In 1860, the British sent an expedition to Sikkim. When the force reached Rinchenpong, the Lepchas (the original inhabitants of Sikkim) used herbs to poison the water of a pond, the only source of water in Rinchenpong, thus killing half the British forces and forcing them to retreat.

The pond was christened Poison Pokhri and is one of the earliest examples of bio-chemical warfare. It can still be seen but the small, almost dry water body is nothing impressive. But don’t be disheartened - the mountains in Rinchenpong are fascinating enough.

If you wake up early in Rinchenpong, you will be greeted by a spectacular sunrise on the Kanchenjunga and its sister peaks. One by one Kanchenjunga, Rathong, Kabru, Kumbhakarna, Pandim and the other peaks will catch the crimson rays of the rising sun, turning the entire massif into a bright shade of red.

Apart from great mountain views, Rinchenpong has something more to offer. A series of winding stone-paved trails leads one past Lepcha traditional houses and old British forest bungalows to ancient monasteries housing rare idols. The trail passes through a beautiful forest, with the snowy peaks of the Himalayas towering above the treetops.

Fluttering prayer flags and young lamas welcome you to the Rinchenpong monastery, which also doubles up as a lama training centre. Built in 1717, the monastery contains a rare idol of Ati Buddha in Yub-Yum position, which shows Buddha in a meditating position with women embracing him.

Bidding farewell to Rinchenpong monastery, you can follow a jungle trail to a staircase leading to Resume monastery, run by two young lamas. Unfortunately it is in a rundown state but its location on a ridge-top overlooking the sleepy hamlet of Rinchenpong affords a grand view.

If you follow the steps downwards you can take a short diversion to a traditional Lepcha house. Built in the original Lepcha style, the house doubles up as an artefacts shop. From here it is a short walk along the metal road past Poison Pokhri to Rinchenpong bazaar.