Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksSacred Mountain Kingdom
Sikkim
Image: Abhishek532 / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Khangchendzonga National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Permits and treks are arranged through Sikkim forest/tourism offices and registered guides; confirm requirements before reaching trailheads.
This is an extremely challenging park to visit. All access is by multi-day trekking at high altitude (1,780 - 5,000+ m). Trails are steep, remote, and at extreme elevation. Not suitable for visitors with limited mobility. Excellent physical fitness and altitude experience are essential. The base towns of Yuksom and Pelling are accessible by road.
Khangchendzonga National Park in western Sikkim encompasses the Indian slope of Mount Khangchendzonga (8,586 m) — the third highest peak in the world. It is India's first 'Mixed Heritage' UNESCO World Heritage Site (2016), recognized for both its natural biodiversity and its cultural significance to the Sikkimese people, who revere the mountain as their guardian deity. The park spans an extraordinary elevation range from 1,220 m to 8,586 m, encompassing subtropical broadleaf forests, temperate oak-laurel forests, alpine meadows, and permanent glaciers. This vertical diversity supports an exceptional range of flora and fauna.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Trekking Season | March - May, October - November | Multi-day treks |
No conventional safari operations. The famous Goecha La trek (10-11 days from Yuksom) provides the main access. Shorter treks to Dzongri and back (7 days) are also popular. All treks require registered guides.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 200 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 500 per person |
| Goecha La Trek (10-11 days) | INR 25,000 - 60,000 per person |
| Guide Fee | INR 800 - 1,200 per day (mandatory) |
All treks must be arranged through registered operators with mandatory Sikkimese guides and porters/yaks for load carrying. Costs include guide, porter, food, camping equipment, and permits.
Khangchendzonga National Park, West Sikkim 737113
27.6333° N, 88.1333° E
Nearest airport is Bagdogra (145 km from Yuksom). Regular flights from Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Shared taxis and jeeps from Bagdogra to Pelling/Yuksom.
Nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP, 155 km from Yuksom). Well-connected to Kolkata, Delhi, and other cities. Shared jeeps from NJP.
Yuksom (trek starting point) is 145 km from Bagdogra/Siliguri (6-7 hours). Route via Jorethang and Pelling. Roads are mountainous and winding. Shared jeeps are the most common transport.
Shared jeeps from Pelling/Geyzing to Yuksom. Inside the park: all travel on foot. Yaks and porters carry supplies on the trek.
Extraordinary diversity across elevations: subtropical sal forests, temperate oak-magnolia forests, rhododendron forests (36 species), alpine meadows, and high-altitude lichens and mosses. Over 1,580 plant species recorded. 36 species of rhododendrons and over 450 orchid species.
Snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, bharal (blue sheep), Tibetan wolf, and Himalayan tahr. Over 550 bird species across altitudinal zones. The park's inaccessibility has kept its ecosystems relatively pristine.
Khangchendzonga (meaning 'Five Treasures of the Great Snow' in Tibetan) is sacred to the Sikkimese, who regard it as their guardian deity. The mountain was first summited in 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band, who stopped short of the summit out of respect for its sanctity — a promise honored by subsequent Indian expeditions. The national park was established in 1977. In 2016, UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site under both natural and cultural criteria — India's first 'Mixed Heritage' site, recognizing the intertwining of Buddhist sacred geography with exceptional biodiversity.
