Pelling is a scenic town resting on a ridge at an elevation of 7,200 ft and has derived its name from an old monastery called Pemaling Choeling. It is the second biggest tourist destination in Sikkim after Gangtok due to its locational advantage. It’s the place from where one can get the closest view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other mountain ranges which includes the Kokthang, Frey, Rathong, Kabru North and Kabru South, Kabru Dom, Talung Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Jopuno, Tinchikhang, Narsingh and others.It’s still an undisturbed natural region with lush green vegetation and sparkling waterfalls on the hillside.

Pelling forms the base of all trekking adventures that people undertake in West Sikkim. Also, it remains the centre from where other prominent tourist spots of West Sikkim can be covered with ease. Tourists who are visiting Pelling for leisure travelling will have plenty of options for sightseeing all within reach by walk or a few hours’ drive. The major of places of attraction are: Chhangey waterfall (10 kms from Pelling), the Kanchenjunga waterfall-known as the most beautiful in entire Sikkim, Khecheopalri Lake-considered as the most sacred of all lakes where birds do not allow a single leaf to float on its surface. On the way to the lake you can visit the Rambi waterfalls and the Sewaro rock garden which is a specially developed picnic spot for tourists amidst dense greenery and varieties of flowers with well-equipped recreational joints and is decorated with pools and fountains, regularly maintained by Sikkim Tourism department.

 Other spots for sightseeing are the Pemayangtse Monastery constructed in 1705 and is one of the oldest in Sikkim and houses a huge collection of old paintings and sculptures, from here if you take left- a 10 minutes’ walk will take you to the Rabdantse Ruins, an old palace which lies hidden inside a forest overlooking a deep valley. Other interesting places like the Alpine Cheese factory, Dentam valley, old Singshore Bridge, Sangachoeling Monastery, Tikjuk view point and Helipad ground can be visited if you halt at a hotel for a few days. Also, the Kanchenjunga Festival held here every year is an important cultural event which takes place with a lot of fun activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, the-water rafting on river Rangit, kayaking, promotional trekkingand bird watching- is a ‘must-attend’ event.

However, all the above can be done only when you have booked yourself a proper accommodation at the Pelling hotels. Several resorts and hotels have been constructed at beautiful locations throughout Sikkim to cater to the huge rush of tourists from varied parts of the world. From luxurious and spacious Pelling hotel suites to reasonable priced cottages and hotels-all are available to suit every pocket. The rooms are well-furnished with modern amenities such as telephone, color television, regular room service, independent geysers, outdoor parking, private balconies, generator back up and heater for all rooms and much more. Some of the prominentPelling hotels and resorts in are Hotel Green Valley, the Chumbi Mountain Retreat & Spa, Hotel Sonamchen and Norbu Ghang Resort. Some Pelling hotels offer discount on their rates during off season, do look out for them.

Book yourself in advance to avoid the rush of tourists during high season. Several agencies offer special tour packages that help tourists cover prime spots with arrangements for accommodations at Pelling hotels.Jeep services and buses are easily available from Siliguri (nearest city) and Gangtok to help you reach Pelling. The best time to visit the town would be during between April and June and September to October.