Exploring the beauty of Sikkim – Pelling Ravangla Yuksom

The name “Sikkim” is believed to have originated from the Limbu words “Su” (new) and “Khyim” (palace or house), which together mean “new palace” or “new house.” So we will be exploring the beauty of Sikkim from Pelling to Ravangla via Yuksum.

Pelling

Pelling, a beautiful town in the West district of Sikkim, has become the second biggest tourist destination in Sikkim after Gangtok. Located 10 km from Geyzing and 130 km from Gangtok, the main attraction of the place is the breathtaking sight of the Khangchendzonga. The scenic town of Pelling is a perfect holiday destination for all nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

Pelling in Sikkim is divided into three main areas: Upper, Middle, and Lower Pelling.

1. Upper Pelling: Known for high-end hotels and views of the Kanchenjunga range. Ideal for tourists seeking comfortable stays and scenic viewpoints.

2. Middle Pelling: Features mid-range accommodations and easy access to eateries, making it popular among budget travelers. It’s central to most attractions in Pelling.

3. Lower Pelling: Primarily residential, with a few homestays and shops. It’s quieter and suited for visitors wanting a peaceful environment.

This ridge being situated in between two old Buddhist monasteries (Pemayangtse and Sangacholing) developed into a full-fledged village named Pelling. Today, Pelling is one of the best-chosen tourist hotspots in Sikkim.

A destination for all seasons, Pelling has hotels and resorts catering to all budgets. Named after the guardian deity of Sikkim, Khangchendzonga Festival is held at Pelling every year.

Ravangla

Ravangla is a small tourist town with an elevation of 8000 feet located, near Namchi city in the Namchi district. It is approximately 65 km from the state capital, Gangtok, and 120 km from Siliguri, West bengal. The name is derived from the Sikkimese language. ‘Ra’ means wild sheep, ‘vong’ translates to a rearing place, and ‘la’ means a pass.

The Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, is situated near Rabong (Ravangla) in South Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. It was constructed between 2006 and 2013 and features a 130-foot (40 m) high statue of the Buddha as its centerpiece.The statue was consecrated on 25 March 2013 by the 14th Dalai Lama, and became a stop on the ‘Himalayan Buddhist Circuit’.The statue of the Buddha marks the occasion of the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. 

Yuksom/Yuksum

While exploring the beauty of Sikkim from Pelling to Ravangla we halted at Yuksum or Yuksom (Sikkim’s first capital as we heard from our cab driver). The Goechala Trek starts from here, infact the homestay where we stayed (Chungda Hidden Homestay) was very near to the starting point of this trek. Early morning we trekked to the gateway from where the real trekking starts (Khangchendzonga National Park).

Yuksum is also known as the meeting place of the three learned monks. As per the mythology of Sikkim, in the year 1642, Buddhist monk (Lama) Lhatsun Chempo came from Tibet to Yuksum via Dzongri route and met here with with two other Buddhist monks from Tibet Sempa Chempo and Rinzing Chempo.

Best time to Visit

The best time to visit is from October to May. Winter season and the onset of summers is the most favorable time to travel and ideal for exploring the beauty of Sikkim. The summers have a pleasant weather and perfect for sightseeing and light trekking. The winters have clear skies,  mountain views and snow capped mountains which is ideal for photography and good for travellers who enjoy the winter season, I am one of them.

Try to avoid travelling in the monsoon season (June to September) as travel may be challenging due to rain and majorly due to landslide where you may get stuck for days.

Altitude

Altitude of Pelling is 7050 ft, Ranvangla is 8000 ft and Yuksum is 5840 ft. So visiting these places in the winter won’t be a challenge due to snowfall as their altitude is not that high. In winters the temperature in Pelling typically ranges from 3°C to 10°C, Ravangla typically ranges from 5°C and -2°C and Yuksum typically ranges from 3°C and -5°C. 

In summers the temperature in Pelling typically ranges from 10°C to 20°C, Ravangla typically ranges from 15°C and 25°C and Yuksum typically ranges from 10°C and 20°C.So according to these temperatures you can decide on the backpack that needs to be done depending on the season you are travelling to these places.

