West and South Sikkim
West and South Sikkim cover the old West and South districts (now Gyalshing, Soreng and Namchi districts): Pelling, Yuksom, Rinchenpong, Ravangla and Namchi. Go for the closest town views of Kangchenjunga, the monasteries and ruins where the Sikkimese kingdom began, and the Goecha La trek. October to May is the time to go, with October, November, March and April best.
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West and South Sikkim, in brief
On this site West Sikkim means the whole western and southern half of the state. That is the old West Sikkim and South Sikkim districts, which since 2021 have become Gyalshing, Soreng and Namchi districts. The area runs from the Rangeet river near Jorethang up to the glaciers of Kangchenjunga, and its towns sit on ridges between 1,300 m and 2,200 m facing the highest part of the range.
It is where the Sikkimese kingdom began. Three lamas crowned the first Chogyal at Yuksom in 1642, the court moved to Rabdentse near Pelling in 1670, and the great monasteries of Pemayangtse, Sangachoeling, Dubdi and Tashiding were founded within a few decades. The sacred lakes of Khecheopalri and Kathok are part of the same landscape.
The south is greener, lower and more recent in its fame. Namchi and Ravangla now hold some of the largest statues in the Himalaya, Samdruptse's Guru Rinpoche and Ravangla's Buddha, along with Char Dham, while Temi Tea Garden covers the slopes towards the Teesta.
Indians need no permits anywhere in the region except for treks inside Khangchendzonga National Park. Distances are short, roads are mostly good, and the region pairs easily with Gangtok or Darjeeling.
Why go
Reasons to go, plainly
Some of the closest and widest town views of the world's third-highest mountain, best at sunrise from October to April.
The coronation throne at Yuksom and the ruined palace at Rabdentse tell the story of the Namgyal kings from 1642.
Pemayangtse, Sangachoeling, Dubdi, Tashiding and Rinchenpong are among the oldest Buddhist sites in Sikkim.
Guru Rinpoche at Samdruptse, the Buddha at Ravangla and Shiva at Char Dham draw pilgrims from across India.
Yuksom is the starting point for Dzongri and Goecha La, the best-known trek in Sikkim.
Orange orchards and cardamom groves around Rinchenpong, and Sikkim's only tea estate at Temi.
The map
Where to go in West and South Sikkim
Guru Rinpoche on the hilltop and Shiva on the next ridge
Kangchenjunga at breakfast, and the old capitals of Sikkim below
A tall Buddha above the clouds, and Sikkim's only tea estate below
A ridge-top village with a rare Buddha and a lake that was poisoned
Where Sikkim crowned its first king and the Goecha La trail begins
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Routes through West and South Sikkim
Budget tier prices per person, twin sharing. Every package also comes in Value and Comfort tiers, and every route can be changed.
Experiences
Hours worth planning around
Where we book
Stays in West and South Sikkim
A heritage hotel on the ridge just below Pemayangtse Monastery, a short drive from Upper Pelling. It is the quietest Comfort choice in West Sikkim, with …
A long-running resort in Upper Pelling with terraced cottages facing the Kangchenjunga range. It is our usual Value pick when families want space and a view …
Small family-run guesthouses and lodges line the lanes of Upper Pelling, many with rooftop views of Kangchenjunga. They are the cheapest way to stay in Pelling …
Family homestays in Yuksom, run mainly by Bhutia, Limbu and Nepali households, are the natural base before or after the Goecha La and Dzongri treks. Meals …
A working family farm below Rinchenpong, with rooms in an old farmhouse dating from the 1820s and a newer cottage. It is one of the best-known …
A small resort of wooden cottages in a garden outside Ravangla, one of the older tourist stays in South Sikkim. It is a good base for …
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What a day in West and South Sikkim costs
Budget
₹1,800–2,800
per person per day: guesthouse or homestay with meals, shared jeeps, entry fees and a share of one reserved car for sightseeing
Value
₹3,500–5,500
per person per day: good hotel twin sharing with breakfast and dinner, a private small car shared by two, entry fees
Comfort
₹7,000–12,000
per person per day: the best rooms on the route with meals, a private SUV, guides at key sites
Per person per day, twin sharing, for planning. Budget builder →
Month by month
West and South Sikkim through the year
West and South Sikkim by travel style
The calendar
Festivals worth the dates
Bumchu is a two-day festival at Tashiding Monastery, 19 km from Yuksom, when lamas open a sealed vase of sacred water and …
Pang Lhabsol honours Mount Kangchenjunga as Sikkim's guardian deity and remembers a blood-brotherhood pact between the Lepcha and Bhutia peoples. Ravangla holds …
Tendong Lho Rum Faat is the Lepcha festival of thanks to Tendong Hill, which in Lepcha tradition saved the people from a …
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. BeginGetting there
Arriving in West and South Sikkim
Bagdogra airport (IXB) and New Jalpaiguri station (NJP) near Siliguri are the gateways. From Siliguri the road follows the Teesta to Melli, where it splits: Namchi is about 100 km and 3.5–4 hours away, Ravangla about 120 km and 4.5–5 hours, Pelling about 135 km and 5–6 hours via Jorethang and Legship, Rinchenpong about 130 km and 5 hours, and Yuksom about 160 km and 6–7 hours. Shared jeeps leave Siliguri for Jorethang, Namchi, Gyalshing and Pelling each morning. From Gangtok, Ravangla is about 65 km and Pelling about 115–130 km. Darjeeling is about 75 km from Pelling via Jorethang. The NH10 along the Teesta is prone to landslides; check current status before you travel.
