JORETHANG TRAVEL GUIDE

Jorethang is a town in south Sikkim, which falls on the way to Pelling for many routes. It is situated along the Rangeet River, a tributary of the Teesta river. It is a town which has a higher literacy rate than the average literacy rate for Sikkim, and a big chunk of its population of 9000-10,000 is young. This makes it a unique town in Sikkim. It is located at an altitude of 300m, and is in the foothills of the Himalayas – one of the few towns in Sikkim which are not located in the hills.

Climate And Best Time To Visit

Jorethang enjoys a temperate climate, and is pleasant most of the year round. The best time to visit is the summer (March-June), though other seasons are also relatively pleasant.

Getting There & Getting Around Jorethang

Jorethang is well connected by road to all the major cities and towns of Sikkim. The closest airport is Bagdogra airport, and the closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri railway station. One can take a taxi directly from the airport or the railway station, or reach one of the main cities like Gangtok, and hire a taxi from there. Jorethang is located approximately 85km from the capital city of Gangtok (when traveling via NH10).

Sightseeing & Activities

Jorethang is famous primarily for its Maghe Mela, a cultural festival that happens in January every year. It is celebrated at the same time as Makar Sankranti, or advent of the Sun into the Makar (Capricorn) rash. It is marked by cultural dances from across Sikkim, setting up of stalls selling different artistic and traditional wares, and many other cultural activities organized on a large scale. It is a cultural extravaganza, which gives the locals and the tourists alike, a sneak peek into the cultural heritage and richness of the place. Some of the featured events are dance contests, para-gliding show, hot balloon show, beauty pageant, the Jorethang marathon etc to name a few. It is an agricultural fair too, and has been celebrated since 1955. It includes modern day entertainment as well, to tend to the huge crowds it draws.

Jorethang is also a good place for river rafting, trekking and short walks to nearby spots. It is advised to enquire about the best times for river rafting before making a trip, as the river water is best suited for river rafting in certain seasons.