Pelling is a small town in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, at the foothills of Mount Khangchendzonga. Pelling is nestled at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,200 feet) and is one of the most picturesque places to visit during any trip to Sikkim! After having explored East Sikkim to the fullest, including the serene town of Gangtok and the rugged escapades of Tsomgo Lake, it was time to move on to the next leg of our journey. A good 125 KM stretch separates the East of Sikkim from the West that takes anything between 4-5 hours via road. This Pelling Travel Guide is a one-stop shop for budding travellers like us who are interested to explore the offbeat gems of Sikkim!
Pelling represents a picturesque little town surrounded by rolling hills, making it a refreshing getaway with perfect misty, cloudy weather – the stuff great Indian holidays are made of. The land around Pelling is a virgin territory and is bathed with alpine vegetation, with numerous waterfalls lining the hillside. Views of the Himalayas and Khangchendzonga are visible at close quarters from this beautiful town. While Pelling is not yet as commercial as Shimla & Manali, or as cut-off as Tosh, it is a refreshing change of pace for city dwellers like us. However, Pelling does include amazing natural beauty, historical & cultural delights and a lot of adventure to-dos.
"So there does exist a town in India, where it doesn't matter which hotel/lodge you stay in, just open a window and you will be blessed with astonishing views of the snow-capped Khangchendzonga!"
Top 5 Places to visit in Pelling:
Pelling town is divided into three parts – Upper Pelling, Middle Pelling and Lower Pelling. Upper Pelling has most number of hotels among the three, so you can find most of the backpackers and tourists roaming around. Also, the views from Upper Pelling are the best due to its location. Middle and Lower Pelling consist of the local brewery shops and marketplace. You can simply walk to places of interest, as Pelling is a small town. Compared to other touristy places of Sikkim, Pelling is still not so crowded. This leaves some space for you to spend some calm and soothing days. Just you, a cup of tea and the breathtaking surroundings!!
1. Rabdentse Ruins:
Rabdentse was once the capital of the kingdom of Sikkim. The ruins are 10 km from Pelling and 40 km from Ravangla. The invading Gurkha army destroyed the city in the 18th century, and today, its ruins stand as a sentinel of its regal past. Passing through the gate of Rabdentse on the Pelling-Geyzing road, there's a trail through a forest of chestnut trees. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the Rabdentse ruins a heritage site, often referred to as India’s own Machu Picchu.
The old palace and monastery complex at the top offers a scenic view of the Khangchendzonga ranges. The northern wing contains remnants of the royal residence and an open quadrangle with three chortens where the royals would pray. A seven-foot-long marble slab lies where the locals go and offer prayers to date. The southern wing features a throne and is the religious complex where the ordinary people would pray and seek an audience with the king. While this is a moderate trek for young folks, this is a highly recommended place to visit in Pelling.
2. Khecheopalri Lake
Khecheopalri Lake was the next stop. The lake is 30 km from Pelling and 70 km from Ravangla. A considerable number of cars at the parking slowed the traffic. The 9.2 acres lake is believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake and the most sacred of Sikkim. The lake is originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri which means the heaven of Lord Padmasambhava.
Numerous Tibetan prayer flags flutter in the wind, and one feel having walked into a magical kingdom. Trekking through a forest; en route, one can see rare flora and fauna. Prayer wheels along the wooden jetty lead you to the bank of Khecheopalri Lake. According to the natives, the lake is shaped like the foot of Goddess Tara and it fulfils any wish made by the locals. One of the fascinating facts is that though the lake is surrounded by deep greenery, not a single leaf is found on the surface of the lake. Locals believe that the birds residing by the lakes keep its surface clean.
