Aritar is a farming village at about 1,400 m in Pakyong district, about 67 km from Gangtok, built around Lampokhari Lake, the only lake in Sikkim equipped for boating. It has an 1895 dak bungalow, a Kagyu gumpa, the Rai temple at Mankhim above and no protected-area permit. It is a gentle first night before the Silk Route.
Best months
Mar–May and Oct–Dec; pleasant all year
Nights we suggest
1–2
From Gangtok
≈ 67–70 km · 3 h
Altitude
≈ 1,400 m (sources give 1,400–1,500 m)
Known for
Lampokhari boating lake, 1895 dak bungalow, Mankhim
Aritar sits on a broad shelf above the Rangpo valley, close to the Sikkim and West Bengal border near Reshi. Wikipedia places it 67 km from Gangtok, 52 km from Kalimpong and 40 km from Pakyong, and gives its height as about 1,400 m. That is warm enough to be comfortable in every month and low enough that almost nobody gets altitude headaches. Paddy terraces, cardamom under shade trees and scattered farmhouses surround the lake.
The lake is Lampokhari. Wikipedia describes it as one of the oldest natural lakes in Sikkim and the only one set up for boating. A footpath circles the shore in about 45 minutes, and there are paddle boats at a small fee. Above it stand the old dak bungalow known as Ari Bangla, Aritar Gumpa of the Kagyu order and a Shiva temple that draws pilgrims in the month of Sawan.
Aritar is outside the Silk Route protected area, so friends who cannot go on to Zuluk can still join you here. Many travellers use it as the low first night before Rongli, Padamchen and Zuluk, and it is also a good quiet weekend on its own. Check current status of roads before you travel, because the approach from NH10 is affected by monsoon slides.
Highlights
What to see and do
Lampokhari Lake
A narrow natural lake at about 1,400 m with paddle boats and rowing boats, and a shore path of roughly 45 minutes. Early morning is calmest. Boat fees are usually a few hundred rupees at most; check at the counter.
Ari Bangla dak bungalow
The 1895 rest house built by Claude White, now a government rest house. You can see it from outside and walk the compound edge. Inside access depends on bookings and permission.
Aritar Gumpa
A Kagyu monastery above the lake with murals and old icons. It is the main Buddhist temple for the lower Silk Route villages and the setting for Losar prayers. Dress modestly, remove shoes and ask before photographing.
Mankhim hilltop temple
The Kirat Rai temple at about 1,980 m, a 30 minute drive up. Wide views over the Rangpo valley and, on clear mornings, the snow peaks. It is a place of worship, so behave as you would at any temple.
Cardamom and village walks
Farm lanes around the lake pass large cardamom under alder shade, maize and vegetable plots. Walks of 1 to 3 hours are easy, and a local guide for a few hundred rupees will show you the safe paths.
Waterfalls on the Rongli road
Kali Khola falls and Changey falls are named in Wikipedia's Aritar article. They are fullest in and after the monsoon, when roads are also at their riskiest, so go only in settled weather.
The story of Aritar
Claude White's rest house of 1895
Aritar lies on the old line between Kalimpong and the Tibet passes, and its oldest building shows why. Wikipedia's article on Aritar says the dak bungalow, known as Ari Bangla, was built in 1895 by Claude White, the first Political Officer of Sikkim under British rule. It served as a rest house for officials and traders on the way to Rongli, Zuluk and Jelep La, a day's march from Kalimpong. The same article records that Sikkim's first treasury was built in the same compound, and that Sikkim Police was raised here, with its first outpost working from 1897. Jelep La, the pass at the end of the road, carried wool and fur trade between Tibet and India through the British period, with Kalimpong as the contact point. A rest house at Aritar fitted that pattern: mule trains and clerks needed a roof every few hours of walking. The bungalow is a government rest house, so going inside depends on bookings and permission. Seeing it from the lakeside path, with the Rhenock hills behind, is enough to place Aritar on the trade road.
Source: Wikipedia: Aritar, Sikkim; Wikipedia: Jelep La
Little known
Things most visitors never hear
Wikipedia's Aritar article lists Lampokhari as the only boat-ready lake in Sikkim, and Changey waterfall, about 50 m high, near the lake. It also mentions the Kali Khola falls, about 100 m high, on the Rorathang to Rongli road.
Source: Wikipedia: Aritar, Sikkim
Aritar is one of the hamlets named inside Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary's description, a 124 km2 protected area set up in 2002 that runs from the lower hills up to about 4,390 m.
