Sombaria is a small bazaar town at about 1,500 m in western Soreng district, roughly 30 km above Jorethang and 14 km below Okhrey. It is where shared jeeps end and reserved cars take over for Okhrey and Hilley. Stop for cash, supplies and a meal, a farm visit, or an early start for Barsey.
Best months
March–May and October–December
Nights we suggest
0–1
From Gangtok
≈ 120–125 km · 5–5.5 h via Jorethang
Altitude
≈ 1,500 m
Known for
Jeep hub and last bazaar for Okhrey, Hilley and Barsey
Permit
Not needed for Indians; foreigners need Sikkim's RAP (e-FRRO)
About Sombaria
What to know before you go
Sombaria sits on the road that climbs west from Jorethang through Tharpu and Daramdin towards the Singalila ridge. At about 1,500 m it is the last real bazaar before Okhrey, 14 km further up, and Hilley, the gate to the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, 22 km away. The district administration counts it among the important towns of Soreng district, and for travellers it is above all a transport hub: shared jeeps from Jorethang and Siliguri end here, and most people reserve a local car for the last stretch.
The bazaar is a single busy street of shops, eateries, a bank and the jeep stand, with farms spreading down the slopes on both sides. Wikipedia's list of State Bank of Sikkim branches includes Sombaria, which matters because Okhrey and Hilley have no reliable cash machines. Buy what you need here: snacks for the trail, a rain cover, batteries and cash for homestays.
Few people stay the night, and we would not plan a holiday around Sombaria. But it is a pleasant place to pause, with orange and cardamom farms below the road, a downhill walk to Daramdin and, on clear mornings, the Singalila ridge ahead. If you arrive late from Siliguri, a night here makes an early start for Barsey practical, since Hilley is under an hour away by car.
Highlights
What to see and do
Last stop for cash and supplies
Sombaria has a bank, shops and pharmacies, and Okhrey and Hilley have little of either. Draw cash for homestays, buy trail snacks, batteries and a rain cover, and fill your water bottles. It saves a long drive back if something runs out in Okhrey.
Jeep stand and car hire
Shared jeeps from Jorethang and some from Siliguri end in Sombaria. From here, reserve a local car for Okhrey, 14 km away, for about ₹700–1,000, or for Hilley, 22 km away, for about ₹1,000–1,500. Drivers wait at the stand from morning until mid-afternoon.
Orange and cardamom farms
The slopes below the road are farms of maize, vegetables, oranges around houses and large cardamom in the shade of alder trees. From November to January oranges ripen; cardamom is picked from about August to October. Ask in the bazaar for a farmer happy to show visitors round.
Downhill walk to Daramdin
Walk about 7 km down the road and village short-cuts from Sombaria to Daramdin, losing roughly 550 m, past farms and the village of Ambotey. Two hours is enough, and a jeep or your car can collect you at the bottom.
Early start for Barsey
Hilley, the start of the 4–5 km walk to the Barsey ridge, is about 22 km and under an hour from Sombaria. Sleeping here when you arrive late from Siliguri lets you reach the trail soon after dawn, before the cloud rises.
Village football
Sanju Pradhan, who played for India, grew up here watching villagers play. In the dry months, local grounds across Soreng district host tournaments that draw crowds from nearby villages. If a match is on as you pass, stop and watch.
The story of Sombaria
The footballer from Sombaria
Sombaria's best-known son is a footballer. Wikipedia records that Sanju Pradhan was born on 11 March 1989 in Sombaria, to a Newar family, and that he learned to love the game by watching people in his village play in their free time. His school had no team, so he played for others, then went to the "Search for more Bhaichungs" trials at the West Sikkim district headquarters. He was picked as one of 30 boys from the statewide trial in Gangtok and in April 1999 joined the Namchi Sports Hostel football academy, later moving to the Sports Academy of Sikkim. He went on to play for leading Indian clubs, won the Federation Cup in 2009–10 and 2012, and represented India. Football is played with real passion across Sikkim, and village grounds fill for local tournaments in the dry months. If you see a match on the way through Sombaria, it is worth stopping to watch.
Source: Wikipedia: Sanju Pradhan
Little known
Things most visitors never hear
Sombaria takes its name from Sombar, the Nepali word for Monday. As told locally, it points to an old weekly market day; Mangalbarey, Tuesday, is named the same way.
Source: Nepali weekday names; as told locally
Indian international footballer Sanju Pradhan, a Federation Cup winner in 2009–10 and 2012, was born in Sombaria in 1989 and first learned the game watching villagers play.
