Pelling

Pelling is a small town situated in the hills in West Sikkim, 7,200 feet above the sea level. Despite being one of the lesser-known towns in the area, it is slowly gaining attention as a popular tourist destination. 

Pelling is a dream destination for trekkers, nature lovers, bird-watchers and serenity seekers. The city is dotted with heritage structures like ancient monasteries and breath-taking waterfalls like the Kanchenjunga falls, the Rimbi Waterfall and the Changey Waterfall. The Sanga Choeling Monastery and the Pemayangtse Monastery are the two of the main monasteries in the area that one must visit for their heritage and architectural significance when they are in Pelling. 

Pelling is easily accessible from both Gangtok and Darjeeling. It is located at a distance of 131 km from Gangtok and 73.9 km from Darjeeling. The nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri from where one can hire buses and cars to reach Pelling. You can also hire buses that leave at frequent intervals from Gangtok and Siliguri that pass through Pelling. 

The best time to visit Pelling is between December to May, which consists of winter, spring, and summer. During December, the temperature drops down to -5 degrees Celsius, allowing the tourists to take advantage of the snow and enjoy sports like the snow-skating. The summers are equally vibrant, with temperatures remaining cool throughout the day and different kinds of flowers filling up the valleys in the area. 

The main language spoken here is Sikkimese, but Nepali and Hindi are also spoken fluently by the locals. The cuisine here is mainly north-Eastern and several local shops sell delicacies that are a speciality of this place. The town is well-equipped with multiple hotels and restaurants to ensure a comfortable stay for the tourists.