Sukhia Pokhari

सुखियापोखरी

The market junction where roads split for Mirik and Sandakphu

Altitude2,100m Nights0–1 BestMar – May · Oct – Nov

In brief

Sukhia Pokhari is a hill market town and block headquarters at about 2,100 m, roughly 20 km from Darjeeling via Ghoom. It is the junction for Mirik, Maneybhanjan and the Sandakphu trek, Jorepokhri and Lepchajagat. Stop for momos and market life, the Simana viewpoint into Nepal and cheap shared jeeps in every direction.

The local story

A dry pond at the crossroads of the ridge

The usual reading of the name is plain Nepali: sukhia, dry, and pokhari, pond. Ask which pond, and why it was dry, and you will get different answers; we have not found a written source that settles it. What is clear is the town's job. Sukhia Pokhari sits on the ridge west of Ghoom where the roads split: one runs on to Maneybhanjan and the Singalila Ridge, one down via Simana to Mirik, one to Jorepokhri and the tea gardens. People have changed jeeps, traded and eaten at this junction for as long as the roads have run here.

That makes it a working town rather than a resort. It is the headquarters of a community development block of Darjeeling district, with government offices, schools and a market where farmers from the surrounding villages sell potatoes, vegetables and milk and buy rice, cloth and tools. Trekkers bound for Sandakphu pass through on the way to Maneybhanjan, a short drive on. Indian shoppers head the other way, to the border at Simana and the market at Pashupatinagar in Nepal.

The border is part of its story. The ridge here runs close to Nepal, and the hills of Ilam, known across Nepal for their tea, lie just across. People on both sides share a language, festivals and often family ties, and goods move both ways through Pashupatinagar every day. Standing at Simana, whose name is simply the Nepali word for border, and looking west over a different country, you understand how thin the line on the map feels to the people who live along it.

Sukhia Pokhari's name is usually read as 'dry pond', from Nepali sukhia (dry) and pokhari (pond); locals give different accounts of which pond and why it dried.

Maneybhanjan, the road head for the Singalila Ridge trek to Sandakphu (3,636 m, the highest point in West Bengal), is a short drive beyond Sukhia Pokhari.

Simana, the viewpoint on the Sukhia Pokhari to Mirik road, takes its name from the Nepali word for border and looks into Nepal's Ilam district, known for its tea.

About Sukhia Pokhari

Most people see Sukhia Pokhari through a jeep window on the way to Mirik or Maneybhanjan. That is a pity, because it is one of the best places in the hills to watch ordinary life rather than tourism. The main road is lined with shops, tea stalls and momo kitchens; jeeps load and unload with sacks, schoolchildren and trekkers; and in the mornings farmers come in from the villages with vegetables and leave with rice and cloth. At about 2,100 m it is as cool as Darjeeling and far less crowded.

Use it as a junction and a half-day stop. From here the Simana viewpoint looks into Nepal, Pashupati market is a short ride beyond, the twin ponds of Jorepokhri are 4 km away and Lepchajagat's forest is a few kilometres back toward Ghoom. Trekkers bound for Sandakphu pass through on the way to Maneybhanjan. Shared jeeps are cheap: ₹70–100 to Darjeeling, with similarly small fares onward to Mirik and Maneybhanjan.

What to see and do

The market on the main road

Shops, stalls and small kitchens line the road through town, selling everything from potatoes and greens to blankets, shoes and school bags. Come in the morning, when farmers from the villages are in town, and eat momos at a stall while jeeps load around you.

Simana viewpoint

On the road toward Mirik, Simana, the Nepali word for border, looks west into the Ilam hills of Nepal, with tea gardens and villages on the slopes. Clear mornings from October to April are best, and tea stalls make it an easy 20–30 minute stop.

Pashupati market across the border

Indian citizens with valid photo ID usually cross at Pashupatinagar to shop in Pashupati market for clothes, shoes, blankets and packaged goods. No visa is needed; foreigners generally cannot cross here. Rules and checks change, so check current status before you travel.

