Uttarey in West Sikkim

Uttarey is a small yet serene village just about 30 kilometres driving distance away from Pelling. Uttarey situated at an altitude of 6,600 ft is very close to the Nepal border. Apart from natural beauty, the stunning view of Kanchenjungha from Uttarey hills will leave you mesmerised.

Matter of fact almost 22 trekking routes are starting from Uttarey including Singalila Trek, Varsey Trek, Dzongri and Goecha la Trek. Trout farm is another interesting place to visit just 2 km away amidst greens. If you wish to explore nature more closely you may trek for 5 more km from the Trout farm to visit Mainebass waterfall surrounded by virid forest. If you are lucky enough you can spot a Red Panda as well. Uttarey is 140 km from Gangtok via Ravangla and Pelling and 160 km from NJP via Rinchempong and Hee.

Popular Sightseeing Attractions

There are a plethora of sightseeing attractions you will get to see in and around Uttarey. The major ones are-

The Titanic Park

Opposite the main market, a ship-shaped building resembles the famous ship Titanic situated. Though you can't go inside as the building is closed still you can pose for photography standing in front of it.

The Kagyu Gompa

Nearby Uttarey village amidst dense forest is a monastery known as The Kagyu Gompa. Situated on a hill this 1711-made monastery is among the oldest monasteries of Sikkim. It will take 10 to 15 minutes to get there. The wonderful wall paintings, the breathtaking view of the Dentam peak and the rivers around along with the serene location of the monastery make it worth visiting.

Mainebass Waterfall

Hidden within lush green Rhododendron and oak forests, Mainibaas is a stunning waterfall that cascades from nearly 250 feet. Located 7 km away from Uttarey, its unique sound and fresh air are unmatched. To the right, a large stone cliff with wild bee hives adds to the area's charm. "Maain" means "wax," and "baas" means "place to halt" in the local language, reflecting an old tradition where locals used bee wax for grooming.

Mainibaas is a great spot for bird watching, with many local and migratory birds adding to the beauty of the place. The area also boasts a wide variety of plants and animals, including the Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Serow, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Large Indian Civet, Leopard, and Hairy Brown Squirrel.

Tenzing Hillary Memorial Park

A recent addition to Uttarey's sightseeing list is the Tenzing Hillary Memorial Park. Inaugurated in 2015 the park consists of two statues of two great climbers Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. The stunning view of Mt. Kanchenjungha will thrill you once again.

Trout Farm

Merely 2 km from Uttarey, there is a trout fish farm. Here, trout fish are grown by run by the state's directorate of fisheries in several large cemented ponds. Surrounded by lush greenery and hills, the farm provides a tranquil atmosphere to its visitors so that they can spend some quality time exploring the farm and the nearby areas.

Transportation Options to Reach Uttarey

By Train- NJP is the nearest railway station to Uttarey at an approximate distance of 155 kilometres. If you are travelling by train, your stop should be New Jalpaiguri (NJP).

By Flight- If you are flying to Bagdogra, the nearest airport to Uttarey, there are no direct buses or shared jeeps available from the airport. You need to first go to Siliguri to rent a car.

By Road- Direct vehicles to Uttarey are not available from NJP and Bagdogra Airport (IXB). You need to get to the Siliguri SNT bus stand. From there, you can take jeeps to Uttarey and Jorethang. If direct jeeps or taxis aren't available, go to Jorethang first and switch vehicles there.

Accommodation Options in the Village

Resorts, hotels and homestays are the modes of accommodation options available to stay in Uttarey. The accommodations here in the village provide all the basic amenities required for a comfortable stay. You can opt for North Bengal Tourism's customizable Sikkim Tour Package to book the finest accommodation at the best price.

Best Time to Visit in Uttarey

The best time to visit Uttarey is during the months of March to May and then again from October to November. Throughout these months the weather remains blissful and there is a rare chance of rain. Hence, visitors can then explore the village to the fullest.