Start walking from
Yuksom
Sikkim’s first capital and the trekker’s gate.
- History
- First capital, 1642 coronation
- Trailhead
- Dzongri-Goechala trek
- Permit
- Trek permits via registered agencies
Yuksom is where Sikkim began: the Norbugang coronation throne marks the 1642 crowning of the first Chogyal, and monasteries sit in the forest above the village. For trekkers it is the trailhead of the Dzongri-Goechala route into Kanchenjunga National Park.
Quick answers
Yuksom at a glance
Why is Yuksom famous?
It is Sikkim’s founding capital and the start of the Kanchenjunga trek routes.
Practicals
Permits & season
No ILP, but protected areas (Nathula, North Sikkim beyond Mangan) need permits arranged through registered agencies ahead of travel.
March to May for rhododendrons and clear skies, October to December for the sharpest views; the monsoon closes high routes.
When to go
Plan around these months
Nearby
Close enough to combine
Things to do
What you're here for
Norbugang throne
The stone coronation seat under old chortens.
Kathok lake
The footprints-and-prayers lake above the village.
Journal
Read before you go
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Explore Yuksom
Facts checked against the official Sikkim tourism portal · Last verified 2026-09-26