Yuksom

Where Sikkim crowned its first king and the Goecha La trail begins

Yuksom is a quiet village at 1,780 m in West Sikkim, the site of the coronation of Sikkim's first Chogyal in 1642 and the starting point for the Dzongri and Goecha La treks. Spend one night for the history and Dubdi Monastery, or two to three if you are trekking.

Photo: Kothanda Srinivasan · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Yuksom lies at the end of the road north of Pelling, 35 km and about 1.5–2 hours away, on a shelf above the Rathong Chu. The name is usually explained as 'meeting place of the three lamas', after the three Tibetan teachers who met here in 1642 and crowned Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal of Sikkim. Yuksom was the kingdom's first capital.

Today it is a small village of homestays, lodges, a few shops and a football ground, with prayer flags strung over the lanes. Three historic sites are within an easy walk: the Norbugang coronation throne, Kathok Lake and Dubdi Monastery, founded in 1701. Tashiding Monastery is 19 km away by road.

For trekkers, Yuksom is the gateway to Khangchendzonga National Park. The trail to Tshoka, Dzongri and Goecha La starts at the top of the village, where permits are checked. In October and April the village fills with trekking groups; the rest of the year it is calm and cheap.

Highlights

What Yuksom does best

Norbugang coronation throneA stone throne under an old pine where, by tradition, Sikkim's first king was crowned in 1642.
Dubdi MonasteryA small stone monastery founded in 1701 on a forested ridge, an hour's walk above the village.
Kathok LakeA small, still pond in the village whose water is used in Sikkim's royal and state rituals.
Gateway to Goecha LaStart of the Dzongri and Goecha La treks into Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tashiding MonasteryA hilltop monastery 19 km away, home of the Bumchu festival each spring.
Homestay village lifeFamily homestays where trekking guides, porters and farmers share the same lanes.

Experiences

Four hours to plan around

culture · 1.5–2 hours Heritage walk to Norbugang and Kathok Lake Yuksom, West and South Sikkim

spiritual · 2–2.5 hours return Forest hike to Dubdi Monastery Yuksom, West and South Sikkim

spiritual · Half day Visit Tashiding Monastery on its sacred hill Yuksom, West and South Sikkim

adventure · 4–5 days Short trek to Tshoka and Dzongri Yuksom, West and South Sikkim

Getting there

How to reach Yuksom

Shared jeep

Shared jeeps run from Gyalshing (Geyzing) to Yuksom, mostly in the morning and early afternoon, about ₹120–180 a seat and 2 hours. A few jeeps run direct from Siliguri and Jorethang to Yuksom in the morning, about ₹450–550 a seat.

Private car

A reserved car from Pelling costs about ₹2,200–2,800 one way, or ₹3,500–4,500 as a day trip with Khecheopalri Lake. From NJP or Bagdogra a reserved car takes 6–7 hours and costs around ₹6,500–8,000.

Air

Bagdogra (IXB) is the nearest working airport, about 170 km and 6–7 hours by road.

Where to stay

Rooms we book

Yuksom has family homestays at ₹1,500–3,000 per person with meals, simple lodges at ₹1,000–2,000 a room, and a handful of mid-range hotels at ₹3,000–6,000. Everything is within walking distance of the main lane. Book ahead in October, November and April, when trekking groups fill the village.

Homestay · Yuksom Yuksom village homestays

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 …

From our planners

Five things to know

If you plan a trek, arrive a day early to sort permits, meet your guide and acclimatise at 1,780 m.
Walk the three heritage sites on foot; Norbugang, Kathok Lake and the Dubdi trail start are all within 1 km.
Take the morning shared jeep out; afternoon departures are few and can be cancelled.
Carry cash from Pelling or Gyalshing; Yuksom's ATM is often out of order.
Respect the lake and throne sites: no feet on the stone, no litter, no swimming.

The local story

Three lamas and a king at Norbugang

Sikkim's own histories tell that in the seventeenth century three Tibetan lamas of the Nyingma school travelled into Sikkim from different directions: Lhatsun Chenpo from the north, and two others from the west and south. They met at Yuksom, and the place took its name from that meeting.

Read the whole story →

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Yuksom

Is Yuksom worth visiting if I am not trekking

Yes, for a night. Yuksom was Sikkim's first capital, and the Norbugang throne, Kathok Lake and Dubdi Monastery can be seen in half a day on foot. The village is calm, homestays are cheap, and Tashiding Monastery is 19 km away. Without a trek, one night is enough; pair it with two nights in Pelling.

How far is Yuksom from Pelling

Yuksom is about 35 km from Pelling, a drive of 1.5–2 hours on a winding road past Rimbi and Kanchenjunga Falls. A reserved car costs about ₹2,200–2,800 one way. Shared jeeps run from Gyalshing, 10 km below Pelling, for about ₹120–180 a seat, mostly in the morning. Fares are indicative.

What permits do I need for the Goecha La trek from Yuksom

Indian trekkers need a Khangchendzonga National Park entry permit and must register with the forest checkpost and police in Yuksom, carrying photo ID. A registered guide is required. Foreign nationals need the Sikkim ILP plus a trekking permit arranged through a registered Sikkim agency, usually for groups of two or more. Fees are charged per person per day. Check current status before you travel.

Can I trek to Dzongri without a guide

No. Independent trekking in Khangchendzonga National Park is not permitted; you must go with a registered guide, and in practice most people book through a licensed Yuksom or Gangtok agency that handles permits, tents, food and porters. Rules on guides, group size and permits have been tightened in recent years. Check current status before you travel.

What is the best season for Yuksom

October and November bring the clearest skies and the main trekking season. March to May is the second season, with rhododendrons in bloom on the trail from April. December to February is cold but often clear, with snow higher up. June to September is monsoon: leeches, landslides and closed treks, though the village itself stays open.

Is there an ATM in Yuksom

There is a small ATM, but it is often out of cash or out of order, especially in trekking season. Draw enough money in Pelling, Gyalshing or Jorethang before you arrive, including cash for guides, porters and park fees. Some homestays and shops accept UPI when the network allows, but cash is still the norm.

How do I get from Yuksom to Tashiding

Tashiding is about 19 km from Yuksom, roughly 1 hour by car. A reserved car costs about ₹1,500–2,000 one way or ₹2,500–3,000 return with waiting. Occasional shared jeeps run between the villages, mostly in the morning. From the road head a steep path of 20–30 minutes climbs to the monastery, so wear good shoes.

Is Yuksom suitable for families

Yes. The heritage walk is short and mostly flat, the village is safe and quiet, and homestays welcome children. The Dubdi Monastery hike is steep but fine for children over seven or eight who are used to walking. Bring warm clothes, as evenings are cool all year, and carry snacks; shops stock only basics.

What should I pack for Yuksom

Pack layers: a warm jacket, fleece, hat and gloves from November to March, and a light rain jacket all year. Walking shoes with grip are essential for Dubdi and the trail. Bring a head torch for power cuts, cash, any medicines, and leech socks or salt if you visit in the monsoon. Trekkers need full mountain kit.