Yuksom Tourism | Gangtok Travel Guide

Located at a height of 5840 ft. Yuksom was the 1st capital of Sikkim. The small village is a perfect destination for people who wish to enjoy the best of nature without having to encounter the tourist crowd. The small village of Yuksom is a part of the Demazon (valley of rice) which is a sacred landscape that is home to four sacred sites blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. According to scriptures and ancient text, these sites are the four plexuses of the human body with Yuksom representing the ‘third eye’. The place is known for its natural beauty; the lush green landscape is surrounded by snow-covered mountains. It is the base for numerous adventure treks across the region. Apart from Kanchenjunga National Park, there are numerous attractions to the place.

Best time to visit Yuksom

More About Yuksom

Since the climate is moderate throughout the year, any time is ideal to visit Yuksom, still, March–June and autumn season (September–October) as many outdoor activities can be done during this time. During summers (March-May), the temperature remains around 100C and you can witness the natural beauty of the area replete with lush green vegetation and enchanting waterfalls. Monsoon season (June-September) sees very little outdoor activity as driving around the area becomes a bit difficult. During the winter season, the entire place becomes chilly and temperatures drop below 00C. However, for hardcore trekkers, the site of snow-clad mountains is something not to be missed.

How to reach Yuksom ?

Despite the feeling that Yuksom is too far off, it can be reached easily. The small village is connected by air, rail, and road.

By air : By air: Bagdogra which is 170 km from here is the nearest airport. it is connected to major cities of India. You can hire private taxis to take you to Yuksom.

By train : The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri station (NJP) which is 150 km from Yuksom. Taxis are available from NJP to Yuksom for around INR 2000. However, you need to leave NJP by 11 am since it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Yuksom via Jorethang as the roads are not well lit and therefore difficult to navigate.

By road : Since there are very few buses to Yuksom, you can take shared or private taxis from almost all major towns of Sikkim. It takes 5 hours to reach Yuksom from Geyzing (45 km) which costs INR 70 in a shared taxi. It costs INR 60 from Pelling, INR 30 from Tashiding and INR 140 from Gangtok. However, finding shared taxis/jeeps might be difficult after 1 pm, it is therefore advisable to opt for a morning bus from airport or railway station.

What to explore in Yuksom?

Yuksom boasts to be the best base camp for numerous Sikkim treks. With Kanchenjunga Mountains forming the backdrop of this beautiful town, you can see magnificent mountain peaks, mesmerizing lakes, serene Buddhist monasteries, etc. Here is what you can do while in Yuksom:

1.) Trek to Dzongri peak which is the most famous treks in the region; or opt for a Dzongri/Goecha La trek. Another option is the Kanchenjunga-Goecha La trek. These can be done from March – June, and August – September. Alternately, Kachupuri lake trek, which is for serious trekkers (steep 10 km trek) is also a popular choice.

2.) Visit the beautiful monasteries of the region; Dubdi, Hongri, Kartok and Ngadak Chorling monasteries. The trails pass through quaint village roads with a small waterfall in the way.

3.) The Kanchandzongha National Park is a 2-hr trek where you can see the wildlife in the natural surroundings. On the way is a beautiful waterfall that provides the purest, coldest and sweetest water ever drunk.

4.) Be a part of the religious and harvest festivals held at Khecheopalri Lake which is a revered site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Maghe Purne festival which is attended by pilgrims from Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Chho-Tsho festival is celebrated in October end after the cardamom harvest season is over.

5.) The biodiversity festival is a unique initiative of the Sikkim government which makes people aware of the advantages of conserving the natural and cultural heritage of the region. This has resulted in Yuksom being declared the Biodiversity Hub. Enjoy the puppet shows, dance and music festival apart from shopping for handicraft items.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Gangtok :

The capital city of Gangtok boasts of numerous attractions. Loaded with natural beauty, this place is known for its temples, monasteries, and amazing treks. Seven separate waterfalls combining to form one magnificent one is a representation of the geography of the region. You can use the ropeway to watch it from up close. Located on National Highway, you need to hire cabs to get here.