Budget hotel · Pelling
Hotel Garuda, Pelling
Pelling's long-standing backpacker favourite in Upper Pelling, near the helipad viewpoint, with good-value rooms, Kangchenjunga views from the terraces and a restaurant serving Sikkimese food.
Photo: Santanu Paul · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pelling's long-standing backpacker favourite in Upper Pelling, near the helipad viewpoint, with good-value rooms, Kangchenjunga views from the terraces and a restaurant serving Sikkimese food.
Hotel Garuda is a budget classic in Upper Pelling, listed in guidebooks for years. Rooms are simple and fairly priced, the common terraces face Kangchenjunga, and the restaurant serves Sikkimese and Indian dishes. Staff help with shared jeep timings and sightseeing cars, which saves budget travellers a lot of asking around.
We use it for budget journeys and solo travellers. The helipad viewpoint, with one of the widest views in Pelling, is about 10 minutes' walk away. Upper rooms cost more and have better windows. Rates are a band and climb in October, late December and May. Check current status before you travel.
Why we book it
What it does well
- Budget rooms with terrace views of Kangchenjunga
- Ten minutes' walk to the helipad viewpoint
- Help with shared jeeps and sightseeing cars
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Hotel Garuda, Pelling
Is Hotel Garuda in Upper Pelling?
Yes, it is in Upper Pelling near the main junction, where shared jeeps arrive and leave. The helipad viewpoint is about a 10-minute walk, and cafes and shops are close. Pemayangtse and Rabdentse are a short taxi ride away, and the Chenrezig statue and Skywalk about 15 minutes by car.
How do I get to Pelling on a budget?
Take a shared jeep from Gangtok or Siliguri to Gyalshing, indicatively ₹350–500 from Gangtok and ₹500–650 from Siliguri, then a shared or reserved local taxi for the last 10 km to Pelling. A few jeeps run direct to Pelling, mostly in the morning. Book the day before in peak season. Check current status before you travel.
Does Hotel Garuda arrange sightseeing?
Staff can arrange local cars for the standard Pelling sightseeing loops, such as a half-day round of Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, the Skywalk and Sanga Choeling, or a full day to Khecheopalri, the waterfalls and Yuksom. Indicative rates are ₹2,500–3,500 for a half day and ₹3,500–5,000 for a full day per car.
Packages
Trips that use this stay
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Pelling and Yuksom on a budget
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Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
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