20

Places to Visit in West Sikkim

West Sikkim boasts of an impressive biodiversity, and the best way to explore it is paying a visit to Kanchenjunga National Park. Teeming with exotic flora and fauna species, glacial lakes, glaciers, extensive range of forests, and much more, Kanchenjunga National Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2016. Stay in the best resorts in Sikkim to explore the lifestyle of North India.

Owing to all it houses, it is a delight for all wildlife buffs, bird watchers, and nature lovers visiting the region. The park sprawls over an area of 849 sq. km, and gives ample opportunities for wildlife exploration with species like Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, etc. residing here. 

The park encompasses Pine, Oak, Birch, Willow, and Maple forests. Furthermore,it also features numerous trails for trekking making it a paradise for trekkers.

Khecheopalri Lake is considered to be a sacred lake by the locals. It is situated in the dense dark forest with impressive foliage which adds to the beauty of the lake. It is believed that the leaves are not permitted to float on the lake so the birds pick them up as soon as they fall.

The legend has it that this lake fulfills wishes, so don’t forget to make a wish while you are here. One can also trek to reach this serene place and add a sense of thrill to their this trip. This lake is a perfect place to enjoy fish feeding, birding and the beauty of the raw nature. The pleasant site of the lake surrounded by the rich green forest is a sight to behold. 

Location: Khecheopalri, West Sikkim

Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fees: INR 10 Per Person

You can also check out our full guide on the best places to visit in north east india on your trip. 

You Must Checkout: Sikkim Family Tour Packages

One of the most popular destinations in Sikkim, Yuksom has an extensive range of attractions to amuse its visitors with which cover both man-made and natural marvels. Some of the most popular attractions in and around Yuksom are Khecheopalri Lake, Tashiding Monastery, Kanchengdzonga National Park, and Dubdi Monastery.

Established in the year 1642, the historical town was the first capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim. Also, the place offers various trekking trails that will take you through the most amazing landscapes if you are interested in some adventure on your trip. Yuksom is a perfect package of a destination for you to explore and experience.

A pure diamond in the jewel of the Eastern Himalayas, Mount Pandim is definitely one of the most iconic places to visit in West Sikkim. When you start your trek from Dzongri to Goecha La, magnificent views of the mighty mountain accompany you throughout your journey. 

You get an opportunity to pass through the base of the mountain on the last day of Goecha la Trek. This mountain, boasting an elevation of 6691 metres, looks stunning with Mt Kanchenjunga beside it, and is a sight to behold.

Tashiding Monastery marvelously sits on the top a hill between Rothong and Rangeet River. It was built during 17th century and is considered as the holiest and oldest monastery in Sikkim. The legend has it that the Guru Padmasambhava shot an arrow into the thin air and the arrow landed at the hilltop and he started meditating there. 

Later, at the same spot the monastery was built. Enjoy the colorful scroll paintings of Buddha, stone inscriptions carved with holy Buddhist mantras and Chortens. The views from the monastery are scenic and one can also have a glimpse of the towering Kanchenjunga that will leave you astonished.

Location: Tashiding, West Sikkim

Timings: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Also spelled as Gylashing, Geyzing is the capital of the West Sikkim district. The place is surrounded by a lot of tourist attractions, making it one of the best places to visit in West Sikkim. Apart from enjoying the essentially Himalayan scenic vistas, you have various monasteries and villages to explore while you are here. 

To add some more excitement to your West Sikkim trip, you can also indulge in trekking here which lets you reach vantage points offering extremely beautiful views of some popular Himalayan peaks. Varsey, Yangtey, and Rabdentse are few of the places of interest near Geyzing.

Here's our full guide on the best places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh, which will really help you in planning your trip to arunachal. 

Also Checkout & Book: Darjeeling Packages From Mumbai

Find solace in the company of nature and serenity in Darap Village located in West Sikkim. This picturesque village is bound to grab your attention with its scenic beauty while you are travelling from Pelling to Yuksom. If you wish to disconnect from the chaos of cities for a while, there are only a few destinations as good as Darap. 

Though the village lacks big tourist attractions, you can enjoy your time here by indulging in trekking, bird watching, photography, and handicraft making. Visit this place with friends or solo, stay for a while, and make memories that you will remember for a long time.

A place with a great historical importance, Rabdentse Ruins is among the most interesting places to visit in West Sikkim. Rabdentse was the second capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim and was founded by Chogyal II in the year 1670. The site, located close to Pelling, served the purpose till the year 1814 when it was destroyed during the invasion of Gurkha Army. 

The site is now limited to ruins of the complex that once constituted palace and monasteries. If you are interested in learning about the history of Sikkim, this is one of the places you must visit.

Location: Near Pelling, West Sikkim

Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM

A perfect holiday destination for honeymoon couples, families, and even solo travelers, Yangtey is a paradisaical hamlet sitting at an elevation of 6,000 feet in the realm of the Himalayas. The pleasant climate of the place throughout the year also plays a great part in making Yangtey one of the most popular West Sikkim tourist spots. 

