Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary covers about 31 sq km of fir, juniper and rhododendron forest between roughly 3,290 m and 4,120 m, around 31 km from Gangtok on the road to Tsomgo Lake. Most visitors see it from the road; April and May bring the rhododendrons, and birders come for the blood pheasant.
Best months
April–May for flowers; October–November for clear skies
Nights we suggest
Seen on the Tsomgo day trip
From Gangtok
≈ 31 km · 1.5 h
Altitude
≈ 3,290–4,120 m
Known for
Rhododendrons, blood pheasant, fir and juniper forest
Permit
Covered by the Tsomgo permit for the road; forest permission for walks
About Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
What to know before you go
Set up in 1977, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary wraps around the road to Tsomgo Lake and covers about 31 sq km. It starts roughly 31 km from Gangtok, where the road climbs out of mixed forest into silver fir, juniper and rhododendron. The altitude ranges from about 3,290 m to about 4,120 m, with steep cliffs that hold snow for much of the year.
For most travellers, Kyongnosla is the forest you drive through on the way to Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathu La. Look out of the window in April and May, when rhododendrons flower red, pink and cream between the firs, and in early summer, when waterfalls spill onto the road. The ground flora includes primulas, irises, aconites, potentillas, ground orchids and wild strawberries.
The sanctuary protects habitat for the red panda, in the bamboo thickets lower down, and for pheasants including the Himalayan monal and the blood pheasant, Sikkim's state bird. BirdLife lists it, with Tsomgo and the Cho La area, as an Important Bird Area. Walks off the road need forest department permission and a local guide; ask us before you plan one.
Highlights
What to see and do
Rhododendrons in April and May
As the road climbs above about 3,000 m, rhododendron trees and shrubs bloom among the silver firs, from deep red to pink and cream. Peak flowering shifts with altitude and the year, usually from mid-April to late May. Ask your driver to stop at a safe pull-out.
Blood pheasant country
Sikkim's state bird lives here near the tree line, and winter mornings sometimes bring small flocks to the roadside snow. Keep binoculars handy, stay in or beside the car and keep quiet. A local birding guide improves your chances considerably.
Fir, juniper and old forest
Tall silver firs, gnarled junipers and rhododendrons hung with lichen make Kyongnosla one of the most accessible high-altitude forests in Sikkim. In mist the forest is eerie and beautiful; in sun it smells of resin.
Waterfalls on the road
In May and June, snowmelt and early rain send streams and small waterfalls down the cliffs onto the road. They are pretty but can loosen rocks; drivers slow down and keep moving. Photograph them only from safe spots.
Alpine flowers in summer
From May to August the ground flora comes out: primulas, irises, aconites, potentillas and ground orchids. This is also monsoon season, with cloud and landslide risk, so flower lovers should plan carefully and keep spare days.
The story of Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
Where Sikkim's state bird lives outside the park
The blood pheasant, Ithaginis cruentus, is Sikkim's state bird: a plump, crested pheasant whose males are streaked grey with splashes of crimson on the face, throat and tail. It lives in fir and rhododendron forest close to the tree line, moving down in winter snow. Most of its Sikkim range lies inside Khangchendzonga National Park, far from any road. Kyongnosla is different. According to BirdLife's Important Bird Area assessment, the Kyongnosla–Tsomgo–Tamze–Cho La complex is the site outside the national park where the blood pheasant is found, probably in significant numbers. That makes this roadside sanctuary, an hour and a half from the capital, one of the easiest places in India to look for the state bird. The same assessment notes that grazing once used the open areas in summer, until the government banned grazing in forest areas. If you are lucky, a small flock will be scratching in the snow beside the road on a winter morning.
Source: BirdLife International IBA factsheet: Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary–Tsomgo–Tamze–Chola Complex; Wikipedia: Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
Little known
Things most visitors never hear
Kyongnosla was declared a sanctuary in 1977 and is part of WWF's Sacred Himalayan Landscape, a conservation corridor running from Nepal through Sikkim to Bhutan.
Source: Wikipedia: Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
The sanctuary's dense bamboo thickets at lower altitudes are classic red panda habitat, though the animal is shy and rarely seen from the road.
Source: BirdLife IBA factsheet; Sikkim forest department material
Kyongnosla's ground flora includes aconites, potentilla, asters, irises, ground orchids and wild strawberries, flowering mostly from May to August.
