Khecheopalri Lake & Kanchenjunga Falls Day Trip

West of Pelling, the road drops into deep green valleys towards Yuksom. Along it are some of the area’s loveliest stops: the sacred Khecheopalri Lake, the powerful Kanchenjunga Falls, Rimbi Waterfall and the village of Darap. Local drivers call this the West Loop, and it’s the perfect first full day in Pelling.

West Loop essentials

Stops: Darap village, Rimbi Waterfall, Sewaro Rock Garden, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls.
Distances: Khecheopalri about 25–30 km and Kanchenjunga Falls about 25–28 km from Pelling (different branches of the road).
Time: 5–7 hours.
Fees: the lake and falls are generally free; small parking charges may apply.

Khecheopalri Lake: the wishing lake

Hidden in a forested bowl at about 1,700 metres, Khecheopalri is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Legend says birds keep its surface clear of fallen leaves, and many visitors make a wish at the prayer-flag-lined jetty. From the parking area it’s a short, easy walk on a paved path.

Etiquette

Walk quietly — this is a place of worship.
Do not feed the fish, throw coins or touch the water.
Don’t smoke, drink or play music near the lake.
Walk clockwise around prayer wheels.

A local fair is held at the lake in spring (around March–April). If you want to stay overnight, Lake View Nest is a quiet homestay nearby.

Kanchenjunga Falls

One of the most impressive waterfalls in West Sikkim, Kanchenjunga Falls plunges down a cliff in a narrow gorge. From the road, around 100 steps lead to the viewing area. It’s at its most powerful after the monsoon (September–November). The rocks are slippery — stay behind the barriers.

Waterfalls on the West Loop are fullest from late monsoon into autumn.

Rimbi Waterfall and Sewaro Rock Garden

About 10–12 km from Pelling, Rimbi is an easy roadside stop where a waterfall meets the river. Nearby, Sewaro Rock Garden has landscaped terraces and pools — good for families and a mid-morning break. In mid-January, the rock garden area hosts a Maghe Sankranti fair.

Darap village

Darap, 7–8 km from Pelling, is a peaceful multi-community village of farms and homestays. A 30-minute walk here shows a side of Sikkim most visitors miss. If you’d like to stay, try Daragoan Retreat.

Sample timings

Time	Stop
8:30 am	Leave Pelling
9:00 am	Darap village walk
9:45 am	Rimbi Waterfall & rock garden
11:00 am	Khecheopalri Lake
12:45 pm	Lunch
2:00 pm	Kanchenjunga Falls
4:00 pm	Back in Pelling

Taxi cost

The Sikkim Transport Department’s notified full-day Pelling sightseeing package — which includes Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Rimbi Falls along with the heritage sights — has maximum fares of about ₹3,300–3,500 for a small car and ₹4,000 for a larger “maxi” vehicle (July 2024 notification). See the full chart in our taxi rates guide.

Combine this loop with the heritage loop in our 3-day itinerary.

HomestayBudget