Pelling's main sights fit in two days by cab. Day one is the Skywalk and Chenrezig statue, Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse Ruins, Changey Waterfalls and Darap village. Day two goes west and north to Rimbi Waterfalls, Khecheopalri Lake, Yuksom and Kanchenjunga Falls. A third day adds Tashiding Monastery and the Buddha Park at Ravangla. For the mountains, walk up to the helipad at sunrise.
Each plan is a real route by cab, timed against opening hours.
Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Khecheopalri and the falls
6 places · 72 km by cab
See the plan →Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse and Darap · Khecheopalri Lake, the falls and Yuksom
10 places · 124 km by cab
See the plan →Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse and Darap · Khecheopalri Lake, the falls and Yuksom · Tashiding Monastery and Ravangla Buddha Park
12 places · 239 km by cab
See the plan →Call or message a local Pelling operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
We are still listing Pelling operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
With the best time to go and how long to stay.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue | About 09:00 to 16:30; listings differ (08:00 to 16:30, 09:00 to 17:00)? | Morning, when Kanchenjunga is most often clear and before the crowds. | 1 h |
| Pemayangtse Monastery | About 08:00 to 16:00 (the district site says to 17:00) | Morning, when the monks hold prayers and the hall is quiet. | 45 min |
| Rabdentse Ruins | About 10:00 to 17:00 (the district site says from 08:00) | Late morning or afternoon, once the gate opens. | 1 h 15 min |
| Rimbi Waterfalls | Roadside waterfall; listed 08:00 to 17:00 or 18:00 | July to October, after the rains, when it runs full. | 20 min |
| Khecheopalri Lake | About 08:00 to 17:00; some listings say dawn to dusk | Morning, when the water is still and the prayer flags are quiet. | 45 min |
| Kanchenjunga Falls | About 08:00 to 17:00 | July to October, when it is at its fullest. | 30 min |
| Norbugang Coronation Throne | About 09:00 to 17:00 | Any time in daylight. | 40 min |
| Kathok Lake | Open-air lake; go in daylight? | Any time in daylight. | 15 min |
| Changey Waterfalls | Open-air waterfall; go in daylight (one listing says 08:00 to 17:00)? | July to October, when the water is high. | 1 h |
| Darap Village | A village; visit in daylight? | Afternoon, for a slow walk. | 45 min |
A glass-floored walkway on the hill above Pelling that leads to a very tall statue of Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion. From the top you look out over the valley and, on a clear day, at Kanchenjunga.
In the 1-day planOne of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim, on a ridge just outside Pelling. The top floor holds a large, finely carved wooden model of Guru Rinpoche's heavenly palace.
In the 1-day planThe stone ruins of Sikkim's old royal capital, in a forest just below Pemayangtse. You walk through the trees past a small pond to the palace walls and chortens, with wide views of the hills.
In the 1-day planA waterfall right beside the road to Khecheopalri, with the Rimbi river below it. It is a short photo stop, and there are orange orchards in the area.
In the 1-day planA small lake in the forest that Buddhists and Hindus hold sacred. People call it the wishing lake. A wooden walkway with prayer wheels leads to the water's edge, and it is very calm.
In the 1-day planA tall waterfall that drops in stages through the forest, on the road between Pelling and Yuksom. It is one of the most visited stops in West Sikkim.
In the 1-day planA stone throne in a quiet park in Yuksom, where the first king of Sikkim was crowned. There is a large chorten and a large old tree beside it.
Day 2 of the 2-day planA small pond in Yuksom with prayer flags around it, a few minutes from the coronation throne. It is linked to the same story of the first king's crowning.
Day 2 of the 2-day planA waterfall in the forest west of Pelling, quieter than the falls on the Yuksom road. It is not to be confused with the Changey Falls near Lava in West Bengal.
Day 1 of the 2-day planA small Limbu village of farms, fields and old houses, a short drive from Pelling. It is a quiet place to walk and see village life, and many homes take guests.
Day 1 of the 2-day planOne of Sikkim's holiest monasteries, on a hilltop between two rivers. The grounds are full of chortens and stones carved with prayers, and it hosts the Bhumchu festival each year.
Day 3 of the 3-day planA large park at Ravangla with a giant statue of the Buddha facing the snow peaks. There are gardens, a walkway round the statue and a small museum inside its base.
Day 3 of the 3-day planA flat, open helipad in Upper Pelling with one of the widest views of Kanchenjunga in town. At sunrise the snow turns pink and then gold.
Not in our plans. Add it if you have time.Two days covers the main sights: one day for the Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse and Darap, and one for Khecheopalri Lake, Yuksom and the waterfalls. One full day can cover the Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Khecheopalri and two waterfalls.
The helipad in Upper Pelling at sunrise, and the Skywalk in the morning. October and November are the clearest months; December to February are clear but cold. From June to September cloud usually hides the peaks.
Indian citizens do not need a permit for any sight in these plans. Foreign visitors need the Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, the same one used for Gangtok, and should check with their operator that it covers Pelling and Yuksom.
Yes. A ropeway from Pelling town up to Sangachoeling, near the Skywalk, opened in 2025. We could not find published hours or fares, so it is not in the plans; ask locally.
It is said to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim, but it is a steep walk of 45 minutes to an hour each way from Yuksom, so it is not in the Yuksom day. Add it if you stay a night in Yuksom.
Singshore Bridge is a very high suspension bridge about 25 km from Pelling near Uttarey, and Sewaro Rock Garden is a small garden on the road towards Dentam. Neither is in these plans; ask your driver to add them to the Darap day if you have time.
Longer than the times shown. The roads are narrow and winding, and in and after the monsoon there are landslide repairs. Allow extra time on every drive, most of all to Yuksom and Ravangla.