Gyalshing district · Theme
Photography in West Sikkim
Kangchenjunga at first light
Photo: Atulbhats · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
In West Sikkim, photography works best in Dzongri and Goecha La, Kanchenjunga Falls, Norbugang and Pelling. We have 4 packages built around it. Sunrise on Kangchenjunga from Pelling or Tashi View Point, the Zuluk loops at dawn, prayer flags at Tsomgo, Rumtek's courtyard in morning light. We plan for the hours that matter and the weather windows that open them.
The mountain shows itself most reliably from October to December and on clear spring mornings. Afternoons cloud over in most seasons, so photography trips start early and rest in the middle of the day.
Drones need permission and are banned near border areas, monasteries and military sites. Ask before photographing people and inside prayer halls.
Places
Where to go
trek
Dzongri a…4,020M
Dzongri and Goecha La
Sikkim's classic trek from Yuksom to the face of Kangchenjunga
waterfall
Kanchenju…1,400M
Kanchenjunga Falls
A tall, two-pronged waterfall on the Pelling–Yuksom road
heritage site
Norbugang1,800M
Norbugang
The stone throne where Sikkim's first king was consecrated in 1642
town
Pelling2,150M
Pelling
West Sikkim's base, facing Kangchenjunga across the Rangeet
monastery
Pemayangt…2,085M
Pemayangtse Monastery
Sikkim's senior Nyingma monastery, home of the Zangdok Palri model
heritage site
Rabdentse…2,000M
Rabdentse Ruins
Forest ruins of the royal capital of Sikkim from 1670
monastery
Sanga Cho…2,200M
Sanga Choeling Monastery
A hilltop monastery dated to 1697, above the Pelling Skywalk
viewpoint
Singshore…1,600M
Singshore Bridge
Sikkim's highest bridge, 240 m across a gorge near Uttarey
monastery
Tashiding1,465M
Tashiding
The heart-shaped hill of chortens and the sacred Bumchu vase
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Trips to start from
Indicative prices per person, twin sharing. Each one can be changed.
Budget
Top4,200M
Dzongri short trek from Yuksom
Yuksom · Dzongri and Goecha La · Yuksom
Budget
Top4,570M
Goecha La trek, group departure
Yuksom · Dzongri and Goecha La · Yuksom
Budget
Top2,200M
Pelling budget escape from NJP
Pelling
Budget
Top2,200M
Pelling and Yuksom on a budget
Pelling · Yuksom
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Hours that fit the theme
Adventure
The Dzongri trek: six nights from NJP
The short version of Sikkim's classic trek: Yuksom to Sachen, Tshoka and Dzongri, a sunrise climb to Dzongri Top over Kabru, Kangchenjunga …
Adventure
Summit day to the Goecha La viewpoint
The long day at the heart of the Goecha La trek: a 3 am start from Lamuney, past Samiti Lake in the …
Nature
Spring trek through the rhododendron belt
Time the Dzongri or Goecha La trek for April and early May, when the forest between Bakhim and Phedang flowers in red, …
Monasteries and shrines
Samiti Lake and the sacred landscape
Pause at Samiti Lake on the way back from the Goecha La viewpoint, a glacial lake sacred to the Bhutia and Lepcha …
Nature
Climb the steps to the falls
Stop at the car park on the Pelling–Yuksom road and climb about 100 steps to the viewing area beneath Kanchenjunga Falls, where …
Culture
Pelling to Yuksom day tour via the falls
The classic full-day tour from Pelling: Rimbi waterfall, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Yuksom's Norbugang throne and Kathok Lake, by private car, …
Nature
Two big falls: Kanchenjunga and Phamrong
From a base in Yuksom, see the district's two best-known big waterfalls in one half day: Kanchenjunga Falls on the Pelling road …
Nature
Photographing the falls in full flow
Photograph Kanchenjunga Falls when it runs fullest, in late August to October, using a tripod and slow shutter for soft water, protecting …
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We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
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Where we would book
Premium
The Elgin Mount Pandim, Pelling
A hotel run by the Elgin group on the ridge just below Pemayangtse Monastery, with lawns that face Kangchenjunga across the Rangeet valley. The …
Premium
The Chumbi Mountain Retreat and Spa
A large resort in Pelling from the group behind The Chumbi Residency in Gangtok, with a spa, several dining options and rooms that face …
Comfort
Norbu Ghang Retreat and Spa
A well-known Pelling resort with wide Kangchenjunga views, a café and a hot stone bath spa. Our usual comfort-tier pick in Pelling when the …
Comfort
Summit Newa Regency, Pelling
A Summit Hotels property on the Pelling–Pemayangtse side of town with a spa and mountain-facing rooms. A solid comfort-tier base a few minutes by …
Budget
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 …
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
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Tell us your dates and your budget
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