Let’s give you a quick test. Can you stand on a glass floor, 7,200 feet up, and look straight down at a forested gorge?
If your stomach just flopped upside down, good news: you are normal. The Peeling Skywalk was built for exactly that flip, and this happens to come with a 137-foot Buddha and a front-row seat to Kachenjunga. This Peeling Skywalk guide covers everything you need before you go, starting with what this place actually is.
What the Pelling Skywalk Actually Is
The Pelling Skywalk is a glass-floored walkway in West Sikkim and is often referred to as India’s first glass skywalk. It was inaugurated on 1 November 2018. It stands beside a 137-foot (about 42 m) statue of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The foundation stone was laid in 2009 and consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama. So the complex offers the dual attraction of a spiritual landmark and a very modern thrill.
It is the most famous skywalk in Sikkim and is often referred to as the Pelling Glass Bridge by locals and travellers. It’s a short walk, around 50 metres by one estimate, but not in length. The idea is to look down. Which brings up the practical question everyone asks first about the skywalk people line up for.
Pelling Skywalk Ticket Price and Timings
Surprisingly, official figures are hard to find, and travel sites do not agree. Here’s the range we’re hearing:
| Reported range | |
|---|---|
| Entry for Indian visitors | ₹20-₹50 |
| Entry for foreign visitors | ₹50-₹100 |
| Opening time | 8:00-9:00 AM |
| Closing time | 4:30-6:00 PM |
| Best slot | 9:00-11:00 AM |
That gap is real. Hours and fees get updated, and sources lag. Please consider the above Pelling skywalk ticket price as a planning range and then confirm the current rate with your hotel or driver on the day.
Cash is good too. Small ticket counters in the hills don’t always take cards. Now the more important question than price: will you actually enjoy it?
Planning a visit to Pelling? Explore Sikkim Tour Packages → to include the skywalk in your West Sikkim itinerary.
Is the Skywalk Scary?
Honest? A few. That’s the fun part.
You are walking on transparent glass over a gorge, and somewhere afar, the rivers of the Teesta and Rangeet. If you have severe vertigo, this is not for you.
For everybody else, it’s doable: No hurry. Look at the horizon, not your feet, for the first few steps. Bring the kids. Supervise. Children are fine if there is an adult around. Sometimes visitors are asked to take off their shoes to feel the glass. Enquire at the entrance.
The Pelling Skywalk is like a thrill with training wheels. When to go to make it worth the climb? Now.
Best Time to Visit
The skywalk is open all year, but the view is not. September – November. The air is clearest after the monsoon, and Kanchenjunga is sharpest. That’s the sweet spot.
March through May. Another good window, good skies and mild weather. June-August. Often the peaks are hidden by monsoon cloud. The glass is still there, but the view’s gone.
Go to the Pelling Skywalk early, no matter the season. The quietest and clearest times are usually mornings between 9 and 11 a.m. By afternoon, the valley often fills with clouds.
And that view, by the way, is what you are really paying for.
Kanchenjunga From Pelling
Kanchenjunga is the headline act, with Pelling. The Chenrezig statue and golden prayer wheels in the foreground, with the third-highest mountain in the world filling the horizon on a clear morning. That’s the picture everyone wants. Buddha, glass, mountain, all in one shot.
Pelling Skywalk: don’t expect a guarantee. Clouds can come in minutes. Build in a second morning, if you can.
Next question: how do you get there?
How to Reach Pelling
There is no airport or railway station in Pelling. Most tourists fly into Bagdogra or reach NJP and take a taxi. Hill roads are slow, so allow most of a day from Siliguri or Gangtok. It’s a beautiful drive, so take in the scenery and don’t rush.
The skywalk is a short drive or taxi ride away from Pelling town. Your hotel can do it for you.
Got the day off? Here’s how to complete it.
Make It a Full Day
The Pelling Skywalk goes well with the sights nearby:
- Monastery of Sanga Choeling. A short walk from the skywalk, and generally quiet.
- Pemayangtse Gompa: Approximately 2 km from Upper Pelling.
- Rabdentse Ruins- The old royal capital, open from about 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Lake Khecheopalri. A holy lake, some 30 km away.
They turn a quick photo stop into a proper West Sikkim day.
Short, scenic, and good for the legs. If you are combining it with the Sikkim – Darjeeling circuit, this fits well into a single day in West Sikkim.
Who Should Skip It
Be true to yourself. If you are really afraid of heights, maybe the glass walk is not for you.
You can still see the Chenrezig statue and enjoy the Kanchenjunga view from the ground. Pelling skywalk is the add-on, not the trip.
Tips Before You Go
- Wear layers. Gorge winds can be brisk, so bring a windproof jacket.
- Photography is allowed, but no drones.
- Start early to beat the crowd and the afternoon cloud.
- Reserve in advance. Pelling completes the autumn peak.
- Check the weather on the night before your visit to the Pelling Skywalk.
Plan Your Pelling Skywalk Trip With Sikkim Darjeeling Tourism
The best skywalk day is a day well planned. The right taxi, the right morning, and a hotel close enough to start early.
Sikkim Darjeeling Tourism can assist you with:
- Kanchenjunga view hotels, preferably in Pelling
- Taxi transfers from Bagdogra, NJP, Siliguri, or Gangtok
- Flexible dates. Weather backup in the morning. West Sikkim add-ons including monasteries, Rabdentse and Khecheopalri
Ready to walk on glass over the Himalayas? So, plan your Pelling Skywalk trip and the Sikkim holiday around it. Contact Sikkim Darjeeling Tourism today.
Ready to walk on glass over the Himalayas? So, plan your Pelling Skywalk trip and the Sikkim holiday around it. Contact Sikkim Darjeeling Tourism by exploring our Sikkim tour packages → today.
FAQs
What is the entry fee for Pelling Skywalk?
The article lists a reported entry fee range of ₹20–₹50 for Indian visitors and ₹50–₹100 for foreign visitors. Actual charges may change, so confirm the current fee locally before visiting.
What are the opening and closing timings of Pelling Skywalk?
Reported timings range from 8:00–9:00 AM for opening and 4:30–6:00 PM for closing. Check the latest timings with your hotel or driver before setting out.
What is the best time to visit Pelling Skywalk?
September to November is highlighted for clearer Himalayan views, while March to May is another good period. Morning visits, especially around 9:00–11:00 AM, may offer better visibility.
Can you see Kanchenjunga from Pelling Skywalk?
Yes, Kanchenjunga may be visible on clear days. Mountain visibility depends on weather conditions, so a view is not guaranteed.
Is Pelling Skywalk suitable for children?
Children may visit with adult supervision. However, the transparent glass walkway may feel uncomfortable for visitors who are afraid of heights.
How do I reach Pelling Skywalk?
You can travel to Pelling by road from Bagdogra Airport, NJP Railway Station, Siliguri or Gangtok. From Pelling town, the skywalk is a short drive or taxi ride away.
