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Khecheopalri Lake
 State
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Sikkim, in the north eastern state of India.
Best time to Travel :
March to late May, October to Mid-December.
Location :
Khecheopalri Lake is located at a distance of 24 km from Pemayangtse
Surrounded by dense forests and hidden in a mountain bowl 33-m to the northwest of Pelling, Khecheopalri Lake, known as the "Wishing Lake" is sacred to the Lepchas.
Legend has it that if a leaf drops onto the lake's surface a guardian bird swoops down and picks it up, thereby maintaining the purity of the water. Another tale tells that Khecheopalri Lake and Kathok Lake in Yoksum are female and male counterparts and were once neighbours. However, villagers gave more importance to Kathok and neglected Khecheopalri dumping rubbish there and destroying her sanctity, causing her to relocate in a huff to a more salubrious and less inhabited area.
Trekking
Khecheopalri village and Gompa on top of the ridge provide excellent views of Mount Pandim and there are several sacred caves scattered through the hills. Guides to these caves and to Yoksum, Tashiding and Pelling can be arranged through the Trekker's Hut. The trail to Yoksum is around 9-km and takes three to four hours. Stock up on snacks from Ghezing market or some of the small stalls in Pelling.
Journey to Khecheopalri Lake in Sikkim
Khecheopalri Lake in Sikkim is easily approachable from Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. You can easily reach Gangtok via Siliguri or Jalpaiguri, both in West Bengal, India. Pemayangtse, which about 24 km away from the lake is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing, about 140 km from Gangtok, capital city of Sikkim.
Airport : Nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal( 124 kms.), from where scheduled flights operates to and fro from Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati. The Bagdogra airport is connected to Gangtok by a helicopter service operating between Gangtok - Bagdogra - Gangtok.
Railhead : Two nearest railway station are at Siliguri (114 km) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km) stabilizing link to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Lucknow and other important cities in India.
Road Transport : Gangtok is connected with all weather mettaled road with Siliguri, Kalimpong, Gangtok etc. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is connected by all weather road to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and also to all the District headquarters within Sikkim. There is a motorable road from Pemayangtse right up to the lake area.
Private Taxis, Jeeps and Landrovers ply regularly on the Gangtok- Siliguri Highway and are available for transfer of passengers between Gangtok and Siliguri/ New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra, and also for local sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Gangtok.
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