Two days covers Pelling well. Day one is the Skywalk and Chenrezig statue, Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse Ruins, Changey Waterfalls and Darap village, about 43 km. Day two is Rimbi Waterfalls, Khecheopalri Lake, Kathok Lake and the coronation throne in Yuksom, and Kanchenjunga Falls, about 81 km. No sight here closes on a fixed weekday, so the days can go in either order.
10 places124 km by cabtimed against opening hours
Day 1
Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse and Darap
The Skywalk and Chenrezig statue first, then Pemayangtse Monastery and a forest walk to the Rabdentse Ruins, lunch, then Changey Waterfalls and a slow walk through Darap village. About 43 km by cab, back in Pelling by about 16:30. Works on any day.
09:00 to 16:215 places43 km by cab
1Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue
2Pemayangtse Monastery
3Rabdentse Ruins
Lunch
4Changey Waterfalls
5Darap Village
Back
★
Leave Upper Pelling
2.8 km · 8 min by cab
1
Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue
1 h here
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.
Monasteries & statuesAbout 09:00 to 16:30; listings differ (08:00 to 16:30, 09:00 to 17:00)?
Tip: There is a ticket and a long flight of steps up from the parking. The old Sangachoeling Monastery is further up the same hill on foot. It can close in heavy monsoon rain.
4.6 km · 13 min by cab
2
Pemayangtse Monastery
45 min here
One 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.
Monasteries & statuesAbout 08:00 to 16:00 (the district site says to 17:00)
Tip: There is a small entry fee (about Rs 20). Photos are not allowed inside the prayer hall. Rabdentse is a few minutes down the same road.
1.1 km · 5 min by cab
3
Rabdentse Ruins
1 h 15 min here
The 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.
Old SikkimAbout 10:00 to 17:00 (the district site says from 08:00)
Tip: The cab stops at the gate. It is about a 30 minute walk each way on a forest path, so wear good shoes. Entry is free.
Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
11 km · 27 min by cab
4
Changey Waterfalls
1 h here
A 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.
Lakes & waterfallsOpen-air waterfall; go in daylight (one listing says 08:00 to 17:00)?
Tip: The last part is a walk of about 20 minutes from the road, so allow an hour in all. Paths are slippery after rain.
16.1 km · 33 min by cab
5
Darap Village
45 min here
A 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.
Views & villagesA village; visit in daylight?
Tip: Be polite and ask before photographing people or homes. A homestay tea is the easiest way to meet a family.
7.4 km · 10 min by cab back
★
Back at Upper Pelling
Day 2
Khecheopalri Lake, the falls and Yuksom
West to Rimbi Waterfalls and Khecheopalri Lake, on to Yuksom for Kathok Lake and the Norbugang Coronation Throne, lunch in Yuksom, and Kanchenjunga Falls on the way back. About 81 km by cab, back in Pelling by about 14:40 on a clear road; on these hill roads expect an hour or so later.
09:00 to 14:395 places81 km by cab
1Rimbi Waterfalls
2Khecheopalri Lake
3Kathok Lake
4Norbugang Coronation Throne
Lunch
5Kanchenjunga Falls
Back
★
Leave Upper Pelling
11.7 km · 16 min by cab
1
Rimbi Waterfalls
20 min here
A 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.
Lakes & waterfallsRoadside waterfall; listed 08:00 to 17:00 or 18:00
Tip: It is free and only a few steps from the road. In the dry months, from about February to April, it is thin.
13.8 km · 23 min by cab
2
Khecheopalri Lake
45 min here
A 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.
Lakes & waterfallsAbout 08:00 to 17:00; some listings say dawn to dusk
Tip: From the car park it is a short, easy walk. Expect a small fee (about Rs 20 to 30) and keep your voice low: it is a place of prayer.
21.3 km · 40 min by cab
3
Kathok Lake
15 min here
A 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.
Lakes & waterfallsOpen-air lake; go in daylight?
Tip: It is a short stop. Do not expect a big lake: it is small and can look dull in the dry months.
A short walk
4
Norbugang Coronation Throne
40 min here
A 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.
Old SikkimAbout 09:00 to 17:00
Tip: Entry is free. Yuksom is a small village, so lunch is easy to find on the main street nearby.
Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
10 km · 16 min by cab
5
Kanchenjunga Falls
30 min here
A 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.
Lakes & waterfallsAbout 08:00 to 17:00
Tip: It is about 100 steps up from the parking, and the rocks near the water are slippery. Expect a small fee (about Rs 20).
24.1 km · 33 min by cab back
★
Back at Upper Pelling
Drive times come from road routing without traffic. West Sikkim's roads are narrow, steep and winding, with landslide repairs in and after the monsoon, so real drives take longer than shown, often much longer on the Yuksom and Ravangla roads. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.
Book a cab for these 2 days
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.
2 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator
We are still listing Pelling operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
Opening times for this plan
The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.
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
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
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.
Yes, for Pelling, Khecheopalri and Yuksom. Add a third day for Tashiding Monastery and the Buddha Park at Ravangla.
Which order should the two days go in?+
Either. If the mountains are hidden on your first morning, do the Yuksom day first and keep the Skywalk for the next, clearer morning.
What can I do with the free afternoon on day two?+
Day two is back by about 14:40 on a clear road. Take the ropeway up to Sangachoeling, or walk round Upper Pelling and the helipad for the evening light.