Permits
Paperwork to know
Indian citizens need no permit to visit Pelling, Yuksom, Ravangla, Namchi or Rinchenpong; carry photo ID for hotels. Foreign nationals need the Sikkim Inner Line Permit (ILP), issued free at the Melli and Rangpo checkposts, in Siliguri and online, with passport and visa. Treks into Khangchendzonga National Park, such as Dzongri and Goecha La from Yuksom, need park entry permits and a registered guide for everyone; foreigners must also go through a registered Sikkim agency, usually in a group of two or more. Rules and fees change. Check current status before you travel.
Guides
Read before West and South Sikkim
West Sikkim holds the oldest cluster of Buddhist sites in the state: Dubdi, Sangachoeling, Pemayangtse, Tashiding and the Rabdentse ruins, linked by Yuksom and …
The Goecha La trek runs from Yuksom (1,780 m) through Khangchendzonga National Park to viewpoints below the Goecha La pass (4,940 m) facing Kangchenjunga, …
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. BeginQuestions travellers ask
Questions about West and South Sikkim
What does West Sikkim cover on this site
We use West Sikkim for the western and southern half of the state: the old West and South Sikkim districts, now Gyalshing, Soreng and Namchi districts. That includes Pelling, Yuksom, Rinchenpong, Ravangla and Namchi, with Tashiding, Khecheopalri Lake, Temi Tea Garden, Samdruptse and Char Dham covered under the nearest town.
How many days do I need for West and South Sikkim
Allow four to seven days. Three nights covers Pelling and Yuksom; five nights adds Namchi, Ravangla and Rinchenpong at an easy pace; seven nights lets you combine the region with Gangtok or Darjeeling. Treks from Yuksom need extra days: four to five for Dzongri, eight to ten for Goecha La.
Which is the best base in West Sikkim
Pelling is the most practical base, with the most hotels, the best-known view of Kangchenjunga and day trips to Khecheopalri Lake, Yuksom and Rinchenpong. Namchi and Ravangla work better as bases for the south. Rinchenpong suits a quiet stay. Most visitors split their nights between two or three places.
Do Indians need any permit for West Sikkim
No. Indian citizens need no permit for any town or village in West and South Sikkim. Carry a government photo ID for hotels. A permit is needed only for treks inside Khangchendzonga National Park, such as Dzongri and Goecha La, arranged in Yuksom with a registered guide. Check current status before you travel.
When is the best time to visit West Sikkim
October to early December gives the clearest views and dry roads, with October the busiest month. February to April brings flowers and good mornings, and April is spring trekking season. January is cold and very clear. June to September is monsoon, with rain, landslides and few views, though prices are lowest.
How do I get to Pelling from Bagdogra or NJP
Pelling is about 135–145 km from NJP and Bagdogra, 5–6 hours by road via Melli, Jorethang and Legship. A reserved small car costs about ₹5,000–6,500. Shared jeeps for Gyalshing and Pelling leave Siliguri each morning for about ₹400–500 a seat. Fares are indicative and rise in peak season.
Is West Sikkim good for a family trip
Yes. Altitudes are moderate, between about 1,300 m and 2,200 m, drives are mostly under 5 hours, and the main sights need little walking. Namchi and Ravangla have large, easy pilgrim parks, and Pelling has views from hotel rooftops. Bring warm clothes, as nights are cold from November to March.
How much does a West Sikkim trip cost per day
Indicatively, budget travellers spend about ₹1,800–2,800 per person a day using homestays and shared jeeps. Value travellers spend about ₹3,500–5,500 with good hotels and a private car shared by two. Comfort trips cost about ₹7,000–12,000. Cars are the biggest cost, so groups of four save the most.
Can I combine West Sikkim with Darjeeling
Yes, easily. Pelling to Darjeeling is about 75 km and 3.5–4.5 hours via Jorethang, and Rinchenpong to Darjeeling about 4 hours. Many travellers do Gangtok, Ravangla and Pelling, then finish in Darjeeling before flying from Bagdogra. Sikkim taxis can drop you in Darjeeling but usually cannot do local sightseeing there.