Pelling is a placid travel destination in the Northeast state of Sikkim in India. It is situated at an altitude of 2085 mtrs from sea level and at a distance of 10 km from the district headquarters of Geyzing. Covered by moist temperate forests decorated with moss and lichens, Pelling attracts most of the visitors for its glorious history, nature and culture of the state. It is an ideal getaway for tourists as its vicinity has numerous waterfalls and soft trek routes. The languages spoken in Pelling are Hindi, English, Nepali & Sikkimese.
Best For:
Pelling being a small but an active tourist attraction consists of a helipad, numerous hotels & strips of highly unimaginative concrete blocks at quite a few places. Also offered are waterfalls, soft trek routes and hotel terraces from where one can gaze at the world's third highest peak, the Kanchenjunga, the nearby villages & its serene surroundings.
Pelling gives spectacular views of the Mount Kanchenjunga, the Guardian Deity of Sikkim and the worlds third highest mountain along with other sister mountains bowing before the Godly figure in reverence. Some of the good trekking expeditions are the Kanchenjunga trek & the Monastic trek. Tourists need a special permit before venturing out for trekking.
The best time to travel here is mid- February to May & mid -September to December. The best mountain views can be seen during mid-September to mid-December. Visiting Pelling any time during the year, except in the monsoon months (mid June-August) would be an enjoyable experience. The temperature is very low in winter but the climate is pleasant in summer. Light woolen clothing in summers & heavy woolen clothing in winters is suggested. An umbrella or a raincoat is always useful to carry in this part of the country.
Foreigners visiting Pelling must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required by Indians for either traveling or trekking inside Pelling. However, foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim (available at Siliguri).
Foreign nationals travelling to some parts of Sikkim, need a special permit (Inner Line Permit) which can be obtained either by their embassy when applying for the Indian Visa or locally at the Sikkim tourism offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, Siliguri and Rangpo. The permit can be issued on spot, provided copies of passport and visa and two passport photos are taken. The initially permitted period of stay is 15 days, which can be extended thrice by 15 days each to a total maximum period of 60 days. Extensions can be obtained from the FRO (Foreigners Registration Office) at Gangtok or by the Superintendent of police of North, West and South District.
For trekking in the interior region of the state, the Department of Tourism in Gangtok can issue Protected Area Permits (PAP) which allows only groups of minimum two foreigners. Condition is, to book the trek with an organized travel agency. The Sikkimese Government authorities are extremely friendly and helpful and getting the Inner Line permit is not a hindrance at all. Things get done fast and efficiently. While booking with a travel agency, one can request them to obtain the permit.
Pelling is about 150 km away from Siliguri and 120 km from Gangtok. It is well connected by bus and jeep services. Pelling pulls most of the visitors for its representative status in history, nature and culture. The sites of Koktang, Kumbhakarna, Rathong, Kabru, Dom, Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Zopuno, Shimbho, Narsing, Siniyalchu and others can also be covered along the route.
By Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra approximately 146 kms (about 6 hours drive) from Pelling, Indian Airlines and other private airlines link Bagdogra with the rest of India. Buses and taxis are available from here to proceed towards Pelling.
By Road :Pelling is connected with an all weather road to Siliguri, Kalimpong and Gangtok . It is on the state highway connecting Gangtok and Yoksum and rests at the foot of snow capped Mt. Kanchenjunga . It is 150 kms (journey of around 6 Hrs.) from Siliguri. On the way to Pelling, one can view breathtaking views of the beautiful Singalila range. Pelling is 120 kms away from Gangtok(4.5 hrs). Buses and taxis are available from both these places.
By Rail:The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri approximately 147 kms from Pelling. Trains generally come into either New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri. From there, visitors may proceed to Pelling on the "Toy-Train" (journey time 6.5 to 7 hrs). The bus, private/public taxis or Limo-Vans services take around 3.5 to 4hrs to reach Pelling.
Local Transport: Tourist cars, mini coaches and taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Pelling and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra. Also available for sightseeing are taxis, coaches etc at fixed rates and can be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Government of West Bengal, Pelling. Shared jeeps travel regularly to Gangtok and Siliguri
Pemayangtse Monastery: Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. This is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Sikkim. Founded in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect. Pemayantse monastery is special because it is meant only for ‘ta-sang’ lamas (pure monks). The three-storied building of the monastery houses a good collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor of the monastery, there is a seven-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha and bodhisattva. In January/February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.
Sangachoeling Monastery is a 45 minute walk from Pelling. This is the second oldest monastery of Sikkim. This monastery is located on a ridge above Pelling and the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. To reach here one has to walk on steep hilly slope which leads through rich forest area.
Sangay Waterfall is 10 km from Pelling and a refreshing waterfall to visit
Khecheopalri Lake is considered as one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim by the Hindus and Buddhists. The lake remains hidden in the forests. It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the lake surface.
Nearby Places:
Some of the nearby places are Rabdentse Ruins ,Tashiding Monastery and Yuksom. All these places have an interesting history and are worth a visit when travelling to Pelling,Sikkim.
Where To Eat:
There are a lot of good eating places around Pelling offers a range of cuisines like North-Indian, Chinese and Sikkimese cuisine. Tourists can find good eateries with ease. Many resorts in Pelling offer good Continental & other varieties of Indian food too.
Where To Stay:
Tourists can either pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Siliguri or choose from a few good hotels in Pelling. Various hotel packages offer the best of facilities. Well-furnished rooms make your stay comfortable. Norbu Ghang Resort, Hotel Phamrong, Newa Regency and Green Valley are some of the recommended places to stay in Pelling.
Pelling is best enjoyed when included in a combined tour of the North-East or Sikkim.
