Vagabondetravel

The Rabdanse Ruins

The Rabdanse Ruins is one more place you should visit on your ride to west Sikkim. As you ride down from Pemayangtse, you can take a left turn to visit the gateway to the ruins – one time capital of Sikkim.These broken down structures belong to the second palace of Sikkim’s Chogyals. An enjoyable ten minute walk through a small forest full of rare orchids and small lakes will bring you to the ruins. The lakes around the area which are home to naturally grown goldfish are nothing less than some of the prettiest aquariums you have seen and will surely leave you spellbound.

The Rabdanse Ruins

More of the Rabdanse Ruins

You could also visit another Monastery, the Dubdi Monastery located nearby in very scenic and pleasant surroundings.

The Dubdi Monastery

Ten odd kilometers from Geyzing is Pelling, a settlement situated at an altitude of 6800 feet. Although Pelling, in itself, is little more than a strip of road lined with hotels, what it offers is an unmatched view of the entire mountain range including a dozen of the Himalaya’s most wanted peaks. A full-moon night spent at Pelling is nothing less than finding yourself in heaven. The rising sun casts a spell over the valleys while the mountains change colours each minute of the morning, everyday at Pelling.

Wonderful view of Mt. Kanchenjunga

At a distance of 32kms from Pemayangtse, in the northwest of Sikkim lies Yuksom, a peaceful town that was once, the very first Sikkimese capital. According to historical records, the first Chogyal of the kingdom was consecrated in 1641 a.d. by three learned Lamas. Since the history of Sikkim began from this place, the place has been considered sacred. Even today, the remnants of the Coronation Throne of the first Chogyal are to be found in a mystic shaded place under a legendary tree by the side of Karthok Lake. The throne was made of stones and clay that came from different parts of Sikkim.

The mystic land of Sikkim

From a beautiful hamlet in the Yuksom valley, where the Nepalese, Lepchas and Bhutiyas live, begin quite a few amazing trekking routes, out of which, the Yuksom Dzongri trek is one of the best and covers some of the state’s most beautiful lakes. Keeping Yuksom as your base camp, riders craving for adventure may trek to Tashiding, Dzongri peak, Kachupuri Lake and Goecha La.

Close to Yuksom is the Kanchenjunga National Park where wildlife enthusiasts can have a good field day and naturalists can enjoy a variety of flora and fauna.

Kanchenjunga National Park

Varied flora and fauna at the Kanchenjunga National Park

For the visitor: You will come across a few hotels, homestays and a guest house at Yuksom if you wish to spend some time in this paradise. Meals here are mostly of the local variety and are home-cooked. A stay at Pelling is most recommended not only for the views it offers but also because you could rest and replenish before continuing your onward journey from here.

Homestays of Sikkim

Many hotels and lodges have mushroomed in and around Pelling offering a vast choice of accommodation. The place also offers a good variety of dining options apart from the local favorite, Tigmomo and Shapta.

The small market caters to your basic needs and is a good place to refuel your cheese and biscuit boxes before you get back into the saddle to explore more of what this paradise offers.

Continue touring the paradise…