Gangtok to Pelling
Your options
Ways to make the trip
5–6 hours
₹350–450 a seat · Morning shared jeeps for Gyalshing and Pelling leave from the West Sikkim jeep stand in Gangtok. Ask your hotel which stand is in use that season, as stands have moved. Book a seat the day before. Some jeeps go to Gyalshing only, with local jeeps on to Pelling.
4.5–5 hours
₹5,000–6,000 per car · A small car or SUV booked through your hotel or the Gangtok taxi stands. Many drivers include stops at Temi Tea Garden or Buddha Park in Ravangla for a little extra. A two-day trip with a night in Ravangla costs more but breaks the drive.
Worth a stop
- Singtam on the Teesta
- Temi Tea Garden
- Buddha Park, Ravangla
- Legship and the Rangeet bridge
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Which route do cars take from Gangtok to Pelling
Most go via Ranipool, Singtam and Damthang or Temi to Ravangla, then down to Legship and up to Gyalshing and Pelling. Some drivers go via Rangpo, Melli and Jorethang when roads are better that way. Ask your driver the day before, especially in the monsoon, when slides can change the best route.
Can I visit Buddha Park on the way to Pelling
Yes. Ravangla is roughly halfway, and a reserved car can stop at Buddha Park for an hour, adding a little to the cost. Shared jeeps will not wait. If you want to see Ralang Monastery or Temi Tea Garden as well, spend a night in Ravangla rather than rushing.
How much is a reserved car from Gangtok to Pelling
Expect about ₹5,000–6,000 for a small car and ₹6,000–7,500 for an SUV, one way, with short stops included. Prices rise in October and around New Year. Rates are set loosely by local taxi unions and are indicative, so confirm with your hotel or driver before you go.
Is it better to go Gangtok to Pelling or Pelling to Gangtok
It makes little difference to the drive. Most visitors start in Gangtok because flights and trains reach Siliguri, and Gangtok is the usual first stop. Ending in Pelling then means a 5–6 hour drive back to Siliguri. Some loop the other way to finish in Gangtok for its shops and restaurants.