Since you are travelling to the hill station and will be exploring the beauty of Sikkim so I would suggest carry a rucksack instead of carrying a trolley as the rucksuck can be carried on the back which will be easier for your transfers.

How to Reach

1. By Air: The nearest airport is Pakyong Airport, with very limited flights and sometimes they might be cancelled also. So the best way to come by air would be Bagdogra Airport is around 140 km away and would take approximately 5hours if opting for private car.
   The car fare from Bagdogra Airport to Pelling normally ranges from ₹ 4,500 to ₹ 5,500 for a one-way trip. Try negotiating with the driver to get a better price. You can also hire a shared taxi. Also you can take a taxi to the Siliguri bus stand and then board a Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) bus to Pelling. You can book bus tickets online through websites like MakeMyTrip or redBus. 
2. By Train: The nearest railway station is NJP (New Jalpaiguri) Railway Station. Once you get out of the station you will find multiple cab options (personal and shared). The distance from NJP station to Pelling is approximately 140 Km and would take approximately 5hours if opting for private car. You can also opt for SNT bus as mentioned above.
   If you are coming from Kolkata then you can opt for Darjeeling Mail and Padatik express. Darjeeling mail leaves from Sealdah station at 10PM and reaches NJP around 8AM. Padatik express leaves exactly 1 hour after Darjeeling mail. If you want to travel in the morning then you can opt for Vande Bharat which leaves from Howrah station at 5:55AM and reaches NJP at 1:25PM.
3. By Road: If you are coming from Kolkata then you can board a luxury bus from Esplanade Bus Stand and reach Siliguri (Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus). The journey typically takes around 12 to 15 hours, depending on the bus type and road conditions.
   

   Bus Operators:

   • North Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC)
   • South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC)
   • Private operators like Easy Ride, Express Line, Royal Cruiser, and others

   Departure Points in Kolkata:

   • Esplanade Bus Stand
   • Karunamoyee Bus Terminal
   • Dhulagarh Bus Stand

   Arrival Points in Siliguri:

   • Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus
   • Siliguri Junction
   • Other designated stops within the city

   Timings:

   • Buses generally depart in the late afternoon or evening
   • NBSTC buses have departures around 15:00 and 19:00
   • Private operators may have departures between 18:00 and 21:00

   Fares:

   • Ticket prices range from ₹450 to ₹1,800, depending on the bus type and operator
   • Luxury services like Volvo or AC sleeper buses are priced higher
   • Since the journey is long, opting for a sleeper or semi-sleeper bus can provide more comfort
   • Plan your arrival in Siliguri considering the onward journey to NJP, keeping in mind the availability of local transport during early morning or late-night hours

Options to Reach Pelling

1. 1. Shared Cabs/Jeep: Shared cabs or jeeps frequently operate from Siliguri (near Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus) to Pelling. Look for shared jeeps heading to Geyzing (nearest town to Pelling). From Geyzing, you can get another shared cab to Pelling (10 km away). Shared cabs to Geyzing may also be available from NJP station.
      The distance between NJP Railway Station (New Jalpaiguri) and Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus in Siliguri is approximately 8–10 km. You can reach by auto-rickshaw or taxi which will take 15-20mins and by local bus it will take 25-30mins.
      Cost: ₹350 to ₹500 per person (up to Geyzing).
      Timings: Try to reach Siliguri early morning as morning departures of shared cabs/jeeps are common.
   2. Private Taxis: Hire a private taxi directly from Siliguri or NJP to Pelling.
      Cost: ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, depending on the vehicle type.
      Comfort: Ideal for families or groups for a more comfortable journey.
   3. Bus Services: There are limited bus services to Geyzing operated by the Sikkim National Transport (SNT).
      Departure Point: SNT Bus Stand in Siliguri.
      Travel Time: Around 7 hours.
      Cost: ₹150 to ₹250.
      Note: You’ll need to take a cab from Geyzing to Pelling after the bus ride.
   4. Tour Operator Services: If you have booked a tour package, then your tour operator will arrange for a vehicle which will be waiting for you at Siliguri or NJP.

Cab Booking for the Whole Tour

I had contacted the hotels in Pelling and Yuksum and asked them if they had any contact number for any good cab driver. After connecting with both the drivers and after doing some bargaining with both of them I fixed one of them who gave me the lowest price. 

