Damsang Fort, seat of the last Lepcha king
Damsang Fort, often called Damsang Gadi, stands on a forested ridge between Pedong and Algarah. Only sections of rough stone walls survive among the trees, but the site is important to Lepchas as the seat of Gaeboo Achyuk, who ruled in the late seventeenth century and was later executed by the Bhutanese.
A local guide brings the place to life with stories of the king, the stones carried up from the river and the tunnels said to run beneath. On 20 December each year Lepchas gather here to mark his birthday.
The approach is a rough road and a short walk; wear sturdy shoes.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How old is Damsang Fort?
Local tradition dates the fort to around 1690, built by the Lepcha king Gaeboo Achyuk to resist the Bhutanese. Historians link Achyuk to wars in the 1670s, so the fort belongs to the late seventeenth century. Only ruins remain, but the site is still central to Lepcha history and identity.
Is there an entry fee at Damsang Fort?
There is usually no formal ticket. You pay for the jeep and, if you want one, a local guide. Treat the site with respect: do not climb on fragile walls or remove stones, and do not leave litter. Arrangements can change, so ask your homestay host before you go.
Can I combine Damsang Fort with Pedong?
Yes, they make a good half-day together. Visit the Sangchen Dorjee monastery and Pedong bazaar, then drive towards Algarah for the fort. A jeep tour from Sillery Gaon costs about ₹1,200–2,000, indicative. Add Icche Gaon, a nearby homestay village with its own mountain view, if you have time.
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