West Sikkim · Sikkim
Yuksom
Sikkim's first capital — a quiet village of prayer flags, Dubdi monastery and the Khecheopalri lake nearby.
Yuksom is an easy hill destination in West Sikkim, Sikkim, reaching 2,100 m. The best time to go is March to May and October and November. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Bagdogra / NJP and about ₹2,200 per person per day.
What to do in Yuksom
The one thing not to miss
The coronation throne
Norbugang, where the first king of Sikkim was crowned in 1642.
- 2Dubdi monasteryAmong the oldest in Sikkim, up a forest path above the village.
- 3Kathok lakeA small sacred lake in the village.
- 4TashidingA hilltop monastery on the road in.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Bagdogra to Yuksom
About 6–7 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
The coronation throne · Dubdi monastery
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Kathok lake · Tashiding
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 4
Yuksom to Bagdogra
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Slow, green and historic, and the trailhead for Dzongri and Goechala.
Why not
Very little to do unless you like walking and quiet.
Before you go
- Permits
- None for Indian citizens.
- Guide
- Not needed in the village.
- Safety
- Leeches on forest paths in the monsoon.
- Phone & internet
- Weak.
Permits, food and festivals in Sikkim →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Sikkim: Central Referral Hospital (Manipal), Tadong, Gangtok; STNM Hospital, Gangtok.
All emergency contacts for Sikkim →What to pack for Yuksom
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
2 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
3 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone for Indian citizens.
- Passport-size photos and photocopies of your IDPermit counters and check posts ask for them, and there is rarely a photocopier nearby. Carry four of each.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Sikkim Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Sikkim
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Pelling
- Distance
- about 38 km
- Drive time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Pelling
- Rimbi
- Khecheopalri turn
- Yuksom
From
Bagdogra / NJP
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Drive time
- 6–7 hours
- Siliguri
- Jorethang
- Legship
- Tashiding
- Yuksom
Buses and shared taxis. Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both next to Siliguri. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from there. Shared jeeps run from Jorethang and Geyzing.
Pickups & drivers
From Bagdogra / NJP. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Yuksom yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Yuksom: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Yuksom?
The best months for Yuksom are March to May and October and November. December to February are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Yuksom?
Yuksom is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,780 m and reaching 2,100 m.
How many days do you need for Yuksom?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Bagdogra / NJP. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Yuksom cost?
Expect about ₹2,200 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹8,800 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Bagdogra / NJP.
How do you reach Yuksom?
By road: from Pelling it is about 38 km, 1.5–2 hours (Pelling → Rimbi → Khecheopalri turn → Yuksom); from Bagdogra / NJP it is about 150 km, 6–7 hours (Siliguri → Jorethang → Legship → Tashiding → Yuksom). Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both next to Siliguri. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from there. Shared jeeps run from Jorethang and Geyzing. The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Yuksom?
Permits: None for Indian citizens. Guide: Not needed in the village.
Is Yuksom suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is good. It is quiet in season. Leeches on forest paths in the monsoon.
What should you pack for Yuksom?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines, motion-sickness bands or tablets, power bank. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Yuksom?
Weak.
Who should not go to Yuksom?
Yuksom suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Very little to do unless you like walking and quiet.
Close to Yuksom
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.