Instead of going one way from NJP to Pelling (which would have costed me approx Rs.4500 to Rs.5500) and again taking different taxis for the sightseeing in Pelling , Yuksum and Ravangla (which also on an average would have costed me Rs.3500 to Rs.4500 each day), I had done a contract with that driver for all the 6 days at Rs.4000/day (which ultimately costed me less and I had no tension of searching for a new cab everyday for the sightseeing and the hotel transfers). 

Since his taxi was of Sikkim state so there was no issue in travelling for all the 6 days as there is some permit that West Bengal state cabs needs to take to enter Sikkim and vice versa. So West Bengal state cabs can drop you to Pelling but they cannot do any tourist pick up, drop or sightseeing in Sikkim. So keep this in mind while you are planning a trip to Sikkim.

The cab driver’s name is Bimal Chettri (contact: +91-9749587294), a very good and decent driver. You can connect with him if planning for a trip to Sikkim, though we hired a small cab, but if you require a SUV he might be able to arrange for the same also.

Accommodation and Tariffs

Pelling – We stayed at Hotel Garuda (budget hotel in Upper Pelling) with mountain view room with a clear view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The room and the service is also good.
Address: Pelling, Sikkim 737113
Contact: 9647880728

We stayed here for 3 nights and it costed us Rs.7500 (Rs.2500/night with complimentary breakfast).

Other options you can look for is Norbu Ghang Resort  or The Elgin Mount Pandim Hotel.

Yuksum: We stayed at Chungda Hidden Homestay. They gave us a grand welcome on reaching there. Their hospitality is very good. Located close to the Goechala trek start.
Contact: 9733194846

We stayed here for 1 night and it costed us Rs.2400 including evening snacks, dinner and breakfast.

As we were exploring the beauty of Sikkim and going towards Yuksum our cab driver provided an information that Danny Denzongpa one of the famous Bollywood actor was born in Yuksum and he runs a brewrery named Yuksum Breweries (HIT beer) which supplies to the whole of Sikkim. Also he has a many hotels in Yuksum and Gangtok.

Ravangla: We stayed here at Buddha Park Residency for 1 night which costed us around Rs.4830 including complimentary breakfast.The advantage of staying here is that the hotel is located inside the Buddha Park complex facing the Mt.Kanchendzonga so you can roam around the park even after the visiting hours.
Contact: 9733194846

You can also check out for Buddha Retreat or Ravongla Star Regency Hotel.

Pelling (Hotel Garuda) – 3 Nights
Yuksum (Chungda Hidden Homestay) – 1 Night
Ravangla (Buddha Park Residency) – 1 Night

Detailed Itinerary For The Whole Trip (6 days 5 nights)

Day0:

We boarded the Darjeeling mail from Sealdah station at 10PM.

Day1:

We reached NJP at 8:30AM and boarded our cab (which I had already booked) and started our trip to Pelling via Namchi Char Dham. We reached Namchi Char Dham by 12:30PM to 1PM. The distance of NJP station to Namchi Char Dham is about 104Km which took us approximately 3 and half hours.

Night stay at Hotel Garuda in Pelling.

Day2:

Next morning after having our breakfast we headed for exploring the beauty of Sikkim to Changey Waterfalls which is 9Km away from the hotel and took 15mins to reach.

After that we went to visit the Singshore bridge which is 12Km from Changey waterfall and took about 30mins.

The Singshore Bridge in Pelling (Sikkim) is one of India’s highest suspension bridges, towering about 100 meters (328 feet) above the ground and spanning 240 meters (787 feet) in length. it connects two hills and offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and waterfalls, making it a popular spot for tourists and photographers. 

Night stay at Hotel Garuda in Pelling.

Day3:

Next morning after completing our breakfast we again started exploring the beauty of Sikkim and headed towards our first destination, Skywalk which features a large statue of Chenrezig, the Buddhist deity of compassion. Standing at approximately 137 feet, the statue is part of the Chenrezig Singkham Riwo Potala complex. This impressive statue is one of the tallest Chenrezig statues in the world. The skywalk is 21Km from our hotel and it took 10mins to reach.

The Sangacholing Monastery is near to the skywalk.

