Pelling Tourism And Travel Guide

Situated at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,200 feet), Pelling is a small town located in the foothills of Mount Kangchenjunga, in west Sikkim, a north-eastern state of India. A place of breath-taking beauty, Pelling offers scenic views and mesmerizing locales. But its greatest claim to fame is that it offers the best and closest view of the Kanchenjunga peak, the third highest mountain peak in the world. Tourism in Pelling is a mix of adventure and scenic peace. To start making plans, read this travel guide to Pelling for guidance.

With Pelling becoming a popular tourist destination, efforts are on to link it better with mainland India. There are bus and jeep services from various towns and cities of Sikkim.

Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra International Airport. Bagdogra is a town in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. There are taxis and buses available from Bagdogra to Pelling. The airport also has regular helicopter flights to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, from where jeep services to Pelling are available.

Rail: The nearest railway station is Siliguri, a city spanning Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal. Just 130 km away, you can book a taxi or board a bus to your destination.

Road: Regular buses run between Pelling with Gyalshing. Jeeps are also available from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, starting at 7:00 a.m. and going on till 12:30 p.m. Other than Gangtok, there are regular jeeps connecting Pelling to the towns of Jorethang, Kalimpong, and Namchi.

With a temperate climate, Sikkim rarely witnesses temperatures exceeding 28°C during the summers. The average temperature of Sikkim during the rest of year is around 18°C. In winters, there's moderate snowfall. So, the best time to visit Pelling would be during the summer months of May, June, and July.

Trek to Khecheopalri Lake: You can go trekking to Khecheopalri Lake, which is 18 km away from Pelling. The lake lies in a depression and is surrounded by prayer flags and forested hills. It is a full-day hike that will take you at least five hours. If you trek for another 1.5km uphill, you will reach Khecheopalri Gumpa.

Trek to Bhaley Dunga: You can also go trekking to Bhaley Dunga, which is a cliff top from where you can view the mountains and the town of Yangang right below. You can then walk downhill to reach the Sangacholing Monastery.

Visit the Sangachoeling Monastery: The Buddhist monasteries of Pelling are some of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim. You can go see the Sangachoeling Monastery, built in the 16th century. Accessible only by foot, it is a 45-minute walk from Pelling.

The most popular dishes are Gya Thuk or Thukpa, a noodle-based soup with vegetables or meat; Momos, which are dumplings stuffed with minced meat, vegetables or cheese; and Sha Phaley, which is bread stuffed with seasoned beef and cabbage. The best places to sample these delicacies are Melting Point and Big Bowl, both restaurants located in Upper Pelling, The Rabdentse, in Lower Pelling, Hotel Ivory on Pelling Road.

You can buy hand-woven carpets, shawls, and blankets in Lepcha weave, intricately carved tables (locally known as choktse), cloth bags, handmade paper products, colourful threaded scarves, Buddhist religious items, wall hangings, and traditional Tibetan thangkas (paintings). The Rural Artisan Marketing Centre is the perfect place to go to.