West Sikkim Travel Guide

Peaceful, tranquil, and an adventurer’s paradise
Above the breathtaking landscape of formidable mountain cliffs hanging to the shoulders in thick green woods in West Sikkim, stands the majestic white peak of Mount Kanchenjunga.

The overall attraction is increased by a number of quaint villages, cascades, and religious monasteries and temples. A little planning and the right funding may lead to some fantastic trekking, such as the week-long trip to Goecha La, which gets close to the icy base of Kanchenjunga.

West Sikkim is mostly a place for nature lovers who want to contemplate the peaceful, tranquil surroundings.

Geyzing And Pelling

Pelling, the most famous attraction in West Sikkim, is still situated at 2150 meters above sea level. From here, one can view the Kanchenjunga and Himalayan ranges. Adventure seekers and hikers embark on their journeys to inaccessible regions from this base. Pelling is a remarkable attraction featuring a beautiful helipad with breathtaking views.

The Sanga Choeling monastery, the Pemayangtse monastery, the Rimbi River waterfall, and the stone garden are among the several attractions. There’s a much larger town called Geyzing (or Gyalshing) 10 miles before one touches down at Pelling. This main city of West Sikkim is well-known for its bustling geyzing market, which has been operating for more than a century.

Surprisingly, Gyalshing refers to the Royal green enclosures at Rabdentse Palace and the King’s Garden. In the unlikely event that you must shop, the Geyzing Bazaar is your greatest option. There are restaurants that provide delectable food, and you can purchase high-quality locally-made items here.

Best Time To Visit

Also Read: Geyzing Travel Guide

Okhrey Village, Rhododendron Sanctuary And Barsey

Lying 10,000 feet above the ground. One of the less well-known locations in West Sikkim near the Nepal border is Barsey (sometimes spelled Varsey). Barsey’s height allows for breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga peaks. Rich timberlands that support a wide variety of flora, including orchids, magnolia, and wild hemlock, blanket the whole area.

Situated between the Kanchenjunga National Reserve in North Sikkim and the Singalila National Park in South Sikkim, the 104 sq. km Barsey Rhodenderon Sanctuary is regarded as one of West Sikkim’s most notable attractions. To experience the riot of blossoms here, one must come here in March or April. You may also find Red Panda in this facility.

Situated near the Barsey Rhodenderon asylum, Okhrey is a little village that has gained significant recognition in the eco-tourism industry. It is eighteen kilometers from Sombaria to this location. This town is home to Sherpa clans, who in collaboration with the Sikkim government have developed a social consciousness initiative that operates via small-scale homestays in the town.

Visit Okhrey to savor the regional food, and take in the stunning architecture, clothing, and dance and music events. In Okhrey, there are also programs for inborn associations, cookery lessons, melodious evenings, nature walks, mountain hikes, and cooking workshops.

Best Time to Visit

Dentam Valley

Dentam Valley is around 12 miles away from Barsey, a lovely location. Dentam is situated at an elevation of 1500 meters. Surprisingly, Dentam still has stunning vistas of Kanchenjunga and smooth, rolling terrain with unique geology.

Dentam is surrounded by a rhododendron canopy, drawing nature enthusiasts and bird watchers to the area. This place is packed with activities like hiking and mountain climbing.

Bikesthang

A little distance from Pelling is the stunning house known as Biksthang, formerly known as Chuchen, which suggests Big Lake. According to the Lepchas who have been living here for a long time, Biksthang is home to a large variety of holy stones.

The area is well-known for its bird and wildlife viewing, and it produces some of the most elaborate millet. The location of the adjacent haat, Mongalbaria, is a key attraction here. A staggering variety of locally produced foods, flavors, and harvests are offered here every Sunday.

Don’t miss a visit to the Lheuntse religious community, the Rahu Ney Caves, and the Sikkim deity of the Kanchenjunga watchman, who guards the five riches represented by the ranges of Narsing, Gabur Gangsten, Pandim, and Simvo.

Best Time to Visit

Legship

There is a stunning section of Sikkim on the road to Pelling that serves as the gateway to West Sikkim. Streets rolling in from Kewzing, Tashiding, Gangtok, Pelling, Yuksam, Jorethang, and Gayzing (Gyalshing) converge at this location.

Legship has gradually developed into a haven for water sports. Here, in addition to the stunning Rangit River, lies the well-known Shiva Sanctuary. In the Rangit River, you may enjoy kayaking, drifting, paddling, and other activities.

Legship’s freshly constructed water stop, which has only begun drawing a sizable number of tourists, is one of its most fascinating features. Not far from the Legship exhibition lies Tatto Pani, a hot water spring with remarkable healing qualities.

Best Time to Visit

Also Read: Legship Travel Guide

Uttarey

Travelers usually go from Dentum, Gezing, and Peling to Uttarey. This little community is renowned for its tranquil surroundings and standard of quality.