Our next destination was Pemayangtse monastery which is 2Km from the hotel and took 6mins.

Next we headed towards our last destination for exploring the beauty of Sikkim, Rabdentse ruins which also has a bird sanctuary (Sidkeong Tulku Bird Park) (Entry Fee required)while you enter. The Rabdentse Ruins are the remnants of the second capital of the former Kingdom of Sikkim, established in the 17th century. The site includes palace ruins, chortens, and sacred stone seats known as the “Namphogang,” where royal judges made important decisions. Surrounded by lush forests, the ruins also provide stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range, blending history with natural beauty.

Night stay at Hotel Garuda in Pelling.

Day4:

Next morning after completing our breakfast and spending 3nights here in Hotel Garuda in Pelling it was time to say goodbye to Pelling and start our journey towards Yuksum for exploring the beauty of Sikkim .

On the way we visited the Darap Cherry Village which is 7.5Km from the hotel and took 18mins.

Next we visited the Rimbi Waterfall which is 4.6Km from Darap village took us 10mins.

From there we went to Rimbi Orange Garden (Entry Fee required) which is at a distance of 1km and took some 5mins to reach from Rimbi waterfall.

Next for exploring the beauty of Sikkim we went to Khecheopalri lake which is 12Km from rimbi garden and took about 3omins from Rimbi garden.

It will take about 1hour to reach the view point on the top and the same to get down. Khecheopalri Lake, also known as the “Wish-Fulfilling Lake,” is a sacred lake and it’s believed that any wish made here will come true. Though the lake is surrounded by dense forests, you will not find any leaves on the surface of the lake as the leaves that fall into it are swiftly removed by birds, keeping its surface clear.

After that we had our lunch and after our lunch we moved ahead to view the Kanchenjunga falls which is 17km away from Khecheopalri lake and it will take some 45mins from Khecheopalri lake.

After visiting Kanchenjunga falls we reached our homestay (Chungda Hidden Homestay) which took us about 30mins from Kanchenjunga falls (11km). The hospitality and the food was very good.

As we were having a chat with Mr. Chungda, he told us that we can atleast have a small trek to the gateway of the Goechela trek next morning. I am providing the number of the person (Dhanraj Gurung-9733196470) who arranges for the Goechala Pass trek, so if anyone is interested for that trek they can connect with him. If you stay in this homestay then you can call him and ask him to arrange for a small trek (it will take approx 2hrs to and fro) till the gateway from where the trek begins like we did early morning next day for a minimal charge.

Day5:

For exploring the beauty of Sikkim next day early morning at about 7AM we went out for the small trek with the guide who had come to take us.

We returned around 9AM (2hours trek), got some refreshment and had our breakfast. After having our breakfast we started our journey towards Ravangla, a yet another destination for exploring the beauty of Sikkim.

On our way to Ravangla we first visited Dubdi monastery (2.5km—7mins from Chungda homestay), next we went to Norbugang Park coronation throne and kathok lake (Entry Fee required for Kathok Lake). Next on the way to Ravangla you can also visit the Bon Monastery (you need to climb some stairs to reach there).

After that we reached our hotel Buddha Park Residency around 4:30PM. After keeping our luggages in our hotel room we went to the park (Entry Fee required but not for people staying in Buddha Park Residency)

Day6:

Early morning we woke up and again roamed around the Buddha Park, clicking photos and videos. Finally we had our breakfast, taking a last look at the scenic surroundings before checking out.

After completing the formalities, we headed towards NJP station which was a travel of about 130Km and took 4-5hrs depending on the traffic (we went at the time just after the cloud burst happened, so there was a huge traffic), enjoying the serene landscapes one last time as we make our way to the station.

On the way to the station we visited the Temi tea garden (Entry Fee required) which was 24km away from the Buddha Park residency which took us some 40mins to reach. Finally we reached NJP station by 6PM and had some food at the station (you will find many hotels there) and then boarded our train (Darjeeling Mail at 7:45PM)

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List of Time Taken and Distance For My Trip

Below is the list of time taken along with the distance for my whole trip so that it can help you manage your timings for your trip accordingly.

Note:
The distances and travel times are approximate and may vary depending on road conditions and traffic.
Always verify the travel routes with local drivers or guides for the most accurate information.