Source: Wikipedia: Sanju Pradhan
Wikipedia's list of State Bank of Sikkim branches in Soreng district includes Sombaria, which makes it the last dependable place to bank before Okhrey and Hilley.
Shared jeeps run from Jorethang to Sombaria through the morning, about 1.5 hours for roughly ₹100–150 a seat, and a few run direct from Siliguri. From Siliguri otherwise take a jeep to Jorethang (3.5–4 hours, ₹250–350) and change. Jeeps also link Sombaria with Soreng and Daramdin.
Private car
Sombaria is about 30 km from Jorethang via Nayabazar, Tharpu and Daramdin, about 16 km from Soreng, 14 km below Okhrey and 22 km below Hilley. From Gangtok, allow 5–5.5 hours for about 120–125 km via Melli and Jorethang, roughly ₹5,500–6,500 by small car.
From Bagdogra / NJP
Sombaria is roughly 115–125 km from Bagdogra and NJP, 4.5–5 hours by car via Sevoke, Melli and Jorethang, about ₹4,500–6,000 for a small car. NH10 along the Teesta closes after monsoon slides, when drivers go via Kalimpong or Darjeeling. Check current status before you travel.
Permits in Soreng
Indian travellers need no special permit anywhere in Soreng district. You pay Sikkim's ₹50 tourist fee, collected by your hotel or homestay and valid 30 days, and an entry ticket at the Hilley checkpost for the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, about ₹50 for Indians. Foreign nationals need Sikkim's Restricted Area Permit, which since 12 January 2026 is applied for online on the e-FRRO portal after arriving in India, with approval in 24–48 hours. Foreigners pay a higher Barsey entry fee. Check current status before you travel.
Sombaria has a few simple lodges and homestays used mainly by people in transit, at about ₹1,000–2,000 per person; standards vary, so look at the room first. We usually plan around it instead: the Sherpa homestays of Okhrey, 14 km up the road, cost about ₹1,200–2,000 per person with meals and are far nicer, and Hilley's small homestays put you at the Barsey trailhead. Lower down, Daramdin has village homestays and Soreng town has budget hotels such as The Orchid Hotel.
Sombaria is in the west of Soreng district, which was part of West Sikkim until December 2021. It lies about 30 km above Jorethang on the road through Tharpu and Daramdin, about 16 km from Soreng town, and 14 km below Okhrey. Hilley and the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary are 22 km away.
Is Sombaria worth a stop?
As a stop, yes: it is the last bazaar with a bank, shops and a jeep stand before Okhrey and Hilley. As a destination, not really; there are no major sights. Most travellers eat, buy supplies and move on, or sleep here only when arriving late.
How do I get from Sombaria to Okhrey?
Reserve a local car at the Sombaria stand for the 14 km to Okhrey, about ₹700–1,000, or ask whether a shared jeep is going up. The drive takes about 30–40 minutes. Agree the fare before loading bags, and travel before dark if you can.
How do I reach Sombaria from Siliguri?
By shared jeep, a few run direct from Siliguri in the morning; otherwise go to Jorethang (3.5–4 hours, ₹250–350) and change for Sombaria (about 1.5 hours, ₹100–150). By car, allow 4.5–5 hours via Melli and Jorethang. NH10 closes after monsoon slides; check current status before you travel.
What does the name Sombaria mean?
Sombar is the Nepali word for Monday, and as told locally the name points to an old weekly market day. Mangalbarey, the subdivision headquarters in the east of the district, is named the same way after Mangalbar, Tuesday. Market days may have changed since, so ask locally.
Are there hotels in Sombaria?
There are a few simple lodges and homestays used mostly by people in transit, at about ₹1,000–2,000 per person. Look at the room before paying. For a better night, go on to Okhrey's Sherpa homestays, 14 km up, or stay in Daramdin or Soreng lower down.
Do I need a permit for Sombaria or Barsey?
Indian nationals need no special permit for Sombaria, only the ₹50 Sikkim tourist fee collected by accommodation and an entry ticket for the Barsey sanctuary at Hilley. Foreign nationals need Sikkim's Restricted Area Permit from the e-FRRO portal. Check current status before you travel.
What is the weather like in Sombaria?
At about 1,500 m, Sombaria has mild days of 15–25 °C for much of the year and cool winter nights of about 3–6 °C. June to September brings heavy rain and occasional landslides. Clouds build quickly in the afternoon, so mornings are best for views.
Is there mobile signal in Sombaria?
Usually yes in the bazaar, with patchier coverage on the road above towards Okhrey and Hilley and inside the Barsey sanctuary. Download maps, tickets and any booking details in Sombaria, and tell someone your plans before heading up to Hilley.
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