Location: 119 km from Gangtok, 133km from Siliguri.
Pelling is perched at 7,200ft and gives a magnificent view of the Kanchenjunga Range. There are also excellent trials
through natural forest leading to the surrounding historical site and monasteries. Named after he guardian deity of
Sikkim, “Kanchenjunga Festival” held annually at Pelling in December offers a host of activities – trekking, mountain
biking, traditional sports and bird watching. The festivals also features flower exhibitions, traditional crafts,
ethnic food stalls and culture programmes.
It is the second palace and the second capital of Sikkim after Yuksum. Built during the time of TensungNamgyal, the
second Chogyal, Rabdentse Palace was sifted to Tumlong in North Sikkim following invasion and then to Gangtok.
What we can witness of the ruins today are the district stone structures surrounded by rubble fortifications. The main
settlement of the palace which lies on the highest portion of the spur is divided into sectors by a dividing wall. In
the middle to the north is the palace complex, the sector to the south was certainly the religious complex, meant for
the common people. The religious complex constitutes a throne and Chodten on a raised platform. The three Chodtens,
DhudTsen-Lu-Sum fronted by a stone paved open floor and attached to the double storey palace were for the religious
pursuits of the royal family. Since the palace is surrounded by a sacred grove now called SidkeongTulku Park, it is
recommended place for botanists and bird lovers. It is few minutes’ walk from the main road.
Khechopari Lake. It is one of the sacred Buddhist lake and it is believed that whatever is wished in front of the lake comes true. Myth is that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface, it is picked by a bird. Leaf Lamp Floating Festival with special prayers at dusk time is held here annually on the 15th and 16th day of the first Buddhist month (Feb - March).
On the way to Yuksom and Khecheopari Lake is Darap Village also called Darap Cherry Village inhabited by Limbootribe. The landscape of the area is moderately sloppy and gentle valley unlike other locations. Village youth have formed Darap Eco – Tourism Committee and developed the region as popular Homestay destination
Chagay Falls,(7 km from Pelling) which cascades down from a height of at least 500ft from Ranidhunga through Chagay Village and disappear into a dense forest of silver fir and pine. Kanchenjunga Waterfalls (25 km from Pelling) is higher and bigger and is near to the Khechopari Lake.
Kaluk is best known for the breath-taking view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and lush green slopes. Its solitude and pollution-free environment is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
With the span of 198 mtrs and 220 mtrs in depth, this is considered the second highest suspension bridge in Asia. The place has also been specified and declared as a special spot for bungee jumping. Before crossing the bridge is Dentam Village, famous for Alpine cheese factory, a product of Indo-Swiss collaboration.
Uttarey is small, yet magically beautiful with its pristine valleys, waterfalls and mountain around the settlement soaring to over 8,500mtrs. The village which is growing into a satellite township is a base camp of adventure tourism for the Singalila Range Tenzing-Hillary Ecotourism Trekking Trail towards Kanchenjunga. Since Uttarey is close to Nepal Border, men in uniform especially those belonging to Sikkim Armed Police overrun the place. Reaching Uttarey is fun with many interesting sites to see – Chagay Falls, which cascades down from a height of at least 500ft from Ranidhunga through Chagay Village and disappear into a dense forest of silver fir and pine. Singshore Bridge, the second highest bridge in Asia. A stone dropped from the bridge takes nearly 10 seconds to hit the riverbed.