Treks and walks · Uttarey
Day hike towards Chewabhanjyang pass
A long, steep day hike from Uttarey through oak and rhododendron forest towards Chewabhanjyang, a pass of about 3,100 m on the Nepal border. You climb about 1,100 m, need a local guide and must respect the border post. In spring the forest is in full flower.
Chewabhanjyang, roughly 3,100 m, is a pass on the Singalila ridge above Uttarey, on the border between Sikkim and Nepal. Local people speak of it as an old foot route between villages on both sides, used for trade, grazing and family visits long before roads. Today a border post stands there. From Uttarey the trail climbs about 1,100 m through farmland and then mixed forest of oak, maple, magnolia and rhododendron, with bamboo thickets higher up and, on clear days, wide views back over West Sikkim.
This is a serious day, not a stroll. Expect roughly 5–6 hours up and 3–4 hours down, depending on fitness and conditions; trail times vary and we suggest confirming with your guide. Go with a local guide, who knows the paths and the people at the border post, and pay ₹1,500–2,500 for the day. Carry your passport or Aadhaar. Crossing into Nepal or walking along the ridge beyond needs permission, so do not assume you can continue. Check current status before you travel.
Start by 6 am with a packed lunch from your homestay, 2 litres of water, rain gear, a warm layer and a torch. March to May brings rhododendron bloom; October and November bring the clearest skies and colder air. Avoid the monsoon, when the trail turns to mud and leeches are everywhere, and deep winter, when snow can lie near the pass. If you feel headache or breathlessness, turn back; 3,100 m is high enough for mild altitude symptoms.
Cost: Local guide ₹1,500–2,500 a day
Questions people ask
Good to know
How difficult is the Chewabhanjyang hike from Uttarey?
It is a hard day hike: about 1,100 m of ascent to roughly 3,100 m, with an estimated 8–10 hours return on forest trails that can be steep and muddy. You need good fitness, proper shoes and an early start. It is not suitable for young children or people with heart or knee problems.
Do we need permission to go to Chewabhanjyang?
Hiking to the area with a local guide is generally possible for Indian citizens carrying ID, but there is a border post at the pass and going into Nepal or along the ridge needs permission. Foreign nationals face stricter rules. Ask your homestay host and the local police or border post, and check current status before you travel.
When do the rhododendrons bloom on the way to Chewabhanjyang?
Usually from March to May, starting lower down and moving up the slopes as spring warms. Late March to late April often has the most colour on the forest trails above Uttarey, but timing shifts by a few weeks each year. Ask your host about the bloom before you set out.