3. Buddha Park, Ravangla
The Buddha Park is also known as Tathagata Tsal. The park is 1 km from Ravangla and 50 km from Pelling. It is a sprawling park with a 130-foot (40 m) high statue of the Buddha as its centrepiece. The gorgeous statue of Sakyamuni Buddha can be seen in all parts of Southwest Sikkim. It is an alluring park for visitors to enjoy greater peace with spacious pathways for soothing strolls and picturesque surroundings. The pleasant weather, soft Buddhist mantras playing everywhere and the tranquil surroundings made our visit to Ravangla the most memorable one! Relish the steaming hot veg momos behind the cafe area while getting a direct view of the Buddha statue making this place a must visit.
4. Rimbi River Orange Garden & Rimbi Waterfalls
Rimbi River Orange garden is located a KM away from Rimbi Falls and 13kms away from the main town of Pelling at Rimbi village. Rimbi Orange Garden is also known as Sewaro Rock Garden and is government-funded. One cam also find cardamom trees along with the orange trees in this picturesque garden. If one wishes then they can even buy orange or cardamon from this garden. Enjoy the solace of this place by sitting at the rocks by the river while relishing the solitude of nature and the surrounding mountain ranges.
A small stunner of a waterfall, right by the road, it is enough to make you want to jump out of your car and take a photo or two! Rimbi Waterfalls is located at a distance of 12kms from the main town of Pelling. It is one of the most scenic and famous waterfalls of Pelling. The fall is formed over the Rimbi river and cascades from a great height. Just after the monsoon, the waterfall looks stunning with enough water gushing down from it. Much smaller than the Kanchenjunga Falls, however, as it is right on the road, it is convenient for everyone to visit and carry on. Due to its easy accessibility, it is most likely to be crowded during peak season, but it was ours for admiring when we stopped our car here.
5. Pelling Skywalk
Building ginormous statues in natural settings seems to be the trend these days, and here’s another such monument, right besides the Sangla Choeling Monastery. A massive statue of Chenrezig (Avalokiesvara), the most revered of all the Boddhisattvas can be seen from most places in Pelling, but it is only when you’re standing at the feet of the statue, do you get an idea how intricately carved this 137-foot statue is. Pelling Skywalk is indeed another key attraction of our visit to the West Sikkim state of Pelling. In November 2018, Sikkim got India’s first skywalk. The attraction is 10 km from Pelling and 50 km from Ravangla. The glass bottom skywalk overlooks the marvellous valleys and mountains. A long haul of the stairs with golden prayer wheels on both sides leads up to 137 feet tall statue of Chenrezig.
The place is mostly packed with tourists all the time. The skywalk’s hype and popularity were evident. Having said that, one can enjoy a quiet stroll along the haul of stairs on the side at your own pace! There is a nominal entry fee to get in, and once you do, walk along the glass skywalk (which is quite a thrill for many since it is high above the ground), and go up the stairs to the statue, turning every prayer wheel as you make your way to the top. If it’s a clear day, you would get unrivaled views of the mountains from here, but sunny day or not, this is a must-visit place in Pelling.
Other Things to Know:
Pelling is a fabulous place to work for a remote worker/freelancer, as there is excellent Airtel and Jio network. There are not many cafes to work out of, so you would need to work out of your hotel room. Also remember to carry sufficient cash with you – ATMs are few and far between!
I hope you found this Travel Guide to Pelling, Sikkim, just what you needed to plan your holiday, backpacking trip or luxury stay. If your heart throbs first with the enchanting beauty of nature and you love to explore, then this place should be your next vacation destination. Stay here in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, offering a misty beauty of Alpine forest and lush green valley.
The colors of flowery land and numerous unknown species of flora and fauna will welcome you here. Also, your anxiety and stress will find a way to dissolve itself in the chirping chant of the colorful unnamed birds.
Therefore don’t wait much, just book your tickets now to spend quality time in Pelling, in your coming vacation time.
At the end of the day spent in Pelling, we came back to our hotel for a good hearty dinner! Post the same, we retired to our rooms & began packing for the next part of our trip to Darjeeling. Stay tuned for more....
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