Treks and walks · Sukhia Pokhari
Walk the 4 km to Jorepokhri's twin ponds
A 4 km road walk from Sukhia Pokhari's market to the twin ponds of Jorepokhri, through forest and past tea, with the honest story of India's first salamander sanctuary at the end. About an hour each way at an easy pace.
Most people drive to Jorepokhri. Walking is better. The road from Sukhia Pokhari runs about 4 km through mixed forest and along the edge of the tea, with little traffic and long views over the ridges when the cloud allows. It climbs gently for much of the way, so the outward walk takes about an hour and the return a little less. You pass village houses, small shrines and the odd tea shop, and you arrive at the ponds warm, which helps at about 2,250 m.
At the ponds, walk the short path around both pools and read the boards about the Himalayan salamander. Jorepokhri was declared India's first salamander sanctuary in 1985. Be clear about what you will not see: according to 2026 reporting by Mongabay, concrete paving and tourist works have changed the ponds so much that the newts no longer breed here. The setting is still quiet and green, and the lesson about how good intentions can damage a habitat stays with you.
Start mid-morning, after the market, and carry water and a rain jacket, because mist can roll in by noon. Walk on the outer edge of the road and keep children close, as jeeps come quickly round the bends. If your legs give out, ask at the ponds for a local car back to Sukhia; it will cost a few hundred rupees. Back in town, momos and tea are waiting, and the jeeps for Darjeeling and Mirik leave from the same stand.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
How long does the walk from Sukhia Pokhari to Jorepokhri take?
About an hour each way at an easy pace for the roughly 4 km road, a little longer uphill if you stop for views and tea. With half an hour at the ponds, the whole outing takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Start by mid-morning to finish before the afternoon mist.
Is the road walk to Jorepokhri safe?
Yes, with normal road sense. It follows a quiet road with light traffic, but jeeps take bends fast, so walk single file on the outer edge where you can see and be seen. Wear something bright in mist, carry a torch in winter when dark comes early, and avoid walking after dusk.
Can we get a vehicle back if we are tired?
Usually, yes. Local cars come to Jorepokhri with visitors, and drivers at the lodge or parking area will often take you back to Sukhia Pokhari for a few hundred rupees. Do not count on it late in the day; take a driver's number from Sukhia's stand as a backup.
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