Pelling Getting there & around

Getting there & away

At 7am SNT buses leave Pelling for both Gangtok (Rs 85, 5½ hours) via Ravangla and Siliguri (Rs 105, 4½ hours) via Jorethang (Rs 35, 2½ hours). Booking ahead is advised at the SNT counter (250707; Hotel Pelling; 6am-7pm) in Lower Pelling.

The frequency of shared jeeps increases as the season progresses but year-round rides depart early morning and around noon to Gangtok (Rs 150, five hours) and at 8am to Siliguri (Rs 150, 4½ hours). Simvo Tours & Travels (258549) also offers high-season sumos to Darjeeling (Rs 175, five hours, 8am). Father Tours (258219) has jeeps to Kalimpong (Rs 120, four hours, 6.15am). If nothing is available ex-Pelling, change in Geyzing. Share jeeps to Geyzing (Rs 20, 20 minutes) leave when full (around twice an hour) from near Hotel Garuda. They pass close to Pemayangtse, Rabdentse and Tikjuk police station. For Khecheopalri Lake (Rs 60) or Yuksom (Rs 60) jeeps originate from Geyzing and although booking ex-Pelling is sometimes possible, it’s often easier simply to join a day-trip tour and throw away the return ticket.