Jorepokhri's twin ponds

Four kilometres away, Jorepokhri was declared India's first salamander sanctuary in 1985. Recent reporting says the newts no longer breed in its altered ponds, but the forest setting and the story still make a good short visit or an easy walk.

The road to Maneybhanjan and Sandakphu

Maneybhanjan, the road head for the Singalila Ridge trek to Sandakphu and Phalut, is a short jeep ride on. Many trekkers come through Sukhia, buy last snacks and gloves and carry on. Guides, park entry and Land Rovers are arranged in Maneybhanjan.

Lepchajagat's forest

A few kilometres back toward Ghoom, Lepchajagat's conifer and rhododendron forest gives quiet walks, birds and a dawn view of Kanchenjunga. Combine it with Sukhia on a half-day, or stay there instead for a night in the forest.

How to get there

Shared jeep from Darjeeling: Jeeps for Sukhia Pokhari, Mirik and Maneybhanjan leave from Darjeeling's motor stand through the day, most often in the morning. Sukhia is about 20 km, roughly an hour via Ghoom and Lepchajagat, at ₹70–100 a seat.
Shared jeep via Mirik: From Siliguri, take a shared jeep to Mirik, then a Darjeeling-bound jeep that runs via Simana and Sukhia Pokhari. It is cheaper than a reserved car and a scenic route, though slower with the change. Afternoon jeeps are fewer, so check timings locally.
Reserved car: A car from Darjeeling costs ₹1,500–2,500 for a half-day with Lepchajagat, Jorepokhri and Simana. From NJP or Bagdogra, a reserved car to Sukhia Pokhari costs about ₹3,500–4,500 via Mirik or via Ghoom, around 3–3.5 hours.

Where to stay

Sukhia Pokhari is a market town, not a resort, and most travellers do not sleep here. If you need a bed in town, ask at the jeep stand about simple rooms and look before you pay, because standards vary. For a better night nearby, go 4 km to Jorepokhri Tourist Lodge, run by the GTA beside the twin ponds, or back toward Ghoom to Lepchajagat, where the WBFDC resort and village homestays charge about ₹1,500–2,500 per person with meals. Trekkers usually sleep at Maneybhanjan, a short ride on, before starting for Sandakphu, or come straight from Darjeeling.

Local tips

Arrive in the morning, when the market is busiest and onward jeeps to Mirik and Maneybhanjan run most often.
Carry valid photo ID such as a passport or voter ID if you plan to visit Pashupati market across the border.
Ask the fare before you take a jeep seat; local fares are fixed and other passengers will confirm them.
Buy last-minute trek basics such as gloves, socks and snacks here if you are heading to Maneybhanjan and Sandakphu.
Leave for Darjeeling by mid-afternoon, since shared jeeps thin out toward evening.

02,7005,400

Altitude2,100 m

High enough to feel it on steep stairs. Warm layers from October to March.

What it costs here

Shared jeep Darjeeling to Sukhia Pokhari₹70–100 a seat

Shared jeep onward to Maneybhanjan₹40–70 a seat

Shared jeep onward to Mirik₹80–120 a seat

Local car to Simana and back₹600–1,200

Momos and tea on the main road₹80–150

Rice meal in a local eatery₹120–200

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Oct – Dec · Mar – May
Nights we suggest: 0–1
From Darjeeling: ≈ 20 km · 1 h
From Siliguri: ≈ 75–85 km · 3–3.5 h via Mirik
Altitude: ≈ 2,100 m
Known for: Jeep junction, market, border views
Network: Jio and Airtel good in town

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Sukhia Pokhari

Food · 1.5–2 hoursMarket morning and momos in Sukhia PokhariSukhia Pokhari · ₹150–300 for food Culture and history · 3–4 hoursAcross the border to Pashupati marketSukhia Pokhari · ₹600–1,200 local car + shopping Treks and walks · 2.5–3 hours returnWalk the 4 km to Jorepokhri's twin pondsSukhia Pokhari · Free Treks and walks · Half dayLast market stop before the Singalila RidgeSukhia Pokhari · ₹40–70 jeep seat to Maneybhanjan