Lying just 9 km away from Pelling, Yangtey is well-connected with roads. There are numerous tourist attractions in and around the place including but not limited to Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Waterfalls, and Sewaro Rock Garden in addition to Buddhist monasteries. Most importantly, you can enjoy the magical view of Kanchenjunga Peak from here.

If you are willing to add thrill and adventure to your overall affair in West Sikkim, there cannot be a better option that Dzongri Trek. A treat for all adventure-seekers in the region, the scenic trekking trail enthralls you with spellbinding views of some prominent Himalayan mountain peaks and captivating high-altitude lakes. This is one of the best things to do in sikkim for an adventure lover. 

The adventure of Dzongri Trek offers you an opportunity to walk through verdant landscape of Kanchenjunga National Park. Apart from adventure enthusiasts, this trek is also a great option for shutterbugs seeking a chance to click Himalayan landscapes. This 7-days trek begins at Yuksom and lets you relish some magical vistas from Dzongri View Point.

The presence of Tibetan culture is the life of the cultural heritage of Sikkim, and one of the most prominent sites confirming the fact is Sangachoeling Monastery. One of the oldest monasteries in the region, Sangachoeling was established in the 17th century. 

The monastery complex stores valuable artefacts like ancient paintings, sculptures, scriptures, and much more. The monastery is located on a ridge in Pelling that offers panoramic views of the lush green hills and snow-capped mountains around it. If you are planning to tour West Sikkim, know that this place delivers a perfect blend of divinity and tranquility.

Location: Pelling, West Sikkim

Timing: 9 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: Entry is free

Also Checkout & Book: Darjeeling Tour Package For Family
                                         Sikkim Darjeeling Gangtok Tour Package From Mumbai

Positioned in the middle of unspoiled nature, Legship is a small Sikkimese town offering a rejuvenating experience to the visitors. The town is located on the banks of River Rangit, which makes it a great choice among those who appreciate nature and like to capture the best of it on their cameras. 

Gateway to West Sikkim is another name for Legship. Rangit Dam is one of the top attractions in the town which is frequented by locals and tourists on picnic and outing. The facility of rafting is available for thrill-seekers here. Besides, Lho Khando Sang Pho Cave and Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple are must visit places when you are in Legship.

One of the most sought after West Sikkim tourist spots, Biksthang is a pure delight for all of your senses. Sitting in the lap of Himalayas, the village is also known for offering breathtaking views of the mighty Mt. Kanchenjunga. Mangalbarey is another name the village is known as. Another factor that adds to the natural charm of the village is Rangit River. 

Since Biksthang is located at an elevation of 4,100 feet, it features a pleasant climate throughout the year which makes it one of those places in West Sikkim that can be visited during any season. The village is located close to Pelling and Rinchenpong, so you can easily add the place to your itinerary.

Located at an elevation of 6,600 feet on a slope of Singalila Range, Uttarey is a picture-perfect village where you can consider spending a day or two while you are in Sikkim. If you like to explore offbeat, you are going to love every moment of your stay in Uttarey as it is a less-explored destination with pristine nature as its main characteristic. 

You can trek to reach various vantage points near the village that offer spellbinding views of prominent Himalayan peaks. Surrounded by hilltops, waterfalls and verdant landscapes, Uttarey is located close to Indo-Nepal border. You can easily reach here by road since this place is located at a short distance of 30 km from Pelling.

If you are a nature lover who also happens to love adventure, Varsey is a place you must not miss out on your West Sikkim tour. Varsey is essentially a rhododendron sanctuary sprawling across an area of nearly 104 sq. km. A popular way to visit Varsey is to indulge in a trekking expedition that begins from Hilley and takes you to this beautiful place that is full of nature. 

The spring season brings a riot of colour to the place with vibrant rhododendrons blooming and putting on a show for the visitors to see during the months of March and April. To make the experience all the more exciting, find yourself an accommodation at Varsey. You can also check out guide on the best homestays in sikkim to stay on your trip for an unique experience. 

Take the path less travelled and reach this quaint hill village on your visit to West Sikkim to undertake an unforgettable experience. Though not known to too many travellers, Okhrey is a popular name among adventure enthusiasts in the region as it serves as the base for Hilley-Varsey Rhododendron Trek. 

It is a perfect place to stay at if you are in West Sikkim in search of some adrenaline-pumping action.From tourism point of view, the village mainly encompasses scenic landscape thriving with lush greenery. Besides, the place also features a man-made tourist attraction which is a Buddhist monastery named Ugen Thon Meon Ling Monastery. 

The impressive architecture of the monastery attracts a lot of tourists visiting the region.

Sitting at an elevation of almost 5,500 feet, Rinchenpong is a town in West Sikkim that is heavenly in its very character. The Himalayan town, with numerous attractions for tourists including monasteries and Poison Lake, is emerging as a popular destination in the region.

Apart from enjoying the untainted nature, you can also relish mesmerizing views of the snow-covered Mt. Kanchenjunga from Rinchenpong. The place is also popular as “The Silent Valley” which speaks volumes about the kind of calm you can find here. A perfect spot for those looking an escape from maddening crowds, Rinchenpong will become the highlight of your visit to West Sikkim.