easy
Pelling
Sikkim · West Sikkim · 2,150m🚗 SUV recommended — winding mountain roads from Geyzing
👨👩👧 Family: low — small town, manageable altitude
4/5
April
Why 4/5? Best spring 12-22°C. Warm clear days. Kanchenjunga panorama at dawn. All monasteries and falls accessible.
Front-row seats to Kanchenjunga — a tiny ridge town with the 17th-century Pemayangtse monastery and the new Chenrezig statue that dwarfs everything.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2-3 days
Budget
budget
Kids Rating
3/5 ✓
✓ Off-the-beaten-path seekers✓ First-time travelers
Data verified: April 2026 · Scores based on weather, road access, crowd levels, infrastructure, safety conditions · Kids ratings factor in: medical access, ATM availability, phone signal, altitude, road safety
📶
Network
Jio, BSNL
Jio and BSNL work in town. No Airtel/Vi. Signal drops at Khecheopalri and beyond
🏥
Medical
Geyzing District Hospital — 8km, basic. Gangtok STNM — 130km for serious cases
🚗
Road
Mixed — good stretches but landslide-prone sections. Last 20km narrow
🛡️
Safety
3/5
Why Special
Pelling is a small town perched on a ridge with arguably the best views of Kanchenjunga in all of Sikkim. Pemayangtse Monastery (1705) is one of Sikkim's oldest. The new 137-foot Chenrezig statue dominates the skyline. Rabdentse Ruins are the former capital of Sikkim. The Kanchenjunga waterfall and Khecheopalri 'wish-fulfilling' lake are nearby. Far less crowded than Gangtok, Pelling feels like discovering Sikkim before tourism arrived.
mountain-viewsmonasteryoffbeatKanchenjungapeaceful
Festivals & Events
Saga Dawa
JunMay–June (full moon)
Buddhist faithful from the region gather at Pemayangtse Monastery for prayers, butter lamp offerings, and circumambulation on this sacred day.
religious
Pang Lhabsol
AugAugust (15th day of 7th Tibetan month)
Celebrated at Pemayangtse Monastery near Pelling with sacred warrior dances honouring Mount Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of Sikkim.
religious
Infrastructure Reality
📶
Network Coverage
JioBSNL
Jio and BSNL work in town. No Airtel/Vi. Signal drops at Khecheopalri and beyond
WiFi: Some hotels have WiFi but unreliable
🏥
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: Geyzing District Hospital — 8km, basic. Gangtok STNM — 130km for serious cases
Ambulance: 108 — may take 30-60min
Police: Pelling Outpost — small. Geyzing PS — 8km
🚗
Getting There
Bagdogra Airport — 155km, 5hr. Gangtok — 130km, 4.5hr
Roads: Mixed — good stretches but landslide-prone sections. Last 20km narrow
Public transport: Shared jeeps from Gangtok and Geyzing. No direct bus from Siliguri
⛽
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Pelling — 0km (limited hours)
Fill up in Gangtok or Jorethang before heading to Pelling
Budget stay: ₹500-1200/night — basic lodges and homestays
Mid-range: ₹1500-4000/night — Elgin Mount Pandim, Hotel Garuda
Helpline: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance)
Where to Stay
Best for Families
Hotels on Upper Pelling — Kanchenjunga view rooms
Best for Backpackers
Homestays in Lower Pelling
Best for Peace & Quiet
All of Pelling is quiet
Avoid
Monsoon Jul-Aug — roads can be treacherous
Off-season: ₹400-1500/nightPeak: ₹600-3000/night
hotelhomestayresort
Daily Budget Reality
🎒
Budget
₹1,050Stay₹500
Food₹250
Transport₹200
Activities₹100
per person per day
🏨
Mid-range
₹3,350Stay₹2,000
Food₹600
Transport₹500
Activities₹250
per person per day
✨
Luxury
₹7,200Stay₹5,000
Food₹1,000
Transport₹800
Activities₹400
per person per day
💡 More affordable than Gangtok. Limited luxury options. Homestays are excellent value.
Crowd Intelligence
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Quiet Moderate Peak
Best days: Any day
Small town, never truly crowded. Kanchenjunga views best Oct-Nov mornings.
Food & Dining
🥬
Vegetarian
moderate
👨👩👧
Family Dining
hotel restaurants are the main option
Cuisine: Sikkimese, Nepali, North Indian
Limited standalone restaurants. Hotel food is decent. Try local Sikkimese dishes. Smaller food scene than Gangtok.
How to Reach
Airport
Bagdogra — 151km
Rail
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) — 170km
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