On the map

Sukhia Pokhari and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Close by

Nearby places

lake2,250 m Jorepokhriजोरपोखरी Twin ponds, India's first salamander sanctuary and an honest update

forest village2,120 m Lepchajagatलेप्चाजगत A forest village on the Ghoom–Sukhia road, named for the Lepchas

monastery town2,258 m Ghoomघुम The toy train's highest station and a monastery from 1850

hill station2,042 m Darjeelingदार्जिलिङ The thunderbolt town of tea, toy trains and Tenzing

Ways to travel

Solo and backpacking Food trails Treks and walks Long weekends

Questions people ask

Questions about Sukhia Pokhari

How far is Sukhia Pokhari from Darjeeling?

About 20 km, roughly an hour by road via Ghoom and Lepchajagat. Shared jeeps from Darjeeling's motor stand bound for Sukhia, Mirik or Maneybhanjan cost about ₹70–100 a seat. A reserved car for a half-day with Jorepokhri and the Simana viewpoint costs ₹1,500–2,500.

What does Sukhia Pokhari mean?

It is usually read as 'dry pond', from Nepali sukhia, dry, and pokhari, pond. Local people give different explanations of which pond is meant and why it was dry, and we have not found a written source that settles it. You will also see the name written as Sukhiapokhri or Sukhia Pokhri.

Is Sukhia Pokhari worth visiting?

As a stop, yes. It is a real hill market town and the junction for Mirik, Maneybhanjan, Jorepokhri and Lepchajagat. Spend an hour or two in the market, then visit Simana and Jorepokhri. As a place to spend several days it has little to offer; sleep at Lepchajagat or Jorepokhri instead.

How do we get from Sukhia Pokhari to Mirik?

Shared jeeps run from Sukhia toward Mirik through Simana, taking roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, with seats at around ₹80–120. A reserved car costs more but lets you stop at Simana and the tea gardens. Jeeps run most often in the morning, so do not leave it too late in the day.

Can Indians cross into Nepal near Sukhia Pokhari?

Yes, usually. Indian citizens can cross at Pashupatinagar, near the Simana viewpoint on the Mirik road, to visit Pashupati market without a visa, carrying a passport or voter ID. Children may need a school ID or birth certificate. Foreign nationals generally cannot cross here. Check current status before you travel.

Is Sukhia Pokhari on the way to Sandakphu?

Yes. The road from Darjeeling to Maneybhanjan, the start of the Singalila Ridge trek to Sandakphu, passes through Sukhia Pokhari, and Maneybhanjan is a short drive on. Trekkers often stop here for supplies and a meal; guides, park entry and Land Rovers are arranged in Maneybhanjan.

Where can we stay near Sukhia Pokhari?

Few rooms in town are of tourist standard, so most people stay nearby: Jorepokhri Tourist Lodge, run by the GTA, 4 km away by the twin ponds; the WBFDC resort and village homestays at Lepchajagat, a few kilometres back toward Ghoom, at about ₹1,500–2,500 per person with meals; or lodges in Maneybhanjan for trekkers.

What is the weather like in Sukhia Pokhari?

Much like Darjeeling, at about 2,100 m. Winter days are cool and nights near freezing from December to February. Spring, March to May, is mild with some haze. The monsoon, June to September, brings heavy rain and mist. October and November are clear and crisp, the best time to visit.

What is there to eat in Sukhia Pokhari?

Simple, cheap hill food: momos, thukpa, chowmein, aloo dum, rice meals and milky tea in roadside kitchens, with a plate of momos at ₹80–150 and a meal at ₹120–200. Sel roti appears around festivals. For bakeries and cafés wait for Darjeeling or Mirik; Sukhia is about honest local food.