About Tendong Hill
Tendong Hill at 2,623m is the sacred mountain of the Lepcha people — in their oral tradition, the mountain sheltered the Lepcha ancestors when a great flood submerged the rest of the world, and the peak retains a spiritual significance that makes it distinct from the recreational trekking culture of other hills. The half-day trek from Damthang (18km from Namchi) climbs through dense oak and rhododendron forest to the summit, where a small shrine sits beside a viewpoint facing Kanchenjunga and the Teesta valley 1,500m below. The forest trail is cool and bird-rich — the Tendong Wildlife Sanctuary around the hill protects a significant population of Himalayan birds and there are records of red panda and leopard in the upper sections. The summit has almost no facilities and very few visitors. Carry water.
Why go to Tendong Hill
Sacred Lepcha peak — Kanchenjunga view from the summit
2,623m summit above South Sikkim with a wide view of the Kanchenjunga group and the Teesta valley. The Lepcha sacred shrine at the top adds cultural depth that pure viewpoints don't offer.
Bird-rich forest in the Tendong Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary forest around Tendong is consistently rated among the best birdwatching forest in South Sikkim. Himalayan laughingthrush, satyr tragopan and various pheasants are documented.
How to reach Tendong Hill from Namchi
Taxi from Namchi to Damthang trailhead (30 min, ₹500). Trek begins at Damthang (1,800m). We Care Holidays can arrange guide and transport for the Tendong day hike.
Best time to visit Tendong Hill
October–May. October–November for clear summit views; March–April for rhododendrons on the trail. Avoid the monsoon (June–September) when the forest path becomes slippery.
Time of dayStart from Damthang by 7:30am for a summit arrival by 10am before cloud builds.
Things we always tell our guests about Tendong Hill
- Carry 1.5 litres of water — no source on the upper trail.
- The summit shrine is important to the Lepcha community — treat it with respect.
- A local guide from Damthang (₹400–600) is recommended — the trail has junctions that are not marked.
Tendong Hill — your questions answered
Other places in Namchi
- TempleMonasteryViewpoint