Pelling, India: travel guide
A west Sikkim hill town facing Kangchenjunga and Pemayangtse Monastery
Remote Sikkim town with front-row views of the Kangchenjunga massif, ancient Pemayangtse Monastery, and the Kanchenjunga Waterfalls.
About Pelling
Pelling is a hill town in western Sikkim, and its main attraction is the view. On a clear morning the Kangchenjunga range fills the northern skyline, and the town's ridge makes that outlook available from many hotel windows.
Beyond the mountain panorama, you can visit Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim's older Buddhist monasteries, and go on short walks through rhododendron and cardamom country. The Skywalk and nearby waterfalls are other popular stops, with the Rabdentse ruins a short drive away. Cloud often rolls in by midday, so early starts are worthwhile.
Things to do in Pelling are quiet and scenic, which suits couples, photographers and slow travellers. Spring brings rhododendron blooms, and autumn tends to offer clear mountain views, while the monsoon is wet and often cloudy.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Pelling
Khecheopalri Lake
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹10
A sacred "wishing lake" revered by Buddhists and Hindus, where leaves are said never to float on the surface, set amid prayer-flag-draped forest.
Pemayangtse Monastery
monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹20, Rs 20 per person.
One of Sikkim's oldest and most important Nyingma monasteries (1705), with a famed seven-tiered wooden Zangdok Palri sculpture and Kanchenjunga views.
Pelling Sunrise Kanchenjunga Morning View
viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Pelling is famous for its extraordinary sunrise views of Kanchenjunga (8586m) — the world third highest mountain — turning pink and orange in the dawn light from the clear December-March mornings.
Pelling Skywalk Glass Bridge Sikkim
viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹50
The Pelling Skywalk and glass bridge suspended over the Rimbi River valley give dramatic views of the Kanchenjunga range and the Rimbi waterfall gorge below. One of the most spectacular viewpoints in Sikkim.
Pelling Upper Viewpoint Himalayan Panorama
viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Upper Pelling ridge gives the widest panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga range and the glaciated peaks of West Sikkim — the single best accessible mountain viewpoint in West Sikkim.
Kanchenjunga Himalayan Sunset Colours
viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Himalayan sunset from Pelling — the Kanchenjunga range turns vivid pink, then deep orange, then purple in a 30-minute colour sequence that is one of the most spectacular natural light shows in the Eastern Himalayas.
Pelling Highland Flowers Rhododendron Season
forest · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The rhododendron season in West Sikkim (March-April) turns the forest hillsides vivid red and pink — the state has 36 rhododendron species including the remarkable tree rhododendrons at 2000-4000m altitude.
Pelling March Rhododendron Bloom Season
forest · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The rhododendron season in West Sikkim (March-April) turns the forest hillsides vivid red and pink — the state has 36 rhododendron species including remarkable tree rhododendrons at 2000-4000m altitude.
Pelling Local Sikkimese Food Trail
cafe · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The traditional Sikkimese cuisine of Pelling area — thukpa (noodle soup), Sikkimese momo (dumplings), chhang (millet beer), and the distinctive local dal bhat with bamboo shoot fermentation — is served in small local restaurants.
Pelling Winter Snow Experience
viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Pelling receives snowfall from December-February — the combination of fresh snow on the monastery roofs, deep white blanket on the forest, and the extraordinary Kanchenjunga backdrop creates one of the finest winter landscapes in India.
Pelling Rimbi Valley Cable Car
viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Pelling Cable Car (ropeway) descends from Upper Pelling to the Rimbi River valley giving spectacular aerial views of the Kanchenjunga range and the forested gorge below.
Pemayangtse Prayer Flag Dawn Forest
monastery · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The hillside below Pemayangtse Monastery is festooned with thousands of colourful Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags strung between the pines — at dawn when mist swirls through them the effect is extraordinarily atmospheric.
Things to do
- Pelling Sightseeing Tour Cultural · 5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Khecheopalri Lake & Falls Tour Nature · 5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Skywalk & Chenrezig Visit Activity · 1.3 h · from INR 50 per person
- Singshore Bridge & Uttarey Drive Nature · 3 h · from INR 1,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- West Sikkim Highlights Tour 8 h · from INR 1,800
- Khecheopalri & Yuksom Trip 9 h · from INR 2,000
- Singshore Bridge & Falls Day 6 h · from INR 1,500
Where to stay in Pelling
- Main Town about INR 2,000 per night
Mountain town with guesthouses and monastery views
Hotels
- Chumbi Mountain Resort & Spa Pelling 5-star · INR 10,000 to INR 32,000 per night
- Sumitel Pelling 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 11,000 per night
- Norbu Ghang Retreat & Spa Pelling 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 25,000 per night
- Elgin Mount Pandim 4-star · INR 8,000 to INR 22,000 per night
- Mount Magnolia Boutique Hotel & Spa 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 13,000 per night
- The Nettle and Fern Farmstay Pelling 3-star · INR 2,000 to INR 6,000 per night
Where to eat
- Sikkim Himalayan View Restaurant Pelling Sikkimese, Multi-cuisine, Heritage · about INR 500 per person
- Hotel Garuda Restaurant Pelling Sikkimese, Nepali, Multi-cuisine · about INR 450 per person
- Pelling Glass Skywalk Cafe Cafe, Sikkimese, Tea · about INR 300 per person
- Pelling Sunset Hotel Restaurant Sikkimese, Continental, Multi-cuisine · about INR 500 per person
- Pelling Traditional Sikkimese Thali Sikkimese, Thali, Traditional · about INR 300 per person
- Pelling Pemayangste Monastery Canteen Vegetarian, Buddhist, Canteen · about INR 150 per person
- Pelling Bamboo House Restaurant Sikkimese, Traditional, Heritage · about INR 450 per person
- Pelling Kanchenjunga View Cafe Cafe, Tea, Sikkimese · about INR 300 per person
Getting to Pelling
Nearest airport: Darjeeling (IXB), about 69 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Shared Taxi
- Taxi
- Walking
More in India
Frequently asked questions about Pelling
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Pelling?
- The highest-rated places in our Pelling guide are Pelling Sunrise Kanchenjunga Morning View, Kanchenjunga Himalayan Sunset Colours, Pelling Highland Flowers Rhododendron Season, Pelling March Rhododendron Bloom Season, Pelling Upper Viewpoint Himalayan Panorama.
- Where should I stay in Pelling?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Pelling: Main Town.
- How do I get around Pelling?
- Ways to get around Pelling covered in our guide: Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.