Pelling: Where Nature embraces you with open arms

The highest peak in the world, the Kanchenjunga range is completely visible from Pelling. Pelling is a small cloud-capped hilly village situated in West Sikkim. Pelling tourism has gained immense popularity among tourists all over the world, since the last few years. Pelling is well connected by roadways with Siliguri, Bagdogra airport, New Jalpaiguri Railway station and with Gangtok. Here hills change their color according to the climate. During winter, cloud capped hills, snowcapped roads welcome you, and bring you to the highest peak visible from Pelling Helipad Ground, from where you can find a heavenly view of the seven different peaks of Kanchenjunga range. This undisturbed and pristine hilly village is the only place where you can see bunches of rhododendrons, rare variety of birds, butterflies, waterfalls, Buddhist monasteries and the famous wishing lake.

Why visit Pelling?

Pelling is the second largest touring place in Sikkim after Gangtok and the main attraction of this place is the chain of mountain, clear view of Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan range. Also the famous Pemayangtse monastery is situated in this place and here you can also indulge in some adventures like mountain biking, rock climbing and trekking. In addition, you can explore some small meditational spots and discover more about their meditational technique, educational system and you can taste their famous village-made wine chhang. Hot brewing coffee, sitting in a hanging cafeteria, viewing the blend of Himalaya and Kanchenjunga, and getting welcomed by the religious scripts and bells from the monastery, can anything be better than this overwhelming atmosphere for you?

Pelling: where nature embraces you with open arms

Pelling is situated above 6800ft and during winter, you can find dense layers of snow accumulated inside the dense forest all around hilly slopes. You can also enjoy some jungle safari without any prior arrangement. The village residents will help you to explore their rich traditional culture. This is a famous place, which has religious influences of the Tibetan saint Dalai Lama, and here you can also take a casual stroll around the Pemayangtse and Sangacholing monasteries.

There are some hanging cafeterias situated around the hilltop, and here you can taste some homemade wines and beverages. Along with that, multi cuisine restaurants are there where you can find famous Indian food dishes like, Chicken Kabab, Motton Korma, Thukpa, Chowmin and noodles, different styles of Parathas and other regular Indian and Chinese dishes.

You can take a day tour from Pelling as there are many popular tourism places to visit in Pelling such as, Rimbi waterfalls, Singshore Bridge, Rabdengtse Ruins, Sewaro rock garden, Kanchenjunga and Khecheopalri Lake. Along with that, small villages and local markets are also considered as some of the best tourist attractions in Pelling.

Best Time to Visit Pelling:

The best time to visit Pelling is summer season, which is March to May because you can enjoy a pleasant temperature of around 12 to 15 degree Celsius during this month. Apart from that, the Kanchenjunga peaks and Himalayan Mountains can be clearly visible in this time. It is suggested to avoid visiting Pelling during Monsoon because it will take a long time to reach there by road because of bad road conditions.

Things to do in Pelling:

You can shop for some traditional Sikkimese products like handmade carpets, wine, handmade papers, and wall hanging thankas. Along with that, you can visit some lovely places, interact with the village people, trek to the mountains, do some rock climbing and you can also try some adventurous sports like mountain biking. It is suggested to avail some tailor-made holiday packages to visit Sikkim and Pelling because with these packages, you can explore more places, and you do not need to arrange anything from your end.

Complete Pelling travel guide:

• How to Reach Pelling: you can reach Pelling by road or air. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport and you can also reach Pelling through train via New Jalpaiguri Station. You need to hire a car from the airport or from the railway station, and it will take six hours to reach Pelling from these destinations. If you wish to travel by government bus, then you have to take a bus to Jorethang, and then you can take a car from this place to reach Pelling directly.

• Places to visit in Pelling: there are lots of sightseeing placessituated in Pelling such as Rimbi waterfalls, Singshore Bridge, Rabdengtse Ruins, Sewaro rock garden, Kanchenjunga and Khecheopalri Lake.

Accommodation in Pelling

The region Pelling is divided into three different parts like upper Pelling, middle Pelling and Lower Pelling. There are numerous hotels in Pelling available, but due to heavy tourist rush, it is suggested to choose the best hotel deal before two to three months of your schedule. Most of the holidays and tour packages can provide you accommodation facility along with sightseeing, transportation and meals. If you like to stay on hilltop then you can choose some hotels at upper Pelling. You can see the Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan range from your hotel balcony and you can also find the best tourist places nearby from your hotels. On the other part, if you book the hotels in lower Pelling then you can reach out for some trekking places and rock garden nearby.

Pelling is a complete peaceful heaven on earth where you can find all-natural elements such as rare species of birds, bears, butterfly, and you can also find some of the tallest mountain-peaks like the seven peaks of the Kanchenjunga range. Most hotels in Pelling offer you private cab booking facility, and they also have bar, BBQ, private garden, balcony cafeteria, own restaurants, room heater, all time hot water facility and on call doctor services.

Best Time to Visit Pelling

Those who want to explore Pelling and the surrounding places can schedule their tour during summer season. From March to May, Pelling flourishes with lots of tourist and this is the best time to visit Pelling. Apart from the hills and the valleys covered by fresh vegetables, you can also find the mesmerizing beauty of rhododendrons, colorful butterfly, rate birds and the snowcapped Himalayan and Kanchenjunga range during this time. The temperature remains between 7 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius during summer and you can feel the most comfortable atmosphere in Pelling. Also those who want to trek or do some adventure sports such as rock climbing and mountain biking, can find a clear Mountain View of Pelling.

Best Seasons to visit Pelling:

Summer – March to May – temperature 12 degree C to 28 degree C.

Monsoon – July to September – temperature 4 degree C to 15 degree C.

Winter – December to February – temperature -5 degree C to 14 degree C.

It is suggested to avoid visiting Pelling during the monsoons because the temperature is quite high and the roads remain slippery and broken. Winters are cold, with a frozen view of the mountains.

How to Reach Pelling?

Pelling is a part of West Sikkim and you can reach Pelling by air, train, car and bus. The nearest airport is Bagdogra which is situated 160 km away from Pelling. This airport is well connected with all major cities. You need to book a private cab to reach Pelling directly from the airport. Else you can also avail share taxi from Siliguri (nearest to the airport) to reach Pelling.

If you wish to travel by train, then you can book some trains to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) which is 152 km away from Pelling. Numerous trains are available between NJP to Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai. Then you can book a cab, or you can take some share taxi from Siliguri which is only 6 Km away from the railway station.

Pelling is well connected with the main capital city Gangtok. You can also travel to Pelling via Gangtok. Else you can reach Pelling via Siliguri and Darjeeling road. State transport authority of Sikkim operates some bus service from Siliguri and Gangtok to Pelling. But for safety reasons, it is suggested to take some SUV car to Pelling. If you wish to book some tour package for Pelling then you can include transportation, cab service, accommodation, meals and sightseeing in the package.