broken pathway full of leaves and branches to finally get to see the waterfall.

Kanchenjunga Falls

Kanchenjunga Fall, which is only 30 Kilometers from town, is another promising sight to see for sightseers. Kanchenjunga Fall is one of Sikkim's largest waterfalls, with flowing water tumbling from a height of 100 feet into a pool, providing a peaceful scene to viewers. Visitors come here to take in the breathtaking scenery and maybe have a wonderful picnic with their friends. Tourists must climb roughly 50 steps from the road to reach this magnificent waterfall, which is situated on a sharp curve on the roadside.

Khecheopalri Lake

Khecheopalri Lake, in Pelling, Sikkim, is a beautiful site to visit. A 32-kilometer road ride will take roughly 1:30 hours for visitors. The lake is revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike since it is known locally as Kha-Chot-Palri, which means The Heaven of Padmasamvaba. It is a wish-fulfilling lake and one of Sikkim's pilgrimage places, having been blessed by none other than Guru Padmasamvaba. The surrounding lush foliage, gorgeous prayer flags, and serene mind-rejuvenating ambiance make it a popular tourist attraction.

Things to Do in Pelling (At a Glance)

• Hike to Rabdentse Ruins
• Bird Watching Activity
• Go for Shopping
• Trek to Goecha La
• Try the Local Cuisine of Sikkim

Things to Do in Pelling (In Detail)

There are various activities to do and enjoy while staying in Pelling, Sikkim. The following are some of the most enjoyable outdoor activities most the travelers would love to indulge in:

Hike to Rabdentse Ruins

One of the best things to do in Pelling is hiking. Travelers can climb from Pelling to the Rabdentse ruin, which is only 9 kilometers away. Rabdentse served as the Kingdom of Sikkim's second capital from 1670 to 1814. However, the Gurkha Armies later invaded and destroyed it. The site, which is now in ruins, provides a beautiful perspective of the surrounding area as well as the remnants of the palace and Chortens. To get to the ruins of Rabdentse, visitors must hike for at least 2.5 kilometers through dense forest on a narrow path that takes 30 to 40 minutes to access from the main road.

Enjoy Bird Watching

Another worthwhile outdoor activity to undertake in Pelling is bird viewing. Bird lovers can even take a short trip to Yuksom to see Yellow-rumped Honey Guides in a few specific locations. Pelling is also the home of several other Himalayan birds including Red-Faced Liochichla, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Scarlet Finch, Rusty Cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Spotted Wren Babbler, Scaly Laughingthrush, Cutia, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, and many more.

Go for Shopping

Sikkim is known for its handicrafts and native products, both of which are distinctive to the state. There are many bazaars and stores in Pelling where you may buy handcrafted gifts and souvenirs. Buddhist flags, woven bamboo items, colorful woolen scarves, Tibetan trinkets, and carpets are among items that may be found in Pelling. Local spices and fruits like black cardamom, tea, walnuts, and oranges can also be purchased. In short, you will love shopping here in Pelling for sure.

Trek to Goecha La

Goecha La is considered to be one of Sikkim's highest mountain passes. To trek to this stunning pass, one must travel from Pelling to Yuksom. Trekkers must stay overnight in Yuksom prior to beginning their journey, and then begin walking to this lovely location the next day. Goecha La is famous for its massive display of snow-capped Himalayan Mountains, which is nestled among brilliant and colorful vegetation and fauna. Furthermore, the panoramic view of the entire valley it affords trekkers is particularly alluring due to its high elevation of roughly 4940 meters above sea level.

Try the Local Cuisine of Sikkim

Exploring the local cuisine is a must-do on your Pelling bucket list. Sikkim's food is influenced by Tibetan and Nepalese cuisines. Thukpa, Thenthuk, Sel Roti, Kinema, Momo, Churpi, and Gundruk are just a few of the unusual delicacies available. In Pelling, there are numerous restaurants where you may savor Sikkim's dishes which are truly delicious to have at least once.

Best Time to Visit Pelling

Pelling is an excellent place to visit at any time of year. The best months to visit this lovely hill town are mid-February to May and September to December. Traveling here during the peak winter months of January to mid-February is chilly, but with plenty of warm clothing, it can be a lot of fun! During the months of April to Mid-June, in Pelling, visitors can observe the beautiful scenery of flowering flowers. In the months of Mid-June to September, Because of the frequent weather and unexpected obstructions, most people avoid traveling to Sikkim during this season. However, again, the sky from October to December remains clear and the tourists are blessed to have a sweeping view of the entire Kanchenjunga.

F.A.Q on Pelling Tour and Sightseeing Places