Cherry Village Homestay Resort
Some of the important tourist attractions and adjoining areas are:
Rimbi Waterfall (5km)
Beautiful Rimbi Waterfall is connected to River Rimbi situated 5 km down from Darap en route to Khecheopalri wish-fulfilling lake and Yuksom. Adjacent to this is Karchen Hydro Electricity Power House- the oldest in West Sikkim constructed in the early 70s during the last Sikkimese King’s regime.
Rimbi Orange Garden (5.4km)
At a distance of 1 km from Rimbi Falls and 13 km from Pelling, Rimbi Orange Garden is a beautiful garden located at Rimbi near Pelling. Situated near Rimbi Waterfall, it is one of the best places to visit in Pelling.
Also known as Sewaro Rock Garden, Rimbi Orange Garden is a government funded orange garden. Along with orange trees, visitors can see some cardamom plants and some flowering plants here. It is well maintained and offers good views of the surrounding mountains. Tourists can access the river from the garden where one can sit on the rocks and spend some quality time in solitude. One can also buy oranges and cardamoms here.
Sanga Choeling Monastery (8km)
Sanga Choling monastery is located on a hilltop at the rear of the town of Pelling in the western part of the state of Sikkim. One must undertake an uphill hike for about forty minutes to reach the monastery. Built-in 1697, the monastery is the creation of Gyalwa Lhatsum Chempo, is one of the oldest monasteries in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim.
Pemayangtse Monastery
Occupying a small section of beauty at the higher end of western Sikkim, a renowned monastery of Pemayangtse is located. The word Pemayangtse mean ‘Perfect Sublime Lotus’ and it is a famous tourist attraction and widely visited by many travellers all year round. With a mere distance of 2 kilometres from Pelling, this attraction is an easy walk. It gives a perfect place to relax in solitary and listen to the sounds of nature as you explore this second oldest monastery of Sikkim. Being around 300 years old, it is a must visit place as it offers the reflection of the rich architecture and the unwavering faith of the Buddhist followers.
Khecheopalri (Wish Fulfilling) Lake (16km)
Khecheopalri Lake, originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri (meaning the heaven of Padmasambhava), is a lake located near Khecheopalri village, 147 kilometers (91 mi) west of Gangtok in the West Sikkim district of the Northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. Located 34 kilometers (21 mi) to the northwest of Pelling town, the lake is sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus and is believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake. The local name for the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means “Oh Lady, Sit Here”.
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple (33km)
Positioned amidst emerald forests and on the edges of the glittering River Rangit, Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage site. It is said, that whoever prays at this temple, all his wishes come true if you pray whole-heartedly. However, the temple is also widely visited because the premises houses three separate platforms to pray to Goddess Durga, Lord Rama and Lord Shiva. It is said that Kirateshwar Mahadev is the oldest temple in the state. This sacred temple is also mentioned in the Mahabharata because of its vital role in the epic battle.
Rabdentse Ruins (10km)
Rabdentse Ruins is the archeological site that tells Sikkim’s story of glory. Until 1814 A.D, it was the second capital of Sikkim, established by Chogyal II. Later on, after the Nepalese invasion in the 18th century, the palace and the monastery complex were destructed and turned into ruins. The place is a must-see for history enthusiasts who want to dig into the state’s past in between the spectacular view of Kanchenjunga peak and the gushing river flowing through the foothills. The ruins of Rabdentse Palace are just a walk away from the Pemayangtse Monastery through the dense forest on the way to Pelling.
Khangchendzonga Waterfall (22km)
The mighty Khangchendzonga waterfall lies 28kms away from Darap en route to Yuksam just 5km before reaching Yuksam. It is one of the best tourist hotspots featuring a miraculous view of the combination of the chilled water and green vegetation backdrop. This hilly area makes a complete picturesque experience soothing
Tashiding Monastery(60km)
Tashiding Monastery reflects an old world charm and a serene ambiance that is ideal to seek some enlightenment and spirituality. The monastery binds the visitors with its attractive architecture and a snowy backdrop of grand mountain peaks. Along with being one of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim, it does make a destination not to be missed by the tourists. Tashiding Monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order and was built in the 17th century on top of a hill between the two beautiful rivers, Rangit and Rathong.
Yuksom
Yuksom, located in West Sikkim was the first capital of the kingdom of Sikkim. It was here that the coronation ceremony of the first Chogyal or King of Sikkim took place. The throne used for the rituals still exists. There are many Buddhist monasteries located in and around Yuksom valley.
In fact, Yuksom is an important stop on the Buddhist pilgrimage route which includes top places to see such as Dubdi Monastery, the Khecheopalri Lake, the Tashiding Monastery, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, the ruins of Rabdentse, the famous Pelling skywalk and Pemayangtse Monastery in the nearby Pelling. It is one of the best places to see in North East India.
Singshore Bridge (2nd highest hanging bridge in Asia)
Singshore Bridge, with an height of over 100 m and 240 m in length, is the highest bridge in Sikkim and the second highest bridge in Asia. It is truly a man made marvel that offers the spectacular baseview of immense greenery that makes it difficult to distinguish between the lowlands and the mountains. You can feel the thrill when you are standing in the middle of the bridge and the strong wind blows. The river flowing through the uneven rocks seems breathtaking along with the effusive sound of the waterfalls. It is one among the oldest bridge that connects two hills and shortens the travel time as well as the distance for the trekkers. This engineers triumph is certainly one of the most popular tourist destination in Sikkim.
Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
Brimming with enchanting beauty, Varsey is a butterfly shaped rhododendron sanctuary that sprawls in 104-sq-km area. It was declared a sanctuary in 1996. This wildlife attraction in Geyzing, Sikkim is known for its wide variety of rhododendron and several other species like Oak, Primula, Pine and Magnolia. The fauna that can be witnessed in the sanctuary includes Leopard cat , Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten , Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Langur, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Monal Pheasant, Kaleej and many other species of birds.