Tendong Hill is a forested summit of about 2,600 m between Namchi and Ravangla, sacred to the Lepcha people, who believe it saved their ancestors from a great flood. A well-used trail climbs about 5–6 km from Damthang in 2.5–3 hours to a summit watchtower with wide Himalayan views.
Lepcha nameTendongMeans: the hill of the raised hornSource: EastMojo, Tendong Lho Rum Faat feature (2022)
Best months
Oct–Dec and Mar–Apr
Nights we suggest
Stay in Namchi or Ravangla
From Gangtok
≈ 70 km to Damthang · 3 h
Altitude
≈ 2,600 m (summit)
Known for
Lepcha flood legend, summit views, forest trail
Permit
Not needed
About Tendong Hill
What to know before you go
Tendong is the long, wooded ridge you see east of the Namchi–Ravangla road, its summit rising to about 2,600 m. For most travellers it is a fine half-day walk through oak, rhododendron and bamboo to a viewpoint where the whole of Sikkim seems to unfold: Kangchenjunga and its neighbours to the north-west, the Darjeeling hills to the south and, on very clear days, the plains of Bengal.
For the Lepcha, Sikkim's earliest inhabitants, Tendong is much more. Lepcha tradition says that when a great flood covered the land, their ancestors climbed this hill and it rose like a horn to keep them above the water. Every 8 August, Lepchas mark Tendong Lho Rum Faat, the prayer to Tendong, a state holiday in Sikkim.
The usual start is Damthang, a roadside village at about 2,030 m on the road between Namchi and Ravangla. The trail gains roughly 570 m, is clear and mostly shaded, and suits anyone of reasonable fitness. A small Buddhist shrine and a watchtower stand on the top. Go early: by midday clouds often build around the summit.
Highlights
What to see and do
Summit watchtower view
From the tower on top, look north-west to Kangchenjunga, Kabru and Pandim, east towards Gangtok's ridges and south to the Darjeeling hills. October to December mornings give the cleanest horizon.
Forest trail from Damthang
About 5–6 km one way through oak, rhododendron, magnolia and bamboo, mostly shaded and well trodden. It gains roughly 570 m. Most walkers take 2.5–3 hours up and 1.5–2 down.
A sacred Lepcha summit
Tendong is the hill of the Lepcha flood legend, honoured every 8 August at Tendong Lho Rum Faat. Walking it with that story in mind changes the experience; treat the summit shrine with respect.
Spring rhododendrons
In March and April rhododendrons flower along the upper trail in reds and pinks. Combined with birdsong and clear mornings, spring is our second favourite season after the post-monsoon.
Birds of the mid-hills
The forest holds laughingthrushes, barbets, minivets, sibias and, with luck, pheasants near the top. A guide who knows the calls makes a big difference.
The story of Tendong Hill
The flood, the horn and the nine stones
Lepcha oral tradition, retold each year around Tendong Lho Rum Faat, describes a time when the sources of the rivers were destroyed and rain fell for forty days. The water rose through the valleys of the Teesta and the Rangeet, drowning villages and fields. The Lepcha ancestors fled uphill, and Tendong rose like a horn from the head of a deity, lifting them clear of the flood. They prayed on its summit until the water fell, and the hill has been honoured as their saviour ever since; the name is often translated as the hill of the raised horn. In remembrance, families make a small model of the holy mountain with nine stones and worship it, and the festival is marked with prayers, songs and masked dances. Sikkim observes 8 August as a state holiday for Tendong Lho Rum Faat, and many Lepcha groups walk to the summit for prayers on or around that day. Versions of the story vary between families and villages; we tell it as recorded in published accounts.
Source: Wikipedia: Tendong Lho Rumfaat; EastMojo (2022, 2025) festival reports
Little known
Things most visitors never hear
Sikkim observes 8 August as a state holiday for Tendong Lho Rum Faat, the Lepcha prayer to Tendong Hill.
Source: Wikipedia: Tendong Lho Rumfaat
During the festival some Lepcha families build a small model of the holy mountain from nine stones and worship it at home.
