11 Fantastic Things To Do In Pelling For A Taste Of The True Sikkimese Heritage

Pelling is a quaint hill station snuggly nestled in the hills of West Sikkim. It is a popular destination thanks to its natural scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. From exploring natural wonders like lakes and waterfalls, engaging in shopping, to unveiling the secrets of historical ruins, there are tonnes of things to do in Pelling. Whether you are looking for relaxation or ticking things off your bucket list, Pelling has numerous experiences for every traveler.

Exciting Things To Do In Pelling

Most of these awesome experiences in Pelling are free, meaning that your Pelling Sightseeing costs are low and you have more to spend on things like shopping!

1. Find peace at the Pemayangtse Monastery

A visit to the Pemayangtse Monastery is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Pelling. The peaceful sanctum is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries dating back to the 17th century. Constructed in the traditional Buddhist architecture, this place has a great collection of Buddhist art and sculpture including the model of Guru Rinpoche. Here you can watch monks pray with traditional instruments and chant soothing hymns!
Location: Pelling-Gyalshing Road, Geysing, Sikkim

Must Read:20 Bewitching Places To Visit In Pelling And Its Vicinity

Sikkim-Gangtok-Darjeeling Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

Visit Sikkim and explore Yumthang valley, Tsomgo Lake, Gangtok, Nathula Pass, and Pelling. Experience peace and tranquility while exploring Buddhist monasteries, snow-capped mountains, and wildlife sanctuaries. Book packages inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing, and meals.

2. Experience Sikkimese Hospitality at Darap Cherny Village

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A mere 8 km from Pelling is the picturesque Darap Village. It offers tourists a peek into the Sikkimese culture and the life of the Limboo community who lives in here. A visit to this village is among the best things to do in Pelling in Sikkim! Village walks, authentic cuisine tours, nature exploration, birdwatching, hiking, staying in traditional homestays – do all these and more to truly experience the village life here.
Location: Pelling-Rimbi Road
How to get there: Easily accessible by taxis and buses from anywhere in Sikkim

3. Frolic in the waters of Kanchenjunga Waterfalls

On the route to Yuksom, you will come across the thundering of the Kanchenjunga waterfall. The falls are often a popular stop in most of the Pelling tours because of their sheer beauty. The thick woody surroundings and the milky waters will make for great backdrops for your pictures! It is a perennial fall although the volume increases during monsoons. Visiting these are definitely among the best things to do in Pelling.
Location: Enroute Pelling-Rimbi Road
Entry fee: INR 20/-
Best time to visit: October – February

Suggested Read:28 Top Things To Do In Sikkim For Unbeatable Adventures In Breathtaking Landscapes

Book Amazing Pelling Tour Packages 

4. Wish for luck at Khecheopalri Lake

If you have a day or two and wondering what to do in Pelling, then think no further than the serene waters of Khecheopalri Lake! The scenic lake holds religious significance to both Buddhists and Hindus and is known to be a wish fulfilling lake. One of its interesting myths is that birds dont allow any leaves to fall on the lake. It’s also a great spot for bird watching and photography.
Location: Enroute Pelling-Rimbi Road
Entry fee: INR 30/-

5. Savour authentic Sikkim food at Pelling

Exploring local cuisine is a must on your checklist of things to do in Pelling. The local cuisine of Sikkim is influenced by Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. You can find many unique dishes like Thukpa, Thenthuk, Momo, Churpi, Sel Roti, Kinema, and Gundruk. There are many restaurants in Pelling where you can taste Sikkims delicious delicacies and try local spirits like Chang and Rhododendron wine!
Best restaurants in Pelling: Melting Point Restaurant, Hotel Dubdi, Lotus Bakery
Avg cost of meals in Pelling: INR 250/- per person

Suggested Read:10 Monasteries In Sikkim Exhibiting The Best Of India’s Cultural Heritage

6. Walk down history at the Rabdentse Ruins

You cannot miss the Rabdentse Ruins on your Pelling tour! The palace, now in ruins, was the capital of the Sikkimese Kings till the 1814 AD. Spread across the hilltop, the palace is surrounded by chestnut groves and thick deciduous forests. A short walk to the top will bring you to the iconic Namphogang, the ancient stones where the king sat in the olden days. A visit to these ruins will also give you panoramic views of the valley and the mighty Kanchenjunga range.
Location: Geyzing, Pelling

7. Trek to the Kanchenjunga National Park

Trekking and hiking are one of the most popular Pelling activities. The best place to trek in the Pelling region is the Kanchenjunga National Park. Covering an area of 849 km sq, the park is home to animals like musk deer, sloth bear, civets, red panda, Himalayan Black Bear, and Himalayan Tahr. For hiking here, youd need a permit from the Wildlife Education and Interpretation Centre at Yuksom.
Location: North Sikkim
Entry fee: INR 350/- per person

Suggested Read:A-Z Guide To Make Your Honeymoon In Sikkim An Affair To Remember

8. Go shopping for local crafts & foods

Sikkim has a variety of handicrafts and local produce that is unique to the place. Pelling has many bazaars and & shops where you can pick up handmade gifts and souvenirs. Buddhist flags, woven bamboo articles, colourful woolen scarves, Tibetan ornaments, and carpets can be included in your Pelling shopping list. You can also buy local spices and produce like black cardamom, tea, walnuts, and oranges!

Shopping places in Pelling: Rinchenpong Bazaar, Bermiok Bazaar, Rural Artisan Marketing Centre

9. Go for a picnic at the Sewaro Rock Garden

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The Sewaro Rock Garden is a beautiful natural spot maintained by the Sikkim Tourism department. Located on the riverbank, the garden is surrounded by lush greenery, mountains, and gushing water making it a perfect picnic spot. There are also many orange trees and orange farms in the vicinity that you can visit. Make sure you stop here for a nice lunch before moving on to other things to do in Pelling.
Entry fee: INR 10/- per person

Suggested Read:10 Best Resorts In Sikkim You’ll Never Want To Leave

10. Admire human ingenuity at Singshore Bridge

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This suspension bridge is an engineering marvel and is Sikkims highest bridge apart from being among the highest in Asia. Connecting two gorges, it is over 100m tall and more than 240m long. Not only is it a unique experience to walk on the bridge but it looks stunning from afar as well.

11. Pelling Skywalk – Walk On The Glass Path

Pelling Skywalk is the first glass skywalk in India. This stunning long-bridge structure takes you to the giant Chenrezig statue. ‘Chenrezig’ is the depiction of Lord Buddha’s compassion. The statue is perched on a hilltop near Pelling city. The path (bridge floor) is made of transparent glass which makes the walk really exciting. Enjoy the splendid views of the lush green valley from the skywalk.

Further Read: Sikkim In December: Find Exciting Experiences In The Winter Wonderland Of North-East

With such an amazing list of things to do in Pelling, no wonder it’s one of the top places to visit in Sikkim. Now all you have to do is book your trip to Sikkim with TravelTriangle and look forward to a wonderful vacation filled with memories and smiles! And if we have missed out on any of the awesome things to do here, then let us know in the comments below.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Pelling

Kanika Saxena

Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.