Source: BirdLife IBA factsheet
Experiences
Hours worth planning in Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
Kyongnosla lies on the Tsomgo road, so shared Tsomgo and Baba Mandir tours from Gangtok pass through it, for about ₹800–1,200 a seat. Shared tours rarely stop for long in the sanctuary, so they suit casual viewing rather than birding or photography.
Private car
A reserved car for Tsomgo and Baba Mandir costs about ₹4,500–6,500 and lets you stop at safe pull-outs in the sanctuary. For a birding morning, we arrange an early start with a local guide and forest permission. The sanctuary begins about 31 km from Gangtok, roughly 1.5 hours away.
From Bagdogra / NJP
Kyongnosla is reached only from Gangtok, on the protected road to Tsomgo, with permits arranged a day ahead. Spend at least one night in Gangtok first. NH10 from the plains closes in the monsoon; check current status before you travel.
Permits in East Sikkim
Indian travellers need no permit for Gangtok, Rumtek, Lingdum, Martam or Sang. Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir need a protected-area permit through a registered agent, usually filed the day before with ID and photos. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only, about ₹200 per person, usually Wednesday to Sunday. Cho La opened to domestic tourists in September 2025 on limited, escorted trips. Foreigners need the Sikkim restricted area permit, applied online on the e-FRRO portal, and may visit Tsomgo on a one-day pass in a group of two or more. Sikkim also charges a ₹50 tourist fee at hotels. Check current status before you travel.
There is no tourist accommodation inside the sanctuary. Stay in Gangtok and visit on the Tsomgo day trip or on an early birding morning. The Hidden Forest Retreat at Sichey, with its orchid garden, suits nature lovers; Hotel Tibet and The Chumbi Residency are central for early pickups, and Mintokling Guest House and Hotel Sonam Delek suit budget travellers.
Bring binoculars and keep them in your lap, not in the boot; birds appear suddenly near the road.
Ask your driver to stop only at safe pull-outs; Army convoys use this road.
Do not pick flowers or dig up plants; this is a protected area.
Walks off the road need forest department permission and a guide; arrange it in advance.
Mid-April to late May is the safest bet for rhododendrons, but timing varies with the year.
Month by month
When to visit Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
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Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is at 3,300 m. Spend a night lower down first, climb slowly and drink water. Headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest mean go down. The altitude ladder.
It lies on the road from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake, starting about 31 km from Gangtok, and wraps around the area near the lake. It covers about 31 sq km at roughly 3,290–4,120 m. Most visitors pass through it on the Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathu La day trip.
Do we need a separate permit for Kyongnosla?
For the road, no: the Tsomgo protected-area permit covers driving through. For walks into the forest or birding off the road, you need permission from the Sikkim forest department and a local guide. Check current status before you travel; we arrange both on request.
When was Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary established?
It was established in 1977, making it one of Sikkim's older protected areas. It is part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape conservation corridor, and BirdLife lists it, together with Tsomgo and the Cho La area, as an Important Bird Area.
What is the best time to visit Kyongnosla?
Mid-April to late May for rhododendrons, May to August for alpine ground flowers, and November to April for birding, especially the blood pheasant. October and November give the clearest skies. June to September brings monsoon cloud and landslide risk on the road.
Can we trek in Kyongnosla?
Short walks with forest department permission and a local guide are possible, but there are no marked tourist trails. The terrain is steep and high, above 3,000 m, so only fit, acclimatised walkers should try. For longer treks, look at Fambong Lho or the Dzongri route in West Sikkim.
Is Kyongnosla suitable for children?
Seeing it from the car on the Tsomgo trip is fine for children. Long walks at over 3,000 m are not advisable for young children. Keep them warm, give them water and snacks, and watch for signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, vomiting or unusual tiredness.
Which animals live in Kyongnosla?
The sanctuary is habitat for the red panda, Himalayan monal, blood pheasant and other high-altitude birds, as well as smaller mammals. Most animals are shy and rarely seen from the road. Birds are the most visible, especially on early winter mornings with a guide.
How much does a Kyongnosla birding trip cost?
Expect about ₹4,500–6,500 for a reserved car for the Tsomgo road day, plus ₹2,000–3,500 for a local birding guide for a half day, and the usual Tsomgo permit fees of about ₹200–400 per person. Prices are indicative and vary with season.
Is there anywhere to eat in Kyongnosla?
There are a few tea stalls along the Tsomgo road and many more at the lake itself. For early birding trips, carry hot drinks and breakfast from Gangtok. Do not leave food or wrappers in the forest; take all rubbish back with you.
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