Rinchenpong
A ridge-top village with a rare Buddha and a lake that was poisoned
Rinchenpong sits on a ridge in the south-west of Sikkim, about 40 km from Pelling and 130 km from Siliguri, with neighbouring Kaluk just below it. Since 2021 it has been part of the new Soreng district, carved out of West Sikkim. Its view is the reason most people come: from the ridge the whole Kangchenjunga range spreads across the northern sky, often clearer than from Pelling because there is less haze and fewer buildings.
The village is spread thin along the road and the slopes, with orange orchards, cardamom groves under shade trees and terraced fields. Rinchenpong Monastery, dating from about 1730, holds an unusual statue of the Adi Buddha in union with his consort, rare in Sikkim. Resum Monastery is a walk away along the ridge.
There is little to do here and that is the point. Walk, sit, eat home food and watch the light on the range.
Highlights
What Rinchenpong does best
An open view of the range from the village, especially at sunrise from October to April.
An eighteenth-century monastery known for its statue of the Adi Buddha in yab-yum form.
A forest walk along the ridge to a small, quiet monastery with views both ways.
A small pond tied to a nineteenth-century story of local resistance to a British force.
Family farms growing oranges, cardamom, ginger and vegetables, several of which take guests.
Far fewer visitors than Pelling, with dark skies and quiet evenings.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Rinchenpong
Shared jeeps run from Jorethang to Rinchenpong and Kaluk, mostly in the morning and early afternoon, about ₹120–180 a seat and 2 hours. Siliguri to Jorethang by shared jeep is about ₹250–300. There are occasional direct morning jeeps from Siliguri.
A reserved car from NJP or Bagdogra takes about 5 hours via Melli and Jorethang and costs about ₹5,000–6,000. From Pelling a reserved car costs about ₹2,000–2,800 and takes 1.5–2 hours.
Bagdogra (IXB) is the nearest working airport, about 140 km and 5 hours by road.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Rinchenpong and Kaluk have family homestays at ₹1,500–3,000 per person with meals, a few small hotels at ₹2,000–4,000 a room, and well-known farmstays at ₹4,000–6,500 a room with meals. Choose a stay on the ridge or with a north-facing room for the view. There are almost no restaurants, so meals at your stay matter.
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 …
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Five things to know
- Pick a room with a north-facing window; the range is the main event here.
- Book meals with your stay, as Rinchenpong has very few places to eat.
- Carry cash; the nearest reliable ATMs are in Jorethang and Gyalshing.
- Walk to Resum Monastery early, before the cloud rises.
- Ask before photographing people working in fields or orchards.
The local story
The poison lake of Rinchenpong
In 1860, relations between Sikkim and British India broke down over the kidnapping of British subjects and the flight of runaway slaves and debtors across the border. A small British force was sent into Sikkim and advanced to Rinchenpong, where it camped on the ridge.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Rinchenpong
Is Rinchenpong better than Pelling
It is different. Rinchenpong is quieter, with fewer hotels, little traffic and a wide view of the range, so it suits slow travellers and couples. Pelling has more sights, restaurants and transport. Many people spend two nights in Pelling for the sights and one or two in Rinchenpong for the calm. If you only have two nights, choose Pelling.
How do I reach Rinchenpong from Siliguri
Rinchenpong is about 130 km from Siliguri, around 5 hours by road via Melli and Jorethang. A reserved car from NJP or Bagdogra costs about ₹5,000–6,000. By shared jeep, go Siliguri to Jorethang for about ₹250–300, then Jorethang to Rinchenpong for about ₹120–180. Fares are indicative.
What is special about Rinchenpong Monastery
Rinchenpong Monastery, built around 1730, holds a statue of the Adi Buddha (Samantabhadra) in yab-yum, the union of male and female, which is rare in Sikkim. The monastery is small and calm, with wall paintings and prayer wheels, and a view of the range from its grounds. Dress modestly and ask before taking photos inside.
Can you see Kangchenjunga from Rinchenpong
Yes, and the view is one of the widest in Sikkim, taking in Kangchenjunga, Kabru, Rathong and other peaks. It is clearest from October to April, usually in the early morning. In the monsoon, from June to September, cloud hides the range most days. Plan two mornings to give yourself a good chance.
Is Rinchenpong good for families
For families who enjoy walking, farms and quiet, yes. Children can see orchards, cows and cardamom drying, and walks are short. There is no nightlife, few shops and no play areas, and some homestays have steep steps. Bring snacks, books and warm clothes, and choose a stay that serves food children will eat.
Are there ATMs in Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong has no reliable ATM. Draw cash in Jorethang, Gyalshing or Pelling before you arrive and carry enough for your stay, transport and donations. Some homestays accept UPI, but mobile data can be slow. Tell your host in advance if you need to pay by bank transfer.
What is the weather like in Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong is mild for its height: about 3–14°C in winter, 12–22°C in spring and autumn, and warm and very wet in the monsoon. Nights are cold from November to February, so bring warm layers. Fog is common in the monsoon and some winter mornings. October to April is the best time.
Can I combine Rinchenpong with Pelling and Yuksom
Yes. A common plan is two nights in Pelling, one in Yuksom and one or two in Rinchenpong, linked by reserved cars of 1.5–2 hours each. From Rinchenpong you can drive to Darjeeling in about 4 hours via Jorethang, or back to Siliguri in about 5 hours, which makes a neat loop.
Do foreigners need a special permit for Rinchenpong
Foreign nationals need only the standard Sikkim Inner Line Permit, available at the Melli and Rangpo checkposts or online, and must show it at hotels. No extra permit is needed for Rinchenpong, Kaluk or Resum. Permit rules can change, so check current status before you travel.
Packages
Routes that stop in Rinchenpong
Nearby
Pair it with
Kangchenjunga at breakfast, and the old capitals of Sikkim below
Where Sikkim crowned its first king and the Goecha La trail begins
Guru Rinpoche on the hilltop and Shiva on the next ridge
Tea, toy trains and Kangchenjunga at the end of the ridge
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