Source: Wikipedia: Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
Aritar Gumpa is described as a monastery of the Kagyu order, considered among the oldest and holiest in Sikkim, with carved and painted murals and manuscripts. Opening hours and access vary, so ask locally first.
Shared jeeps run from Gangtok and Siliguri to Rhenock, about ₹250–400 a seat from Gangtok. From Rhenock, a local vehicle covers the last 10 km or so to Aritar, usually ₹150–300 a seat or a short hire. Timings are loose and last vehicles go early, so check current status before you travel.
Private car
From Gangtok it is about 67–70 km and 3 hours via Ranipool, Pakyong and Rorathang. A reserved small car costs about ₹3,500–5,000 one way, depending on season. Drivers who know the Silk Route will also have the Rongli permit routine in hand for the next day.
From Bagdogra / NJP
About 110–115 km and 4–4.5 hours via Sevoke, Rangpo and Rorathang. NH10 can close after monsoon landslides; the alternative is Siliguri to Kalimpong, Pedong and Reshi, which is longer but scenic. Pakyong Airport has no scheduled flights, so plan on Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP.
The upper Silk Route beyond Rongli, including Lingtam, Padamchen, Zuluk, Thambi View Point, Nathang and Kupup, is a protected area open to Indian nationals only. The permit is processed at Rongli for named people, dates and a vehicle, usually through a registered agent, driver or homestay; carry original photo ID, copies and two passport photos. Foreign nationals, including OCI holders, are not allowed beyond Rongli, but Aritar, Mankhim, Rhenock, Rorathang, Rangpo and Pakyong town need only the general Sikkim entry permit. For Rolep, ask us. Check current status before you travel.
Most families choose a lakeside or bazaar homestay; our aritar-lake-homestays listing covers the better ones at about ₹1,500–2,500 per person with meals. Lampokhari Village Resort at Dalapchand is a step up with private rooms and parking, at roughly ₹4,000–6,000 a room. For hill views, Mankhim hill homestays sit at about 1,900–2,000 m. Weekend lakeside rooms fill first, so book ahead and confirm what is included. Aritar needs no permit, so it also works as a base for guests who cannot go further up the Silk Route.
Yes, for one or two quiet nights. It has a boating lake, a gumpa, an 1895 dak bungalow and Mankhim above, all within a few kilometres. It needs no permit and sits at a comfortable 1,400 m. It is not a sightseeing rush, so go for walks, food and village life.
How far is Aritar from Gangtok?
About 67–70 km, usually 3 hours by road via Ranipool, Pakyong and Rorathang. Wikipedia gives 67 km. In the monsoon, NH10 and side roads can have slides, so add time and check current status before you travel.
Do we need a permit for Aritar?
No. Aritar is outside the protected area. The Silk Route permit is issued at Rongli for places beyond, such as Padamchen, Zuluk and Nathang, and is for Indian nationals only. The Sikkim entry fee of ₹50 per tourist is collected by hotels at check-in; check current status before you travel.
Can foreigners visit Aritar?
Foreign visitors with the Restricted Area Permit for Sikkim can generally visit Aritar, because it is outside the protected-area belt. They cannot go on to Zuluk. Rules can change, so ask us and check current status before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Aritar?
October to December for clear views and dry roads, and March to May for greenery and warm days. The monsoon, from late June to mid-September, is lush but wet, with leeches and landslide risk. Winter is cold in the mornings but has no snow at this height.
Is boating at Lampokhari safe?
With lifejackets and supervision, yes. Operators change from season to season, so check the counter and ask for lifejackets, especially for children. Boats may pause in heavy rain. Do not swim in the lake. Check current status before you travel.
Where can we eat in Aritar?
Most guests eat at their homestay, where meals are simple Sikkimese and Nepali food: rice, dal, greens, seasonal vegetables, chicken or pork curry and momos on request. A few small restaurants near the lake and bazaar serve tea, noodles and momos. Vegetarian meals are easy to get.
Is Aritar good for families with small children?
Yes, because it is warm and low. The lake path is easy and nothing is high. Watch children near the water and the unrailed edges of the path. Heavy monsoon rain makes paths slippery. Note that Sikkim restricts children under 5 in North Sikkim protected areas, which does not apply here.
How many nights should we stay in Aritar?
One night works as a stop before the Silk Route. Two nights lets you do the lake at dawn, Mankhim at sunrise and a village walk without hurry. Three nights suits slow travellers who want to explore Rhenock, Rorathang and the waterfalls as well.
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