Day 5, March 4, 2025: The Road to Pelling – Waterfalls, Sacred Lakes & A Taste of the Hills

The morning began with a hearty homemade breakfast prepared by Mr. Chungda—crispy Aloo Paratha served with local vegetable pickle and Aloo Sabji. As we enjoyed the warm meal, my heart felt a tinge of reluctance to leave Yuksom. The village was alive with simple yet heartwarming moments—kids playing with a puppy before heading to school, a man prepping fodder for his cattle, and women chatting by their homes as they went about their morning chores.

As I watched this serene village life unfold, Robert Frost’s words echoed in my mind:

"Miles to go before I sleep..."

And with that thought, our journey to Pelling began, with several exciting stops along the way.

A Journey of Unexpected Beauty

Our first stop was at a random iron bridge, which caught our attention with its scenic charm—a small cascading waterfall flowed beneath, its turquoise waters glistening in the morning light. A moment of silence, just soaking in the view, was enough to make this unplanned stop a memorable one.

Next, we reached the Kanchenjunga Waterfall—and trust me, this was one of the most breathtaking waterfalls I’ve ever seen! The moment we got closer, a cool misty breeze mixed with water droplets enveloped us, refreshing us instantly. The raw power of nature here was simply mesmerizing.

An hour-long drive later, we arrived at Khechuperi Lake, a sacred and wish-fulfilling lake tucked deep within the forest. The adjacent Khechuperi Monastery stood as a silent guardian of faith, its intricate paintings and fine details making it a picture-perfect site.

A Slight Letdown & A Warm Meal

Our last planned stop was the Rimbi Orange Garden—a place I had been looking forward to, hoping to see lush orange-laden trees. However, to my disappointment, only two trees still bore fruit; the rest had already been harvested. It was a stark contrast to the bountiful orange groves of Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, which I had experienced the previous year.

Nevertheless, just a little below the garden, a gentle stream flowed, where tourists relaxed and enjoyed local delicacies. By this time, it was 3 PM, and hunger had kicked in. We ordered a plate of steaming hot veg momos, savoring the delicate flavors in the crisp mountain air.

Arrival in Pelling

By evening, we reached our stay—Sumit Newa in Pelling. The town, blanketed in thick mist, gave it an ethereal charm, as if nature itself was wrapping it in mystery. After strolling through local shops, we tried out some local dinner specialties, warming up in the chilly night.

With the mist swirling outside, our eyelids slowly grew heavy, as the cozy room became the perfect place to rest and recharge for yet another day of discovery.