Pelling's Perfect Circuit: Monasteries, Waterfalls, and Mountain Views
A full Pelling circuit — Pemayangste Monastery, Khechipelri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls, and Rabdantse Ruins.
Pelling has been Sikkim's second most popular hill town for good reason. Its compact geography places ancient monasteries, spectacular waterfalls, and a sacred lake within easy reach of the town centre.
Pemayangste Monastery
One of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim, Pemayangste sits at 6,800 feet and is the seat of the senior Nyingma lamas of Sikkim. The three-storey structure holds remarkable scroll paintings and a spectacular wooden model of Guru Rinpoche's celestial palace.
Khechipelri Lake and Kanchenjunga Falls
Khechipelri is a sacred wish-fulfilling lake hidden in the forest — said to be guarded by birds who remove every fallen leaf from the surface. Kanchenjunga Falls, a 30-minute drive, is the most dramatic waterfall in West Sikkim.
Rabdantse Ruins
The Rabdantse Ruins are the remains of Sikkim's second capital, abandoned in the 18th century. The hilltop site offers extraordinary views of the Kanchenjunga massif.
When to Visit
October to December gives the clearest mountain views. March and April bring rhododendron blooms across the surrounding forests.
