6 Places to Visit in Pelling (2026): Tourist Spots, Timings & Entry Fees
Pelling, at about 2,100 m in West Sikkim, has some of the closest views of Kanchenjunga you can get by road. Next to town are the glass skywalk with its giant Chenrezig statue, Pemayangtse Monastery and the ruins of Rabdentse, Sikkim's second capital. A day out along the Yuksom road takes in the sacred Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Dubdi, Sikkim's oldest monastery.
1.Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue
Sangachoeling ridge, above Pelling
Pelling's glass skywalk leads to a 137-ft statue of Chenrezig on the ridge above town, with Kanchenjunga behind it. Here are the timings, fee, best light and what else is on the ridge.
- Timings
- Roughly 9am–5pm or 6pm (reports vary)
- Entry fee
- About ₹20 for Indians, ₹50 for foreigners (reported; some sources give ₹50–100)
- Distance
- About 2 km from Pelling
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–April for mountain views
Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue: full guide, how to reach and tips →
2.Pemayangtse Monastery
Near Pelling, Gyalshing district
Pemayangtse, the 'perfect sublime lotus', is one of Sikkim's oldest and most important monasteries, founded in the 17th century near Pelling. Its seven-tier wooden model of Guru Rinpoche's paradise is the reason to go.
- Timings
- Roughly 8am–4pm or 5pm (reports vary)
- Entry fee
- Small fee reported (about ₹20); some sources say free
- Distance
- About 2 km from Pelling; 110–115 km from Gangtok
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Best time
- October–May; Cham dances in February/March
3.Rabdentse Ruins
Near Pelling, Gyalshing district
Rabdentse was the second capital of the kingdom of Sikkim, from 1670 until Gorkha invaders destroyed it in 1814. Its ruined palace walls and chortens stand in forest near Pelling, with views of Kanchenjunga.
- Timings
- About 8am–5pm
- Entry fee
- Free or a small fee; reports differ
- Distance
- About 3 km from Pelling
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–May
4.Khecheopalri Lake
West Sikkim, about 25 km from Pelling
Khecheopalri is a still forest lake near Pelling, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus and known as the wishing lake. A short walk from the road leads to the prayer-flag jetty.
- Timings
- Roughly 8am–5pm
- Entry fee
- Free to about ₹20 per person (reports vary)
- Distance
- About 25 km from Pelling, around 1 hour
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–May
5.Kanchenjunga Falls
Pelling–Yuksom road, West Sikkim
Kanchenjunga Falls is a 100 ft waterfall right by the Pelling–Yuksom road, about 24 km from Pelling, fed by Kanchenjunga's snowmelt and flowing all year. It's the easiest big waterfall stop in West Sikkim.
- Timings
- Daylight
- Entry fee
- About ₹20 reported; some guides say free
- Distance
- About 24 km from Pelling; 10 km from Yuksom
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Best time
- July–October for full flow; October–April for dry roads
6.Dubdi Monastery
Above Yuksom, Gyalshing district
Dubdi Monastery, on a forested hill above Yuksom, is traditionally called Sikkim's oldest monastery, founded around 1701. A steep stone path climbs to it from the village where Sikkim's first king was crowned.
- Timings
- About 7am–4pm reported
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- About 3 km from Yuksom; 38 km from Pelling
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the walk
- Best time
- October–May
Best time to visit Pelling
October to December gives the clearest Kanchenjunga views; March to May is pleasant, with rhododendrons in bloom. June to September brings rain, cloud and occasional landslides on the roads into West Sikkim.
How to reach Pelling
Pelling is about 130–140 km from Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri (NJP), 5–6 hours by road, and about 110–115 km from Gangtok. No permit is needed for Pelling itself.
See Pelling with a local team
Private trips with a driver, hotels and permits arranged, built around the places above.
Sikkim and Pelling tour packages →Pelling: frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Pelling?+
Two days: one for the skywalk, Pemayangtse and Rabdentse, and one for Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Yuksom.
Can I see Kanchenjunga from Pelling?+
Yes, on clear mornings, which are most likely from October to December. Early morning is best before cloud builds up.
Do I need a permit for Pelling?+
Indian travellers don't. Foreign nationals need the Restricted Area Permit that covers entry into Sikkim.
How far is Pelling from Gangtok?+
About 110–115 km, 4–5 hours by road. Many trips go Gangtok to Pelling via Ravangla.
More places to visit in Northeast India
- Places to visit in Darjeeling
- Places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Sikkim
- Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Places to visit in Gangtok
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- Places to visit in Shillong
- Places to visit in Cherrapunji
- Places to visit in Tawang
- Places to visit in Guwahati
- Places to visit near Guwahati
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- Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Gangtok and Darjeeling
- Places to visit in North Sikkim
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