West Sikkim · Road guide
Pelling to Yuksom
Pelling to Yuksom is about 40 km and 2 hours, past Darap, the Rimbi river and the Kanchenjunga Falls. Most travellers make it a full day with Khecheopalri Lake; staying a night in Yuksom is better.
Photo: Kothanda Srinivasan · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Your options
How to make the trip
Shared jeep
2–2.5 h · ≈ ₹150–250 a seat
Shared jeeps run between Gyalshing, Pelling and Yuksom a few times a day, mostly in the morning and early afternoon. Seats fill with villagers, school students and trekkers' porters. Ask at the Upper Pelling junction or your hotel the evening before for timings. The last jeep back from Yuksom leaves early afternoon.
Private car
1.5–2 h · ≈ ₹2,500–3,500 one way; ₹3,500–5,000 full-day loop
A reserved car lets you stop at Rimbi, the Kanchenjunga Falls and the turn-off to Khecheopalri Lake. The standard 'Yuksom tour' from Pelling covers the lake, the falls, Norbugang and Kathok Lake and returns in the evening. A one-way drop is cheaper if you are staying in Yuksom.
Fares are indicative. Landslides, snow and check-post timings change journeys: check current status before you travel.
On the way
Stops worth the time
- Darap village
- Rimbi waterfall and river
- Khecheopalri Lake (side road)
- Kanchenjunga Falls
Do Yuksom as an overnight rather than a rushed day trip; Norbugang and Dubdi deserve the time.
Questions travellers ask
Pelling to Yuksom: questions
How far is Yuksom from Pelling?
About 40 km by road, 1.5–2 hours by car. The road passes Darap, crosses the Rimbi river and runs past the Kanchenjunga Falls. Adding the 30-minute side road to Khecheopalri Lake makes a full-day loop of 6–8 hours with stops. Roads are narrow and steep in places.
Can I do Pelling to Yuksom and back in one day?
Yes. A full-day tour from Pelling covers Khecheopalri Lake, the Kanchenjunga Falls, Norbugang and Kathok Lake for indicatively ₹3,500–5,000 per car. You will not have time for the one-hour walk up to Dubdi Monastery, so stay a night in Yuksom if Dubdi matters to you.
Is there public transport from Pelling to Yuksom?
Shared jeeps link Gyalshing, Pelling and Yuksom a few times a day, indicatively ₹150–250 a seat. They leave mostly in the morning, and the last return from Yuksom is usually early afternoon. Timings change, so ask at the Upper Pelling taxi stand the day before.
Is the Pelling–Yuksom road safe in the monsoon?
It stays open most of the year, but heavy rain from June to September brings slides and slippery stretches, and the waterfalls run at full force. Travel in daylight, use a local driver and keep a spare half day. Check current status before you travel.
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