Jorethang is a busy market town of about 9,000 people on the Rangeet river at roughly 300 m, 18 km below Namchi. It is the main road junction for West and South Sikkim, with shared jeeps to Siliguri, Pelling and Gangtok, and hosts one of Sikkim's biggest fairs, the Maghe Sankranti mela, around 14 January.
Best months
Oct–Mar; mid-January for the mela
Nights we suggest
0–1
From Gangtok
≈ 95 km · 3.5–4 h
Altitude
≈ 300 m
Known for
Maghe Sankranti mela, road junction, Rangeet river
Permit
Not needed for Indians; foreigners need the Sikkim RAP
Jorethang sits low and warm on the Rangeet, the river that separates Sikkim from Darjeeling district for much of its length. At about 300 m it is one of the lowest towns in the state, with banana and mango trees, warm evenings and summer days that pass 30 °C. A bridge crosses the river to the Darjeeling side, and roads fan out from here to Namchi, Legship, Gyalshing, Pelling and Siliguri. The 2011 census counted 9,009 residents.
For travellers, Jorethang is mainly a junction. Shared jeeps from Siliguri bound for West Sikkim pass through, and its taxi stand sends vehicles to Pelling, Gyalshing, Namchi, Ravangla and Gangtok through the day. When NH10 is closed by monsoon slides, drivers from Siliguri and NJP often come via Darjeeling district down to Jorethang instead, so the town becomes even more important in July and August. Jorethang also has banks, ATMs, pharmacies and fuel, which matter before heading into the villages.
Jorethang has one big moment in the year. On the first day of the Nepali month of Magh, around 14 January, the Maghe Sankranti mela fills the riverbank with stalls, rides, music and families taking a holy dip in the Rangeet. Wikipedia dates the fair to 1961. Outside mela time, stop for an ATM, lunch, fuel and a stroll along the river, then head on into the hills. From Namchi, it is a 40-minute drive down.
Highlights
What to see and do
Maghe Sankranti mela
Around 14 January the riverbank fills with a multi-day fair: stalls, rides, cultural programmes and families taking a dip in the Rangeet. Held since 1961, it is one of the biggest Nepali community festivals in Sikkim. Dates vary slightly; check current status before you travel.
The Rangeet riverfront
Walk down to the river in the late afternoon, when the heat eases and the light turns soft on the water. The Rangeet here is wide and green-blue in winter, brown and powerful in the monsoon, when you should keep well back from the banks.
Jeep junction for the west
Jorethang's taxi stand sends shared jeeps to Pelling, Gyalshing, Legship, Namchi, Ravangla, Gangtok and Siliguri. If you are travelling on a budget between South and West Sikkim, you will almost certainly change vehicles here.
Bazaar lunch stop
The market around the taxi stand has simple eateries serving thali, momos, chowmein and sel roti, plus fruit stalls with local bananas and oranges in season. A practical place for lunch, cash and fuel on long drives.
Up the valley to Legship
The road north along the Rangeet reaches Legship in Gyalshing district in about an hour, where the Kirateshwar Mahadev temple stands by the river. It is the usual road from Jorethang to Pelling.
The story of Jorethang
Maghe Sankranti on the Rangeet since 1961
Maghe Sankranti marks the first day of Magh in the Nepali Vikram Samvat calendar, about 14 January, when the sun enters Makara, Capricorn, and the coldest part of winter starts to turn. Across Nepal and among Nepali-speaking communities in India it is a day for ritual baths at river confluences and for foods such as sesame sweets, yam, sweet potato and ghee. The Wikipedia article on Maghe Sankranti describes these customs, and the article on Jorethang records that the town's Maghe Sankranti mela has been held since 1961 and is one of the main festivals of the Nepali community in Sikkim. Jorethang's site on the Rangeet made it a natural gathering point: families from the villages of South and West Sikkim, and from across the river in Darjeeling district, came down to bathe, trade and meet. Over the decades the mela grew into a multi-day fair with stalls selling farm tools, clothes, handicrafts and food, cultural programmes and amusement rides. Dates and the programme are set each year by the organisers, so check current status before you travel.
The Rangeet, which flows past Jorethang, rises in the mountains of West Sikkim and later joins the Teesta at a confluence known as Tribeni, a popular picnic spot.
Source: Wikipedia: Rangeet River
Wikipedia records Jorethang's literacy rate in the 2011 census as about 88.9 percent, above the Sikkim average of about 81.4 percent at the time.