Uttarey is located on the north slope of the Singalila mountain and is surrounded by Tibet, West Bengal, Bhutan, and Nepal. This is a little satellite municipality full of interesting side trips that may be taken in amongst a profusion of Rhodendrons.

Near Uttarey in Chitrey, there is a trout fishing ranch that attracts a lot of anglers and fish. The Uttarey Trout Center is located around one kilometer away from Uttarey. Here you may purchase fresh fish and fish products from the inside as well as learn how to raise, maintain, and reproduce trout angle.

Best Time to Visit

Also Read: Uttarey Travel Guide

Dzongri

At 4200 meters, Dzongri is still considered remarkable when compared to other Sikkim hiking destinations. Some even claim it’s the greatest hiking location in India. Dzongri is surrounded by smooth White Mountain chains, and the sight alone is enough to captivate anybody.

There are reportedly fourteen separate crests seen from Dzongri. Here, in the winter, there is an abundance of snowfall and lows below zero. Trekkers with expertise and enthusiasm are advised to go to Dzongri. It is best to be physically fit before attempting a hike in this area.

Yuksom

Yuksom is a slow-moving town surrounded by delectable wilderness and abundant with vegetation. You may find reasonably priced hotels, restaurants, tour companies, stores, and other amenities in Yuksom to help you prepare for and recover from the Dzongri trip. The Kanchenjunga National Park is located here.

Fantastic hikes and tours are available inside the leisure center, and reservations for the cabin must be made in advance at the range office’s offices.

Best Time to Visit

Kaluk And Rinchenpong

The usual quality of Rinchenpong is abundant, and the vistas of Mount Kanchenjunga are breathtaking. From here, one can also view the massive Mount Narsing. There is a connection between Kaluk and Rinchenpong that has a great deal of review potential.

The mountainside extends to Uttarey, Hee, Bermiok, and Dentam. Lots of travelers plan full-day trips to the Ridge in order to take advantage of all of its offerings.

Rinchenpong

The eighteenth-century Rishum monastery and other religious structures nestled among the beautiful forest paths are just two of Richenpong’s many breathtaking attractions. This location has a leisure center dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore.

Other unique sights in Rinchenpong include the Poison Lake and the remnants of an ancient British bungalow, among others.

Also Read: Rhododendron Travel Guide

Kaluk

Since Kaluk town and Rinchenpong are so close together, tourists often visit both in one trip while in this area. The main draws of this area are the Gurung Monastery, Lepcha Heritage House, and the breathtaking vistas of the mountains from almost every angle.

You may buy in the Chinese market that sometimes gathers on the banks of the Teesta River and enjoy boating there. Only on Thursday nights does the Kaluk bazaar take place, when the locals sell everything from clothes and electronics to veggies and vegetables from both sides of the streets.

Best Time to Visit

Also Read : Kaluk Travel Guide

Hee Bermiok

Hee Bermiok makes reference to two or three West Sikkim settlements that have become rather well-known in the last several years. Near the Kaluk Rinchenpong zone lies this group.

The Hee River runs westward, the Rangit River runs eastward, the Kalez River runs northward, and the Samdong Timberland Reserve runs southward, encircling these villages. The colorful mix of very diverse plants is Hee Bermiok’s hallmark.

One of Hee Bermiok’s most beautiful sights is the Srijunga Cascades, which are about an hour’s drive from the town’s market. The Hee settlement is beside the immaculate Chaya Taal Lake. This is a water stop including slides and bathing areas.

Visitors to Hee Bermiok often engage in mountain riding, natural walks, visits to ancestral monuments, and trekking.

Best Time to Visit

Still unclear? Put all of your worries aside and plan your next holiday to West Sikkim’s beautiful locations. The unspoiled valleys are full of tales.

Also Read: Pelling Travel Guide

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frequently asked questions

How many days are enough for West Sikkim?

We would recommend an itinerary of 7 nights and 8 days to see the most stunning locations in Sikkim.

Which is the best month to visit West Sikkim?

March to May or October to mid-December are the ideal times to visit Sikkim, according to Sikkim Tourism. The ideal time to go is in the spring, from March to May, if you want to see the natural splendor in blossom.

What is the famous food in Sikkim?

Sikkim is renowned for having a rich and varied culinary tradition with unusual flavors and ingredients. Among the most well-known dishes in Sikkim are momos, thukpa, daal bhaat, and bamboo shoot curry.

What is the Speciality of Sikkim?

Sikkim, which is a region of the Eastern Himalayas, is well-known for its biodiversity, which includes alpine and subtropical climates. It is also home to Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world and the highest peak in India. Gangtok is the capital and biggest city in Sikkim.

What is Sikkim’s famous culture?

Sikkim’s traditional handicrafts are a reflection of its rich cultural history. The state government founded the Handicrafts and Handloom Institute to conserve and develop traditional crafts like as thangka paintings, wood-carved furniture, and carpets.