Padamchen

Perched on a hill slope at 8000 ft and covered in dense forests, Padamchen is a small village on the Silk Route circuit just 14 kms from Rongli and 4 kms from Zuluk. Padamchen experiences a very pleasant weather throughout the year and this is one of the main reasons for its popularity. If you are not used to biting cold and snowfall but want to experience the mesmerizing sunrise, excellent views and winding roads and valleys of this Silk Route circuit, then staying at Padamchen could be a choice. Padamchen has some of the best views of the valleys and forests of this part of Sikkim and Himalayan foothills. The forests around Padamchen support a wide variety of bird population and bird watchers would love to spend a few days here. There is a heritage Forest Resthouse at Padamchen too. You can visit this forest resthouse to see the wooden floors, fireplace, verandah and wooden furniture from the forgotten days of the lonely Forest Officers and Sahibs who used to travel this way.

What to see in Padamchen:

Dense temperate forests surrounding the Padamchen village is home to a huge bird population like Laughing thrushes, Fulvettas, Honey Buzzards, Steppe Eagles, Babblers, Tits, Wrens and others. The deeper regions of the forest have occasional visitors like Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda and Leopards. While staying at Padamachen, you can go to watch the sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjungha range from Thambi View Point (around 18 kms away) at 11,200 feet. The beautiful Kuikhola falls is just a few minutes drive from Padamchen. You can also take a short trek in the forests of Padamchen and discover the trail of the original Silk Route through which the the traders used to travel on horseback for thousands of years.

Accommodation in Padamchen:

Some of the best home stays and village resorts of the Silk Route Circuit are located at Padamchen. Our homestays and accommodations are decked with all modern facilities like geysers and attached bathrooms but the best part is that all of them share some amazing views of the rolling mountains and forests.

Best time to visit Padamchen:

Padamchen experiences a pleasant weather throughout the year. The winters are not that chilling like the upper regions of the Silk Route circuit (Nathang, Lungthung or Zuluk) and the region experiences a lot of sunshine too. Padamchen does not experience snowfall but in deep winters (January to March) it’s quite chilling. The whole region around Padamchen experiences good rainfall and it is covered in forests. If you love bird watching, butterfly watching, great views and nice sparkling sub-Himalayan weather, then Padamchen is a good pick.