Source: Census of India 2011, via Wikipedia: Jorethang
Shared jeeps run from Siliguri to Jorethang in about 3.5–4 hours for roughly ₹250–350 a seat, from Namchi in 40 minutes for about ₹50–80, and from Gangtok in 3.5–4 hours for around ₹300–400. Jeeps leave mostly in the morning. Fares are indicative; check current status before you travel.
Private car
A reserved small car from Namchi costs about ₹1,000–1,500 for the 18 km, and from Gangtok about ₹4,000–5,000. Jorethang to Pelling is about 50 km and 2 hours via Legship and Gyalshing, for roughly ₹2,500–3,500 one way.
From Bagdogra / NJP
About 95–100 km and 3.5–4 hours via NH10 to Melli and then along the river, for about ₹4,500–6,000 by reserved car. When NH10 is closed by monsoon slides, the alternative road comes via Darjeeling district straight down to Jorethang.
Indian nationals need no permit anywhere in Namchi district. Foreign nationals need the standard Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, applied online through the e-FRRO portal after arriving in India since 12 January 2026, with approval usually in 24–48 hours; no extra protected-area permit is needed for South Sikkim as we understand it. Sikkim collects a ₹50 per tourist entry fee at hotels, valid 30 days, with under-fives exempt. Forest department rules and fees may apply in Maenam and Kitam sanctuaries. Check current status before you travel.
Jorethang has a few simple budget hotels around the bazaar and taxi stand, with rooms at about ₹1,200–2,000, useful if you arrive late or leave early. We do not list them by name because standards change; ask us for current options. For most travellers we suggest staying in Namchi, 18 km and 40 minutes uphill, where Seven Hill Resort and Sobralia Hotels Casino Resort & Spa offer more comfort, cooler nights and mountain views.
Mainly as a junction and for the Maghe Sankranti mela in mid-January. Jorethang is a practical town for changing jeeps, cash, lunch and fuel, with a pleasant riverfront. Outside mela time, most travellers stop for an hour or two and stay the night in Namchi, 18 km uphill.
How do I get from Siliguri to Jorethang?
Shared jeeps run from Siliguri to Jorethang in about 3.5–4 hours for roughly ₹250–350 a seat, mostly in the morning. A reserved car from NJP or Bagdogra takes 3.5–4 hours and costs about ₹4,500–6,000. When NH10 is closed, vehicles come via Darjeeling district. Check current status before you travel.
How far is Jorethang from Namchi?
About 18 km, roughly 40 minutes by car up a winding road from about 300 m to 1,500 m. Shared jeeps run frequently for about ₹50–80 a seat, and a reserved small car costs about ₹1,000–1,500, indicative. Many travellers sleep in Namchi and visit Jorethang for the mela or a riverside lunch.
How far is Jorethang from Pelling?
About 50 km and 2 hours via Legship and Gyalshing. Shared jeeps to Gyalshing or Pelling cost about ₹150–250 a seat, and a reserved car about ₹2,500–3,500 one way. The road climbs steadily from the warm Rangeet valley to Pelling at about 2,150 m.
When is the Maghe Sankranti mela in Jorethang?
It starts on the first day of the Nepali month of Magh, usually 14 or 15 January, and runs for several days as a fair on the Rangeet riverbank. It has been held since 1961. The organisers announce dates each year, so check current status before you travel.
Is there an ATM in Jorethang?
Yes, several banks have ATMs in Jorethang, and UPI is widely accepted in shops and eateries. It is a good place to withdraw cash before heading to remote villages in West or South Sikkim, where ATMs are scarce and cards rarely work.
What is the weather in Jorethang?
Warm for Sikkim. At about 300 m, winter days are mild at roughly 18–22 °C, and April to September is hot and humid, often over 30 °C. Heavy monsoon rain falls from June to September. Snow never falls here. October to March is the most pleasant time.
Do we need a permit for Jorethang?
Indian nationals need no permit. Foreign nationals need the standard Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, applied online through the e-FRRO portal after arriving in India since January 2026. Jorethang is not a protected area. Check current status before you travel. Hotels collect Sikkim's ₹50 per tourist entry fee at check-in.
What if NH10 is closed on the way to South Sikkim?
NH10 between Sevoke and Melli closes after monsoon slides. The usual alternative for South and West Sikkim is to drive from Siliguri through Darjeeling district down to Jorethang, which adds an hour or two. Our drivers check road news each morning. Check current status before you travel.
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