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West Sikkim Travel Guide - Top Attractions and Things to Do

West Sikkim is the second-largest district of Sikkim, highly regarded as a paradise for adventure lovers and those seeking peace in green surroundings. It is marked by high Himalayan peaks and lush forests, offering visitors wide and often breathtaking views of the grand white peaks of Mount Kanchenjunga.

 

Major offbeat places in West Sikkim which defines it’s tourism include Pelling, a prominent destination situated about 116 km from Gangtok. The journey from Gangtok takes approximately 4 to 5 hours by private cab. Other notable places to visit in West Sikkim are Gyalshing (Geyzing), the district capital, and Yuksom, an important historical town and base for treks to the Kanchenjunga National Park.

 

West Sikkim is immensely rich in history and culture. It is home to ancient spiritual sites like the sacred, ‘wish fulfilling’ Khecheopalri Lake, and the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Sikkim, dating back about 300 years. The Rabdentse Ruins mark the location of the erstwhile capital of the Sikkim Kingdom until 1814.

 

The region plays a crucial role in Sikkim tourism, primarily through trekking opportunities, including the famous Goechala and Dzongri treks. Natural attractions like the Kanchenjunga Waterfall and the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, where the Red Panda is found, further enhance its appeal. The optimal seasons for visiting are spring and autumn (March to May and September to November) for clear views and ideal conditions.

SANGANAG CHOLING MONASTERY

A paved outdoor area on a mountain ridge featuring a small white building with a red roof. Several tall, colorful prayer flags stand along the edge of the slope, overlooking a deep valley and distant, forested hills under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

CHENREZIG STATUE - SKY WALK

SKYWALK GLASS-BRIDGE

A wide shot featuring three people standing on a high-altitude glass skywalk or bridge with white railings. They are looking out toward a breathtaking mountain range. In the distance, massive, snow-covered peaks rise above a layer of dark blue mountain ridges. The sky above is a vibrant, solid blue with a few wispy white clouds clinging to the mountain summits.

PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY

A side-facing view of a traditional Tibetan Buddhist temple with white walls, a red tiered roof, and yellow-trimmed windows. The building is surrounded by a green lawn with manicured bushes and a row of dark, bell-shaped stupas with golden spires on the left. A tall, thin flagpole stands in the foreground on a sunny day under a clear blue sky.

RAPDENTSE RUINS

A side-facing view of a traditional Tibetan Buddhist temple with white walls, a red tiered roof, and yellow-trimmed windows. The building is surrounded by a green lawn with manicured bushes and a row of dark, bell-shaped stupas with golden spires on the left. A tall, thin flagpole stands in the foreground on a sunny day under a clear blue sky.

RIMBI WATERFALLS

A vertical, eye-level shot of a tall, slender waterfall cascading down a dark, rocky cliff face. The water falls in two distinct tiers, surrounded by dense, vibrant green moss and tropical foliage. In the lower foreground, a long string of colorful Buddhist prayer flags (blue, white, red, green, and yellow) is strung horizontally across the view. The scene is bright, with sunlight illuminating the falling water and the surrounding leaves.

ORANGE GARDEN

a beautiful scene of orange orchard with ripen oranges falling to the ground

KHECHOPARLI LAKE

A high-altitude, wide-angle shot of a large, still lake surrounded by barren, grassy hills. A narrow, winding mountain road traces the edge of the water and climbs up the steep slope of a green mountain on the left. The scene is shrouded in heavy mist and low-hanging gray clouds, creating a somber and isolated atmosphere.