Yuksom

Yuksom means the meeting place of three superior ones, and it refers to an event in 1642 when three lamas from different directions met here and consecrated Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal of Sikkim, making this the country's first capital. The Norbugang throne, a stone seat under a pine, marks the spot, with a stone chorten said to contain earth and water brought from across the region. Dubdi monastery above the village, of 1701, is the oldest in Sikkim. The village is also the trailhead for the Goecha La trek toward Kanchenjunga, which takes about a week through Kanchenjunga National Park.

History

The name means "meeting place of the three learned monks": tradition says three monks from Tibet chose Phuntsog Namgyal here as the first king of Sikkim and gave him the title Chogyal, "religious king", and in 1642 Yuksom became the kingdom's first capital. He was crowned at the Norbugang Chorten, and Sikkim's first monastery, Dubdi, was founded here in 1701 (Wikipedia, Yuksom).

What's there

• The Norbugang throne - the stone seat where the first Chogyal was crowned.
• Dubdi monastery - Sikkim's oldest, of 1701, reached by a forest climb.
• The trek trailhead - the start of the Goecha La route toward Kanchenjunga.
• The village - a quiet settlement with homestays and a coronation site.

When to go

March to May and October to December for trekking; the monsoon closes routes with leeches and landslides, and winter brings snow at altitude. Permits for the trek must be arranged in advance.

Things to know

The Goecha La trek requires permits, a registered guide and porters, and reaches over 4,900 metres. Yuksom itself is small with basic homestays. Landslides regularly cut the road in.

Nearby

Pelling lies south; Kanchenjunga National Park is north.

Key facts