Try "Sandakphu", "toy train", "homestay", "Gangtok in April"
Route · West & South Sikkim
About 35–40 km and 1.5–2 hours from Pelling to Yuksom, past Rimbi and Kanchenjunga Falls and the turning for Khecheopalri Lake. Shared jeeps are few, so most people take a reserved car or combine the drive with sightseeing.
| From | To | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PELLING | YUKSOM | Shared jeep | 1.5–2.5 h | ₹150–250 |
| PELLING | YUKSOM | Reserved car | 1.5–2 h | ₹2,000–3,000 A C |
| PELLING | YUKSOM | On foot (part) | Full day | FREE |
From our route pages. Fares change with fuel prices, season and demand: check current status before you travel.
A small number of shared jeeps run between Gyalshing, Pelling and Yuksom, mainly in the morning and early afternoon. Ask at the Upper Pelling jeep stop the evening before and book a seat. If none suit, go down to Gyalshing, which has more vehicles to Yuksom.
A reserved car lets you stop at Rimbi Falls, Kanchenjunga Falls and Khecheopalri Lake on the way. Many Pelling drivers sell this as a sightseeing day ending in Yuksom. Agree which stops are included and how long the driver will wait at each.
Fit walkers sometimes go by jeep to Khecheopalri, spend the night at the lake and walk the old village trail down to Yuksom the next day, roughly 4 to 6 hours. Go with a local guide or clear directions, carry water and avoid the monsoon months.
Local tip: Ask your driver to stop at Kanchenjunga Falls on the way up, before the tour groups arrive in late morning.
Questions people ask
About 35 to 40 km by road, which takes 1.5 to 2 hours without stops. The road drops to the Rimbi river and climbs again, passing Rimbi and Kanchenjunga Falls and the turn-off for Khecheopalri Lake. With sightseeing stops, plan on half a day.
Yes, but there are only a few jeeps a day, mostly in the morning. Book a seat at the Upper Pelling stop the evening before, or go to Gyalshing, which has more departures. Fares are indicative at ₹150–250 a seat; check current status before you travel.
If you are not staying at the lake, yes. The turning is on the Pelling to Yuksom road, and a reserved car can wait while you walk the short path to the lake, about 20 minutes each way. Allow an hour in all. Staying a night at Khecheopalri is even better.
It usually stays open, but slips and fallen boulders are common from June to September and can hold traffic for hours. Travel in the morning, when rain is lighter, and keep a buffer day before any onward 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.