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Route · Kalimpong
The old trade road east from Kalimpong to Pedong, the last bazaar before the Jelep La caravans climbed into Sikkim and Tibet. About 20 km and an hour by shared jeep through Algarah, with Sillery Gaon and Damsang fort a short hop beyond.
| From | To | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KALIMPONG | PEDONG | Shared jeep | 1–1.25 h | ₹80–120 |
| KALIMPONG | PEDONG | Reserved car | 45 min–1 h | ₹1,500–2,200 A C |
| KALIMPONG | PEDONG | On foot (part) | half day | FREE |
From our route pages. Fares change with fuel prices, season and demand: check current status before you travel.
Shared jeeps to Pedong leave from Kalimpong's Motor Stand through the morning and early afternoon, filling up before they go. The road runs through Algarah and along the ridge with views north into Sikkim. The last jeeps back from Pedong leave by mid-afternoon, so do not plan a late return. Change at Pedong for Sillery Gaon or hire a local car.
A reserved car from the Motor Stand or your hotel is the easy option with luggage or a family. Ask for a half-day package that adds Damsang fort, Sangchen Dorjee monastery and Cross Hill for around ₹2,500–3,500. Drivers know the road well; agree the price and stops before you set off.
Walkers can take a shared jeep to Algarah and walk some of the old trade path on village trails towards Pedong, with a local guide. It is a half-day ramble through cardamom, maize and broom grass, and gives a real sense of the mule route. Avoid it in the monsoon, when paths are slippery and leeches are out.
Local tip: Leave Kalimpong by 9 am so you have time for Damsang fort and the monastery before the afternoon cloud and the last jeep back.
Questions people ask
Pedong is about 20 km east of Kalimpong, a drive of roughly 45 minutes to 1.25 hours depending on the vehicle and traffic at Algarah. Shared jeeps cost ₹80–120 a seat and leave from the Kalimpong Motor Stand. A reserved car costs about ₹1,500–2,200 one way.
Yes. Leave around 9 am, see Sangchen Dorjee monastery, Cross Hill and Damsang fort, eat lunch in Pedong bazaar and return by mid-afternoon. With a reserved car you can add Sillery Gaon or Ramitey Dara. To see sunrise from the ridges, stay a night in Sillery Gaon or Icchey Gaon instead.
Pedong was on the Kalimpong–Lhasa trade road over Jelep La, which carried Tibetan wool and goods until the 1962 war closed the pass. Travellers often call the whole network the Silk Route. The better-known Silk Route drive today runs through Rongli and Zuluk in East Sikkim, on the other side of the Rishi river.
The road is usually open in the monsoon but can be blocked for hours by landslides after heavy rain, especially from July to September. Start early, carry snacks and keep a buffer day if you are connecting to a train or flight. Check current status before you travel.
Plan with a local
Where you want to go, how many of you, and roughly what you want to spend a day. A planner who lives in these hills replies within one working day with a route and every rupee written down.