Things To Do In Rinchenpong

The village of Rinchenpong located in the western regions of Sikkim is situated at an altitude of 1600 m and may be known best for the views of Kanchenjunga that are on offer here. However, there is so much more to this remote town, popularly known as the Silent Valley, than simply the mountain vistas; whether exploring the religious monuments of Rinchenpong or staying with the locals to know more about their culture and heritage, a trip to Rinchenpong will truly prove a memorable one for all.

Apart from a number of sightseeing locales, adventure junkies will also find a number of daytime activities to keep them occupied here. A place that inspired numerous verses from the famous Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore, here is a list of the top things to do on your next trip to Rinchenpong.

The glorious Kanchenjunga can be viewed from a number of places like Darjeeling and Pelling, yet the pristine vistas offered from Rinchenpong appear more divine than any other region. The sun rising from behind the peak and setting into the silhouette of the mountain range is a sight worth witnessing and one that will prove to be a memorable one.

The Rinchenpong-Kaluk region is located in the buffer zone of the famous Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Although its just 30 km away, it takes about an hour to get to the sanctuary from Rinchenpong due to the hilly terrain. Trekking through the blooming varieties of rhododendrons is a fun way to explore the natural habitat of a number of bird and animal species that call this sanctuary home.

The Lepchas are the native inhabitants of Sikkim; their homes provide a glimpse into their ancient heritage, which doubles up as museums, home-stays or artifact shops in certain regions. Traditionally built Lepcha houses are an interesting sight to explore and you must find the opportunity to interact with the local Lepcha tribe, strive to know more about their culture. 

Around 6 km away from Rinchenpong, the world’s largest prayer wheel is located at the Hee Water Garden. Additionally, visitors can also take a trip to the famed Chaaya Taal that is situated less than an hour away. The Singshore Bridge and Dentam Valley are encountered on the way from Pelling to Rinchenpong, and are both must-see for those traveling from the aforementioned town.

Near the Maggi Dara monastery, a stone plaque holds verses from Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali. The great poet had spent some time of his life here and the plaque was set up to commemorate his stay. Also known as Rabindra Smriti Van, an afforestation program organized here by the Sikkim government has proven to be a great place to take short walks among the serene ambience of nature.