Pelling Tourism | Lachung Travel Guide

Apart from Gangtok, if any town is attracting hordes of visitors, it is the beautiful town of Pelling in West Sikkim. Situated at a height of 6800 ft. the town offers a wonderful view of the Khangchendzonga Mountain and its neighboring peak. Located 130 km from Gangtok and 10 km from Geyzing (district headquarters), Pelling offers many activities like trekking, mountain biking, village tours, meditation, rock climbing, etc. With thick forest cover, it is home to many indigenous wild animal species. Situated between ancient Buddhist Monastries, Pemayangtse, and Sangacholing; Pelling has emerged as a preferred tourist spot of West Sikkim.

Best time to visit Pelling?

More About Pelling Tourism

Since Pelling is located at a height, the weather here remains pleasant throughout the year with summers providing a maximum temperature of 250C and winters at 10C. Though you can make a trip any time of the year, the best time to visit is from October to May. Monsoons (July to September) should be avoided as there are chances of landslides.

How to reach Pelling?

Pelling is not connected via an airport or a railway station. You can travel from Gangtok to Pelling by road. The preferred mode of transport is a regular jeep service as the roads are narrow and slightly difficult to navigate (mountainous roads). Private vehicles are also available from nearby major towns

By air :The Nearest airport is Bagdogra which is 160 km from here. it is connected to major cities of India. From here private taxis are available to take you to Pelling. Shared taxis are available from Siliguri too.

By train :The Nearest airport is Bagdogra which is 160 km from here. it is connected to major cities of India. From here private taxis are available to take you to Pelling. Shared taxis are available from Siliguri too.

By road : All-weather metalled roads connect Pelling to other major nearby cities like Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Gangtok. Apart from state transport buses, you can also choose private or shared taxis. Since the road from Siliguri to Pelling is steep, it is advised to hire a cab than a bus.

Private taxis cost nearly INR 3000-4000 from NJP or Bagdogra to Pelling and INR 3500-4000 from Gangtok to Pelling; while shared cabs take INR 300 per person (Gangtok to Geyzing) and INR 50 (Geyzing to Pelling). Alternately, you could take a shared cab from Siliguri/Bagdogra to Geyzing is available for INR 300 per person or to Jorethang for INR 150. From Gyzing or Jorethang you can take a shared taxi to Pelling. Since shared taxis have fixed time for leaving, your travel itinerary should be planned accordingly.

What to expect when visiting Pelling?

While traveling from Gangtok or New Jalpaiguri to Pelling, you are bound to counter many beautiful scenes. Since the roads are in excellent condition you can thoroughly enjoy the drive. Pelling is home to beautiful Buddhists monasteries, spectacular lake and the ruins of Old Rabdentse Palace apart from serenading waterfalls. But apart from this, there is so much more to do here.

1.) You can soak in the culture here by taking a village walk. Participate in organic farming activities and see their rural lifestyle up close.
2.) Traditional house visits, Limboo storytelling sessions, handicraft making, etc. are some other activities you can indulge in Pelling.
3.) Bird watching, hot stone batch, fishing in the Rimbi river, Jungle walking, etc. are also a unique experience that you can indulge in here.
4.) Nature walks and monastery treks can be done with the help of local guides. You can also opt to hire a bicycle or motorcycle to enjoy the sights here.

Major Attractions

The pristine environments of Pelling are welcoming and offer numerous attractions for tourists. You can have an unparalleled view of the Kanchenjunga and surrounding mountain ranges from the Pelling Helipad. With no dearth of resorts, hotels, and restaurants, you will have a wonderful stay here. You can also indulge in some local experiences while at Pelling.

The Kanchenjunga festival which is held on the 15th day of 7th month of Tibetan Lunar Calendar is celebrated with much fanfare. You can indulge in fun-filled activities like white-water rafting on Rangit, kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, etc. or you could enjoy the traditional Limbu dance and other cultural arts.

You can stroll the markets for traditional Buddhist handicrafts; hand-woven woolen carpets, colourful threaded scarves, Lepcha weave shawls, singing bowls, Tibetan prayer flags, etc. apart from traditional Tibetan thangkas or paintings. You can also purchase organic tea and walnuts from the local market. While shopping, you can also sample traditional delicacies like momos and thukpas. You can choose from a variety of Indian, Tibetan and Chinese delicacies in Pelling.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Pelling :

The Natural view of the picturesque surrounding and visiting here will be the historical experience too. The green forest view and the adventure junkies give a delightful close to nature beauty. The thrilling waterfalls view can make the best of the holidays. The few hours of chilling with your loved ones and good food is a worth making the trip. Bring out the best of the Pelling by visiting most popular tourist attraction in Pelling.