Adventure · Sanga Choeling Monastery
The steep climb to Sanga Choeling
A short, steep forest climb from the Chenrezig statue to one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, rewarded with silence, prayer flags and a view over Pelling to Pemayangtse.
Photo: walter callens · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The path starts near the Chenrezig statue and climbs steadily on stone steps and earth trail through oak and rhododendron forest, lined with prayer flags. Most people take 30–40 minutes; fit walkers are faster. There are a few places to rest and look back over Pelling.
The monastery sits on the crest of the ridge. It is usually quiet, with perhaps a caretaker monk or a few villagers. Walk clockwise around the buildings, and ask if the main hall can be opened. Inside are clay statues dated to the 17th century.
Come down the same way, carefully, as the steps are steep. In spring the rhododendrons along the path flower red and pink; in autumn and winter the view to Kangchenjunga from the top is often clear in the morning.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
How long does it take to climb to Sanga Choeling?
About 30–40 minutes up from the Chenrezig statue and Skywalk area for most people, and 20–30 minutes down. Allow 1.5–2 hours in total with time at the monastery. The path is steep, with stone steps and earth sections that are slippery after rain.
Is the Sanga Choeling climb safe for children?
Fit children over about 7 usually manage it with breaks and an adult close by. The steps are steep and uneven, with drops beside the path in places, so hold hands on the steeper sections. Avoid it in heavy rain.
Is there a road to Sanga Choeling Monastery?
A road reaches the Chenrezig statue and Skywalk at the foot of the ridge. The final stretch to the old monastery is on foot. Check locally whether any newer access has opened, as road works are ongoing in the area.
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