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A Little Guide on Pelling, West Sikkim

In the mood to travel to the North East belt of India? Well, consider adding Pelling, West Sikkim to your must-visit list. West Sikkim boasts surreal biodiversity, diverse and exotic flora and fauna, glaciers, beautiful lakes, vast forests, and much more — making it an ideal vacation spot whether you’re traveling with family, a partner, or even solo. You can’t go wrong in West Sikkim!

What makes it even more interesting is that it’s still a relatively unexplored, tiny hamlet in Sikkim. It’s also easy to reach by car or by taking a bus from Siliguri.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what you can do in Pelling.

Pelling is garnering a lot of attention lately Pelling is garnering a lot of attention lately

What is West Sikkim Famous for?

Popular for housing some of the oldest and holiest Buddhist monasteries in the world, and offering one of the best views of the southeast face of Mt. Kangchenjunga, West Sikkim is a perfect blend of nature and religious history. The region owes its tranquility and calmness to its beautiful, age-old monasteries like Pemayangtse and Sangachoeling.

Things to do in Pelling, West Sikkim

Pelling is a beautiful tourist destination in West Sikkim, perfect for both couples and families. Experiencing Pelling’s tranquility and beauty was truly a pleasure. We traveled to Pelling from Kalimpong via Namchi and were fortunate to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings at the famous and equally beautiful Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple. Surrounded by emerald forests and situated on the banks of the glittering River Rangit, the temple is the oldest in the state.

It is famously said that whoever prays at Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple will have their wishes fulfilled, if sought wholeheartedly. The temple is also a renowned Hindu pilgrimage site. Its main attractions include the grandly celebrated festivals of Bala Chaturdashi, held every November–December, and Maha Shivaratri, which falls in February or March.

Among the many things to do in Pelling, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the rural parts of the region—taking long walks through the villages, getting to know the locals, and learning about their culture.

Trekking literally took our breath away! The beautiful and well-maintained monasteries were a delight to visit, and chatting with the monks taught us so many new things. The stunning views made our evenings even more memorable and added to the overall experience. Finding tasty food here is quite easy, just like everywhere else in the region! The local cuisine had us licking our fingers, and the cozy cafes and restaurants felt just like home.

Arriving in Pelling, West Sikkim, was a long journey from Kalimpong, so we decided to spend some time relaxing in our hotel room to recover from the travel and unwind.

The beauty surrounding Shiva Temple in Pelling, West Sikkim The beauty surrounding Shiva Temple in Pelling, West Sikkim

Full Day of Exploring Pelling & Around

Later, we took the full-day trip to Pemayangtse Monastery, the most renowned, three-storeyed monastery in the state of Sikkim and Glass Skywalk, the oldest monastery in the Sikkim, with a beautiful glass skywalk.

Then was our full-day trip to the surreal Khecheopalri Lake, a wishing lake in forested surrounds, and a popular pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. And Shingshore Suspension Bridge followed by the mesmerising Kanchendzonga Waterfalls and an overnight stay in Pelling, putting an end to this amazing trip to the West Sikkim.

Here’s a list of awesome things to do in Pelling –

  • We started our exploration by visiting India’s first ever glass skywalk and the 137 ft tall statue of Chenrezig. This Buddhist pilgrimage site is a must visit for those magnificent views from the hilltop. 
  • After that, we started our journey to the Khecheopalri Lake. Visit the Khecheopalri Lake, one of the most sacred lakes in West Pelling, truly mystical and peaceful. It is believed to be a wish fulling lake. It is said that any of your wishes, that you may have will be fulfilled if you wish in the front of this serene lake.
  • Enjoy an intimate picnic at the Kanchenjunga Falls, Pelling. Take a lot of pictures like we did; you are sure to be enticed by the chilled gushing water splattering everywhere and making everything look beautiful.
  • Witness the scenic waterfall, Rimbi waterfall enroute to Kanchenjunga Falls, Pelling. Just spending some time there was an amazing experience! We didn’t stop here for a long time but did take a picture with the sprouting stream of white. 
  • Savour the authentic and delicious taste of Sikkim food at Pelling.
  • Spend a peaceful time at the Pemayangtse Monastery.

We loved our visit to Khecheopalri Lake in Pelling, West Sikkim We loved our visit to Khecheopalri Lake in Pelling, West Sikkim

Who wouldn't want to see Kanchenjunga Falls. Who wouldn’t want to see Kanchenjunga Falls.

Here’s a list of some of the best restaurants in Pelling, West Sikkim 

1. Lotus Bakery – Famously known for its decent and delicious bakery, and amazing food to keep coming back for.

2. Hotel Kabur Restaurant – Their must-try includes Momos and Thukpa.

3. Big Bowl – This one’s a winner as along with tasty and hot served food they also have a very friendly staff.

4. Melting Point Restaurant – Known for its great food and a tranquil view to accompany your food with.

5. Havmor – It is famous for serving a variety and tasty vegetarian food.

And, here’s a list of some of the best shopping places in Pelling, West Sikkim 

1. Geyzing Bazaar – Visit Geyzing Bazaar if you want to treasure the memories of Pelling tour. Approximately situated 10 Kms from the center of Pelling, this market was started by a monk of Pemayangtse Monastery, considering the need of the local people and assisting them in covering their daily needs from here.

2. Lama Tenzing Wangdak Place – You must not miss this market in Pelling if you are in the mood to shop. It has a large variety of products which you just can’t miss out on.

3. Rural Artisan Marketing Center – You will find traditional clothing along with local crafts, wall hangings, and unique souvenirs for travelers. This place can also be explored for organic local items like Tibetan tea, cardamom, walnuts, etc. The market has rich cultural items and many other things.

4. Rinchenpong Bazaar – It is more a local market however this market offers a lot of options for everyone. You can’t return empty-handed from here. From ironware, utensils, rugs, carpets, brassware to traditional textiles, everything is available here. This is one of those places you can’t miss out on.

5. Bermiok Bazaar – Located in the center of the city and one of the popular tourist attractions, you’ll find a lot of daily use products in this bazaar as it is quite frequently visited by the locals for their needs. Travelers will get a variety of leather products, camel leather items.

Hotel Magpie Chestnut Resort 

Staying at the Magpie Chestnut Resort added to the whole experience. It’s a great place to perfectly witness the beauty of snow-clad Kanchenjunga. It is safe to say that Magpie Chestnut Resort is a sophisticated boutique hotel offering premium services and very warm hospitality. You can easily witness panoramic views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga Mountain range from the comfort of your cozy rooms. At the same time, you get to relish delicious buffet prepared with a lot of love by the staff members.

Magpie Chestnut is a stunning resort in Pelling, Sikkim Magpie Chestnut is a stunning resort in Pelling, Sikkim

The hotel lit up during the night time. The hotel lit up during the night time.

Other Hotel Recommendations –

  1. The Elgin Mount Pandim – A heritage hotel in Pelling that is recommended for couples and family alike. It is perched atop a hill so the views are unbeatable.
  2. The Chumbi Mountain Resort & Spa – This is a luxury resort in Pelling that is most suitable for nature lovers. The resort offers a feel of Sikkimese culture and is great for families traveling together.
  3. Kaya Gantavya Resort & Spa – An absolutely lovely hotel in Pelling that offers incredible views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The resort is beautiful and the hospitality is great.

Your Sikkim trip doesn’t have to wait anymore. Plan your trip now & hopefully this guide would come in handy!

2 responses to “A Little Guide on Pelling, West Sikkim”

  1. Nishita says:

    😱😳 OMG this is prank

  2. Pranjal says:

    My favorite film is bhool bhulaiya 2 .

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