- Where
- Khecheopalri village, Gyalshing district, West Sikkim
- Altitude
- About 1,700–1,800 m
- Distance
- About 25 km from Pelling, around 1 hour
- Timings
- Roughly 8am–5pm
- Entry fee
- Free to about ₹20 per person (reports vary)
- Permit
- None for Indian travellers
- Best time
- October–May
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
Khecheopalri is a small, still lake in a forested bowl near Pelling, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus and known as the wishing lake. Its original name, Kha-Chot-Palri, means "heaven of Padmasambhava", and locals call it Sho Dzo Sho: "Oh lady, sit here."
Why the lake is sacred
- A footprint of Tara. The lake's shape is said to be the footprint of the goddess Tara (Jetsun Dolma).
- Part of a sacred body. Sikkimese tradition maps the landscape onto the human body: Yuksom is the third eye, Tashiding the head, Pemayangtse the heart and Khecheopalri the chest.
- Padmasambhava is said to have preached to 64 yoginis here.
- Shiva's cave. Hindus believe Shiva meditated in the Dupukney cave above the lake, and worship at the lake on Nag Panchami.
- Birds keep it clean. The best-known story: leaves are never left floating, because birds pick them off the surface as soon as they fall.
What to see
- The jetty, lined with prayer flags and prayer wheels, at the end of a short forest walk from the car park.
- The forest, good for birds in the early morning.
- Khecheopalri village and monastery on the hill above the lake.
- The sacred circuit: the lake is one stop on West Sikkim's pilgrimage route with Yuksom, Dubdi, Pemayangtse, the Rabdentse ruins, Sanga Choeling and Tashiding.
Etiquette
The lake is a place of worship. Don't touch the water or throw anything in it, keep voices low, walk clockwise past the prayer wheels, and feed fish only with what the stalls sell, if at all.
How to reach Khecheopalri
The lake is about 25 km from Pelling by road, around an hour. It pairs well with Pemayangtse and the Rabdentse ruins, or with Yuksom on the way north. See things to do in Pelling and our Gangtok to Pelling cab page.
| From | Road distance | Usual drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Pelling | about 25 km | about 1 hr |
| Gangtok | about 145 km | 5–6 hrs |
| NJP station | about 150 km | 5–6 hrs |
Road distances from OpenStreetMap routing. Drive times are what we see on these mountain roads, not map estimates.
Weather and best time
At about 1,800 m, the lake is cool and very wet in the monsoon. October to May is best.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11°C | 1°C | Light |
| Feb | 13°C | 3°C | Wet |
| Mar | 16°C | 6°C | Wet |
| Apr | 19°C | 9°C | Wet |
| May | 20°C | 11°C | Wet |
| Jun | 22°C | 15°C | Very wet |
| Jul | 21°C | 16°C | Very wet |
| Aug | 22°C | 16°C | Very wet |
| Sep | 21°C | 15°C | Very wet |
| Oct | 19°C | 10°C | Wet |
| Nov | 16°C | 6°C | Light |
| Dec | 13°C | 3°C | Light |
Monthly averages for 2015–2024 from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, at the site's elevation (about 1790 m). Rain and snow are rated relative to this location's own year.
Things most guides don't tell you
- Stay the night. Homestays in Khecheopalri village give you the lake at dawn, before the day visitors.
- Combine it with Kanchenjunga Falls and Yuksom for a full West Sikkim day.
- It's quieter than Pelling's other sights. Go early or late for silence at the jetty.
A West Sikkim day plan
- 7am: leave Pelling for Khecheopalri, for the quiet jetty in the morning.
- 9am: Kanchenjunga Falls on the road to Yuksom.
- 10:30am: Yuksom, Sikkim's first capital, with the coronation throne at Norbugang and Dubdi Monastery.
- 3pm: back to Pelling via the Rabdentse ruins and Pemayangtse Monastery.
Who it suits
The forest path to the jetty is short and mostly level, so it suits families and older travellers. The lake is a place of prayer, so it's best for quiet visitors.
What to carry
A light rain jacket in any season, a little cash for the entry fee and offerings, and binoculars if you like birds: the forest round the lake is rich in them.
Nearby
Khecheopalri Lake: questions travellers ask
What is the entry fee for Khecheopalri Lake?
Reports range from free to about ₹20 per person. Carry small change.
Why is Khecheopalri called the wishing lake?
Buddhists and Hindus believe prayers made at the lake are answered. It is also said to be the footprint of the goddess Tara.
Why are there no leaves on Khecheopalri Lake?
Local belief holds that birds pick up any leaf that falls on the water. The lake is kept very clean.
How far is Khecheopalri Lake from Pelling?
About 25 km by road, roughly an hour.
How far is Khecheopalri Lake from Gangtok?
About 145 km, 5 to 6 hours by road.
What are Khecheopalri Lake's timings?
Roughly 8am to 5pm.
Can we swim or boat in Khecheopalri Lake?
No. It is a sacred lake, and touching the water is discouraged.
What does Khecheopalri mean?
It comes from Kha-Chot-Palri, the heaven of Padmasambhava. Khecheo is also read as flying yoginis and palri as palace.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Khecheopalri Lake
- Gyalshing district administration: attractions
- TravelTriangle: Khecheopalri Lake 2026 guide
Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
