Yuksom is for those who seek solitude and spirituality. Come pray in the ancient monasteries that dot this land and explore its magnificent trekking trails that lead to snowy mountains and glacial lakes. Our Yuksom travel guide gives you a glimpse of this little-known gem.


YUKSOM, SIKKIM / INDIA

Yuksom, Sikkim’s first capital, is tucked away in the far west of Sikkim. It is hardly on anyone’s travel itinerary unless they intend to trek to the glaciers and frozen lakes of Goechala or offer prayers at the region’s oldest monasteries. Few tourists come on day trips from Pelling to visit the Coronation Throne and Kathok Lake. In Yuksom, you can relish solitude on long, lingering walks through the village, through acres of cultivated land, and whispering woods.

In The King’s Harvest, Chetan Raj Shrestha writes, “Yuksom is a village with the spread of a town. It was Sikkim’s first capital, and has been in continuous habitation since 1642, when it had hosted the coronation of the first king. It is a basin in the foothills of the Kanchenjunga range, and its shape has a glacial feel to it. Because of its location– tucked away between large hills– it is warmer than the towns built on hillsides. The land here speaks of fertility, and every stretch on either side of the small bazaar is cultivated.

How to Reach Yuksom

Yuksom is situated 40 km / 2 hrs from Pelling. Shared taxis from Yuksom are available from Pelling.

If you are travelling from Siliguri (140 km / 6 hrs), note that shared taxis to Yuksom are rare. Travel on a shared taxi to Pelling or Jorethang, then another taxi to Yuksom. All vehicles to Sikkim start from the Sikkim National Transport (SNT) terminus. SNT is 14 km from Bagdogra airport and 6 km from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station.

The mighty Kanchenjunga

When to Visit Yuksom

Come in spring/summer for the flowers. This is also the peak trekking season when trekking enthusiasts from around the world come to explore the snowy mountains of Sikkim.

Summer, followed by the monsoon, brings the rain. Clouds and fog cocoon the mountainside relentlessly. The roads are prone to landslides and it is not advisable to travel during the rains.

Autumn brings a lot of tourists from the plains but the skies are clear and the weather crisp. Winter is beautiful and quiet. The views are stellar and you can experience snowfall in the upper reaches of the mountain.

Also read: Explore the best of West Sikkim using our Complete West Sikkim Travel Guide.

Things to Do in Yuksom

Get a History Lesson at Coronation Park

On a blessed day in 1642, Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned the first chogyal of Sikkim by Nyingmapa Lama Lhatsun Chenbo, Kartokpa Lama Sempa Chenpo, and Ngadakpa Lama Ringzin Chenbo. You can see the stone coronation throne with a trefoil backrest in Yuksom’s Coronation Park. The largest seat in the centre, according to inscriptions on the back of the throne, was meant for Lhatsun Chenbo. The seat to his right was meant for Phunsog. The seats to his left were for Sempa Chenpo and Ringzin Chenbo who came from the west and south of Sikkim respectively. The Norbugang Chorten is also a part of this park. It is said that Lhatsun Chenpo buried soils from all parts of Sikkim at this location. The park, full of old-growth trees (some indigenous to Sikkim), is a lovely place to spend hours reading a book or meditating. When we visited in January, there was no sound except for birdsong and the wind whispering through the leaves.

Complete the Monasteries Trek

Some of Sikkim’s oldest and most revered monasteries are located around Yuksom. They are not reachable by road and you must trek through hamlets and forests to pray at these monasteries. Start early from Yuksom and make your way to Dubdi monastery, then to Sinon monastery and Hongri monastery before descending to the Tashiding monastery. This can be done in a day; you can either stay at Tashiding or pre-book transport from Tashiding to Yuksom. You can also spread it over two or three days with rest stops at village homes along the way.

Idle at Kathok Lake

The waters of the Kathok Lake are said to have been used for the consecration. A footprint here is attributed to one of the three lamas who crowned the first chogyal. Today, this green pool ringed by prayer flags and surrounded by tall alpine trees is a slice of calm. Locals come here to feed the fishes. Tickets are INR 20 for Indian nationals.

Also read: Wondering where to go next? How about another trekking town? See our Uttarey, Sikkim, Travel Guide to find out the best things to do in Uttarey.