Source: EastMojo (2022)
Tendong and Maenam form the north–south ridge that divides the Teesta and Rangeet valleys through the middle of the district.
Source: Sikkim Forest Department via Maenam WLS descriptions
Shared jeeps between Namchi and Ravangla pass through Damthang; ask to be dropped at the Tendong trailhead. The fare is roughly ₹50–100 from either town. For the return, flag down a passing jeep in the afternoon, though seats are not guaranteed after 3 pm.
Private car
Damthang is about 40 minutes from Namchi and 30 minutes from Ravangla. A car drop and pick-up with waiting costs about ₹1,500–2,500. From Gangtok, the trailhead is roughly 70 km and 3 hours, so a same-day walk from Gangtok is long.
From Bagdogra / NJP
About 120 km and 4.5 hours to Damthang via Melli and Namchi. Sleep in Namchi or Ravangla first and walk the next morning. If NH10 is closed after monsoon slides, drivers route through Darjeeling district and Jorethang.
Permits in South Sikkim
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.
There is nowhere to sleep on the hill. Stay in Ravangla, 30 minutes away, where Mt. Narsing Village Resort and The Barfung Retreat suit value and comfort budgets, or in Namchi, 40 minutes away, at Seven Hill Resort or Sobralia. Budget travellers will find simple hotels in both towns from about ₹1,500 a room. Start the walk by 7–8 am for the best views.
Start from Damthang by 7–8 am; summit cloud usually builds by midday.
Carry water and snacks: there are no shops on the trail.
Leeches are common from June to September; wear long socks and carry salt.
Treat the summit shrine as a place of prayer, not a picnic table.
If you visit around 8 August, expect Lepcha groups and prayers on the summit.
Month by month
When to visit Tendong Hill
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BestGoodAvoid or closed
Tendong Hill is at 2,600 m. Spend a night lower down first, climb slowly and drink water. Headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest mean go down. The altitude ladder.
About 5–6 km one way from Damthang, gaining roughly 570 m to the summit at about 2,600 m. Most walkers take 2.5–3 hours up and 1.5–2 hours down, so plan for a 5–6 hour round trip with breaks. Start early for the best views.
What is the story of Tendong Hill?
Lepcha tradition holds that during a great flood, their ancestors climbed Tendong and the hill rose like a horn to keep them safe. They prayed on its summit until the water fell. The Lepcha mark this every 8 August with Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a state holiday in Sikkim.
What is the best time to trek Tendong?
October to December for clear Himalayan views, and March to April for rhododendrons and birds. Winter (January–February) is cold but often clear. June to August is the monsoon, with slippery paths, leeches and clouds; avoid it unless you are going for the festival.
Can children do the Tendong trek?
Children over about 8 who are used to walking usually manage well, especially with a guide and plenty of breaks. The path is clear and mostly shaded. Younger children can be carried part way. Turn back if anyone tires; there is no shame in a halfway picnic.
What can we see from Tendong summit?
On clear days, Kangchenjunga, Kabru, Pandim and the peaks of West Sikkim to the north-west, ridges towards Gangtok to the north-east, the Darjeeling hills to the south and the Teesta and Rangeet valleys below. A watchtower on top helps you see over the trees.
Is there an entry fee for Tendong Hill?
We are not aware of a regular entry fee for walking the trail at the time of writing. Some forest areas in Sikkim charge small fees or require registration; rules change. Check current status before you travel. Guides and transport are your main costs.
Where should we stay for the Tendong trek?
Ravangla (30 minutes from Damthang) or Namchi (40 minutes). Ravangla is closer and pairs well with Buddha Park and Ralang. Namchi has more hotels and pairs with Samdruptse and Char Dham. Either way, leave by 7 am to be on the trail early.
Do we need a permit for Tendong?
No special permit is needed for Indians. Foreign nationals need the standard Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, applied online through e-FRRO, but no extra protected-area permit for Tendong. Check current status before you travel.
Can we combine Tendong with Temi tea garden?
Yes. Walk Tendong in the morning and drive on to Temi for an afternoon in the tea estate, roughly 1–1.5 hours by road depending on the route your driver takes. Spend the night at Temi or return to Ravangla or Namchi.
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