Sports & nature
Pelling acts as a starting point for the Monastery trek which are Pelling to Kechapalari lake (6 hr) - Kechapalari Lake to Yuksum (3-4 hr) - Yuksum to Tashiding (6 Hrs) which follows small local paths as well as the very quiet main road. It is a rewarding 3 day trek, the map (available on vist to Tourist Information Centre - where the staff will provide you with a hand made map on the spot)the paths are poorly marked but the best strategy is to simply ask a local to point you in the right direction. You will never be lost as the countryside is dotted with small villages throughout it.
- Darap Village Amongst the few unexplored areas this village historically known as Therap, meaning flat land, is home to a few of the Limboo people. Tucked away in the interiors of Himalayan belt, this cold, high altitude village has only recently been known to the outside world. Situated at an altitude well over 1,600 m (5,250 ft) above mean sea level, the valley is exposed to temperature variations of -5℃ to 28℃. This makes Darap a storehouse of various rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The Limboo culture is also well preserved in this valley. Darap village is rich in natural resources, bio-diversity and particularly very rich in cultures and customs of local tribes called ‘Limboo'.
Darap is easily accessible as it is well connected with roadways from different corners of Sikkim. The nearest railhead is about 145 km (4.5 hr drive). The nearest airport is about 115 km away and the journey is approximately 5 hr by road.
- Trekking and village walks including observation of rural lifestyle with participation in organic farming activities for those who may be interested.
- Traditional house visits
- Cultural shows and ancient Limboo story telling sessions
- Handicraft making
- Visit the cave at Khanchendzongna National Park
- Bird watching
- Volunteer to assist with community programs
- Fishing at Rimbi An ideal place for fishing is located 2 km away from Darap. Enjoy the day fishing. ‘Assala’ local fish has a very unique taste and is only found in this region.
- Jungle walk-bird watching Darap is situated at the door step of Khanchendzongna Biosphere Reserve (KBR) which is very rich in flora and fauna.
- Local Language Learning: Learn local languages -Limboo, Lepcha (Tribe of Sikkim), Bhutia and Nepali languages or even arrangement can be made to interact with the local school students (share your experiences) with them.
- Limboo Heritage House: Built in 1810 by Limboo Village Chieftain (Mondal). Traditional architecture
- Milking a cow: For those who have grown up in urban areas and wanted to know about rural life.
- Rani dunga Religious and nature trek (Darap to Neydham via Rani Dhunga)
- Singhalilla nature, culture and adventure trek in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
- Trekking into West Sikkim (Darap to Dzongri and the Goecha La)
- Yuma Meditation Centre. Find out about Yuma (goddess).
Buy
You will find small shops selling gift items, maps, postcards, water bottle, from Upper pelling to Lower Pelling. Since Pelling is a tourist destination please be careful you may pay the double of the price.
There is only one bank and one ATM in Pelling, the State Bank of India and it does not exchange foreign currency or travellers cheques. Facilities are available in Siliguri, Darjeeling or Gangtok. It best to carry Rs 100 notes which can be used any where in Pelling.
- Lama Tenzing Wangdak's Place, Upper Pelling. (In Hotel Sonamchen, near to Norbughang Resort). Hand made Tibetan Thangkas and other touristic souvenirs are available here.
Eat
- Melting Point, Middle Pelling (Opposite Namsaling Residency), ☎ +91 95 938 8088, +91 95 9328 9888. Happy hour is 5PM-7PM. Multi cuisine restaurant and bar
- Big Chill, Upper Pelling (Hotel Pemaling Residency - Near School Ground - Old Helipad), ☎ +91 97331 45578, +91 97330 77494. Happy hour is 5PM-7PM. Multi cuisine restaurant and bar.
Drink
There are couple of places where you can eat and drink, They are The Treat, Pork, Deorali, Ladak Restaurant, Hav More and many other small small joints where you will get Momo, Thukpa. You can alos try tongba, a fermented millet wine served in a bamboo container with bamboo straw. The standard price of tingba is Rs 50.
- The Big Chilled, (Opposite Chiminda International). Happy hour 5PM-7PM
Sleep
Home-stay accommodations for tourists are being organized by the ‘Darap Eco-Tourism Committee’ at the houses of committee members. Sikkimise village culture and hospitality is distinctively friendly and open and guests are made to feel as though they are part of family and made welcome to join the village activities with their children, partners or group of friends.
So far, the society has identified 30 houses for Home-stays, out of which six are the operators. Maintenance of other houses is under way.
Pelling's high season is during the months of September and October. Standard room rates vary between Rs 500-800. Rates are more at Upper Pelling and progressively decrease as you approach Lower Pelling. Room rates may be halved during low-season.
Pelling is a small place with almost 80 to 90 hotels.
- '''Hotel Garuda''', ☎ +91 359 258319 (, garuda_pelling@rediffmail.com). Attached restaurant is quite good however the cleanliness of the kitchen may be questionable.
- 'Ladakh Guest House', Opposite of Police Station, Pelling. Beautiful view, very friendly and helpful owners, budget price and a nice library make up for the missing restaurant. Enough food choices available in 2 mins walk. Dorm 150 D 300.
- '''Hill Retreat''', Middle Pelling (Before reaching State Bank of India), ☎ +91 9647786984 (hill.retreat@gmail.com). 7 rooms with a cozy bar, a little bit away from the other buildings. Amar Daju is a good a cook. Booking accepted by email.
- Hotel The Panorama (ecolodgepelling@gmail.com), lower pelling (near Magnolia lodge, 50 feet down from SBI bank), ☎ +919735038441. checkin: 12; checkout: 11. ecolodgepelling@gmail.com, Hotel panorama is a budget hotel and is for the traveler who is looking for a place which is clean, convenient, with good ethnic based food as well as Indian. It is for the conscious traveler who is looking for convenience, comfort, with stunning views of the mountain at a reasonable rate. 800 - 1200.
