About Pelling Skywalk
The Pelling Skywalk is a glass-bottomed suspension bridge built on the hillside above Upper Pelling, opened in 2018. It has become the most-photographed viewpoint in West Sikkim — not for the glass floor itself, but for what it faces: an unobstructed, wide-angle panorama of the Kanchenjunga range (8,586m). When the air is clear, which it reliably is from October to April in the early morning, the southern face of Kanchenjunga fills the entire frame from left to right. Kabru, Talung, Pandim and Rathong are all identifiable without binoculars. The glass section is about 24 metres long, suspended on a hillside rather than over a cliff — it can feel vertiginous but is well within normal engineering tolerances. The real reason to come is the sunrise: from roughly 5:45–6:15 AM (October–March), Kanchenjunga turns a deep rose-gold as the first light hits the snowface. Arrive before 6 AM. Entry is ₹100.
Why go to Pelling Skywalk
Best Kanchenjunga panorama in Sikkim
The mountain is closer and more unobstructed here than from Darjeeling's Tiger Hill or Gangtok's viewpoints. The full southern face of Kanchenjunga, with its satellite peaks, fills the horizon in a way you don't forget.
Alpenglow at sunrise
15–20 minutes after first light, Kanchenjunga turns golden-pink as the sun hits the snow. It happens fast and it's extraordinary. You need to be here by 5:45–6:00 AM. This is the one experience in Pelling that we recommend above everything else.
The glass floor experience
The 24m glass section adds a mild thrill for most visitors. Even guests who are cautious about heights cross it comfortably. It's not the main attraction but it is a legitimate addition to the view.
Trail to Sanga Choling Monastery
A forest trail from the skywalk continues uphill to Sanga Choling Monastery (1697), one of the oldest gompas in Sikkim. Add 2 hours and you have a complete morning: sunrise at the skywalk, then forest trail, then monastery.
How to reach Pelling Skywalk from Pelling
The skywalk entry gate is at Upper Pelling, about 1 km above the main hotel strip. From most Pelling hotels, it is a 15-minute uphill walk or a 5-minute auto-rickshaw/taxi ride (₹50–100). The entry gate is clearly signposted. For sunrise visits, ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for 5:30–5:45 AM — there is no public transport at that hour.
Best time to visit Pelling Skywalk
October to April is best for clear views — the air after monsoon is washed clean and Kanchenjunga is visible on most mornings. May–June brings pre-monsoon haze. July–September is monsoon and the peaks are largely invisible. Winter (December–February) has the clearest views but is coldest.
Time of daySunrise is the non-negotiable recommendation. Arrive at 5:45–6:00 AM (earlier in summer). The Kanchenjunga alpenglow lasts 15–20 minutes. After 8 AM the light is flat and tour groups arrive. Sunset (4:30–5:30 PM, October–February) is a good second option if you can't do sunrise.
Things we always tell our guests about Pelling Skywalk
- Come at sunrise. This is the only tip that matters. Kanchenjunga alpenglow is the entire point.
- Dress very warmly — it is windier and colder at 2,300m than in town, especially pre-dawn. Bring an extra layer.
- The ticket counter opens at 6 AM with the gate. Arrive slightly before to avoid the queue once tour groups start coming.
- After the skywalk, walk the forest trail uphill to Sanga Choling Monastery — 20–30 minutes through pine and rhododendron forest, no crowds, genuinely beautiful.
- Weekends in October–November can see buses of domestic tourists by 9–10 AM. Arrive early to experience the place at its best.
Pelling Skywalk — your questions answered
Other places in Pelling
- MonasterySacred LakeHeritageGardenTemple