Trek to Dzongri Top and Goechala

The Goechala trek promises unprecedented views of 14 Himalayan peaks, including Kanchenjunga. From forests of pine and rhododendron to stark meadows and snowy peaks to the serene expanse of Samiti lake, the scenery on this trail is as dramatic as it gets. The Dzongri Top trail is a shorter version of this trek and promises unforgettable views. For more information on this trek, read Tanmay Bain’s account on India Hikes.

Chase Waterfalls

Phamrong Falls, the highest waterfall in Sikkim, is located 7 km from Yuksom. Visit after the rainy season, when the mountainside is swathed in lush greenery, to see the waterfall in all its glory. To reach the viewpoint, you have to climb some 200 steep steps up the hillside.

10 km from Yuksom, if you are travelling from Pelling, is the majestic Kanchenjunga Falls. The gushing cascade is scenic even in winter when the flow is relatively small compared to the monsoon. It’s usually crowded by day-trippers from Pelling but it’s worth a visit. There are a few tea stalls selling momos and Wai Wai on the road. You can also try a short rope sliding activity here.

Go on a half-day tour to Khecheopalri Lake

The Khecheopalri Lake is one of Sikkim’s holiest. It is said that if a leaf falls into this lake, a bird will pick it up. According to local lore, Khecheopalri is the home of the mother goddess of all water nymphs, Pemachen Tsomen. Originally, it was called Lobding Tso and was located at Yuksom. In the mid-seventeenth century, Sikkim was repeatedly attacked by foreign invaders and in the wars that ensued, the lake was defiled by corpses and carcasses. Pemachen Tsomen revealed herself to a hermit monk who came to pray on the shores of her lake from Dubdi monastery and requested him to shift the lake to a cleaner location. The monk, a tantric master, respected her wish and shifted the lake to the forests of Khecheopalri. But when locals from the village started polluting the lake, Pemachen Tsomen moved the lake further uphill. Locals turn the prayer wheels along the wooden pier and feed the fishes and make a wish to the goddess of the lake. Celebrations are held during local festivals. A steep climb of a hundred or so stairs will take you to a viewpoint from where you can see the lake in all its glory.

Stop by the Rimbi Orange Gardens

The Rimbi Orange Gardens is a popular tourist attraction located by the Rathong Chhu river. Come during harvest season, late December to the end of January, to see and taste the oranges (mandarins, actually!). There are stalls selling freshly pressed orange juice and homemade fruit wines. The river is a favourite with birders and etymologists who come chasing butterflies here. To see a compilation of local birds and butterflies, contact Shiva Gurung at the Daragaon Village Retreat in Darap.

Where to Stay in Yuksom

We did not stay in Yuksom on this trip. There are quite a few homestays in Yuksom that cater to travellers and trekkers. Hotel Limboo Homestay and Lovism Homestay have good reviews. You can also stay at Khecheopalri. The Khecheopalri Sanctuary Homestay is much loved by travellers. There is a hotel owned by Danny Denzongpa here, if you seek a more comfortable stay. Danny is also the owner of the Sikkimese brewery that brews local classics like the Hit beer and Dansberg.


We want to return to Yuksom and spend a few days exploring the village and trying the local food at homestays. Yuksom was surprisingly lush in January: Thickets of bamboo framing fields of maize and cardamom. In the higher altitudes, you can find triphala, a cousin of the famed Siuchan pepper, that locals forage and use in chutneys. As you head out of town past locals pedalling their bicycles or working in their fields, you can see the snowy peaks on your rearview mirror slowly disappear as your round the curve.

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Mohana & Aninda

Mohana and Aninda are travellers and advocates for car-free travel. Two-together is their travel blog where they document their travels to encourage and inspire readers to seek solace in new places, savour local cuisines, and relish both unique and everyday experiences. When they are not travelling, they are actively researching trip ideas and itineraries, obsessing over public transport timetables, reviewing travel budgets, and developing content for their blog. They are currently based in Edinburgh and exploring Scotland and beyond by public transport.

One response to “Yuksom, Sikkim, Travel Guide”

  1. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    I’ve never heard of Yuksom before, but it looks beautiful and a very peaceful spot to escape to.

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