One day in Pelling — Pemayangtse, the Rabdentse ruins and the skywalk
A relaxed day on the ridge above Pelling: the Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins and the Chenrezig statue and skywalk. All three are close together by road, so the plan leaves room for a long lunch and for waiting out cloud. For more time, take the two days with Khecheopalri.
Photos: Anjan Kumar Kundu (CC BY 4.0) · Dinesh Valke from Thane, India (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Rangan Datta Wiki (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
First-time visitors with a single day, who like old monasteries and a long view; in spring and autumn the sky is more likely to be clear.
Day by day
Day 1A monastery, a lost capital and a glass walkway
3 stops · 11 min on the road
A monastery, a lost capital and a glass walkway
Everything lies within about ten minutes of the town by road, so the day can start late and end early.
- 09:00Pemayangtse MonasteryThe Nyingma monastery founded in 1647, with its painted floors; ask locally about the day's access.
- ↓ a short walk10:45Rabdentse RuinsThe ruined second capital of the Sikkim kings, reached by a short walk through woodland from the yellow gate.
- ↓ 10 min by road · 5 km13:30Chenrezig Statue and SkywalkThe 42 m statue and the glass skywalk, best seen against a clear sky.
Getting there
The day starts in Pelling; see how to reach Pelling for the airport, the station and the road.
Where to stay
Stay in Pelling, which is the base for all the plans here. We have no verified lodging or prices.
Know before you go
- Start early when you can, because Wikipedia notes the Kanchenjunga view from the ruins and the monastery is best on a clear day.
- Wear shoes with grip for the woodland path at Rabdentse, which is wet in the rains.
- We have no verified opening hours or fees for any of the three stops; ask locally.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Pelling itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Pelling →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How long do you need in Pelling?
One day covers the three nearest sights: the Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins and the Chenrezig statue and skywalk, each within about ten minutes of the town by road on our routing. Khecheopalri Lake, Tashiding and Yuksom are more than an hour away, so each needs a day of its own.
What is the best order for a day in Pelling?
Monastery and ruins in the morning, when the air is most often clear, then the statue and skywalk after lunch. The three sit close together, so the order is flexible; swap them if cloud covers the ridge, and check the sky before you pay for any view.
When is the best time for this plan?
We have no weather table for Pelling. Darjeeling, at a similar height, has its peak seasons in spring and autumn by Wikipedia's account, so April, May, October and November are our guess, and the monsoon months bring cloud. Winter can bring snow to the town.