Darjeeling – Kalimpong Tour

DARJEELING (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council) in northeast India provides the perfect ambiance of a hill resort with its mild climate and laid back charm. Its verdant hills and valleys are steeped in color, and are interspersed with vast stretches of lush green tea gardens. Presiding over all these is the 8,586 m Mount Khangchendzonga looming over the northern horizon, giving a magical aura to the land that entices thousands to its environs and leaves all the senses intoxicated.

Darjeeling is hemmed in by Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. Darjeeling town, Kalimpong and Kurseong are the major urban centres. Heavily influenced by British India, Darjeeling still carries imprints reminiscent of its colonial past. The toy train is one of the most striking examples of Darjeeling’s British Raj influence.

DARJEELING TOWN
Darjeeling town (population 83,000 and elevation 2,134 m) is located on a spur with houses hugging the hillside. The places to visit are Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants; Mall Road, starting and finishing at Chowrasta, for a leisurely stroll amidst peaceful surroundings and splendid views; Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding center and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a training center for mountaineers which also houses the Everest museum’ Natural History Museum, with its fine display of Himalaya wildlife; Observatory Hill which has Hindu and Buddhist Shrines; Dhirdham, a pagoda style Hindu temple; Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, a major center for the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods; the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutia Busty, Thupten Sangag Choling(Dali) and Yiga-Choling (Ghoom); Batasia Loop, a marvelous feat of railway engineering; Tiger Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Khangchendzonga and the eastern Himalaya; Japanese Peace Pagoda, established by the Japanese Buddhist order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and Lloyd’s Botanical Garden which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora.

Visitors can also take a ride in the Darjeeling-Rangit valley passenger cable car or hop on the toy train which wheezes and winds all the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling town via Kurseong.

AROUND DARJEELING
KALIMPONG(pop.45,500) is a sleepy little town situated at an altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.

The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old scriptures, and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Bhuddhist temple; Parnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can be views; Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda; Delo View Point for magnificent views: and Kalimpong famous flower nurseries.

LAVA – LOLAYGAON
Lava is situated at a height of 7200 ft. and is 101 kms from Siliguri via Kalimpong. The beauty of this quiet and romantic place lies in its dense forests of Berch, Pine and Juniper and the variety of orchids. While at Lave, enjoys a day’s outing to the fascinating Chhangey Ralls (12 kms from Lava) with 2 Sunrise points viz. Ghanti Dara and Tiffin Dara, Lava Monastery, Nature Interpretation Centre. If you are a little adventurous you can take a 12 km trek to Jelepa and Rachela pass situated on the Trijuntion of Sikkim,Bengal and Bhutan.

Just 24 km from Lava, at 7012 ft, Lolengaon offers wondrous views of the peaks of Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Kabru, Jana Siniolchu, Kang, Talung, Kaumbhakarna, Dome, Jupuno, Narsing and Simvo.

Rishap at 8500 ft. is a small hamlet at tri-junction of Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan and it reached by a 9 km jeep able road from Lava. You can also reach there by a 3 km trek from Lava. Over viewing Neora Valley National Park and with spectacular 360 degree views of snow clad peaks & passes (Mt. Khangchendzonga, Nathula, Jelepa), Rishap is a real treat for tired eyes and souls.

KURSEONG (elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little town about 30km to the south of Darjeeling on the way to Siliguri.

The market consists of rows of shops lining the main road which is crisscrossed at several points by the railway tracks of the toy train. The places to visit are Eagle’s Crag which has a park from where glorious views of Khangchendzonga on one side and the southern plains on the other can be taken in; Dow Hill which has the forest museum, Deer Park a water reservoir, all set amidst moss-laden conifers; and Chimney, a serene, open meadow.

MIRIK (elevation 1,767 m) is another tiny hill resort easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or Darjeeling. The center-piece of the town is the Sumendu Lake where boating under the serene gaze of Khangchendzonga makes for a most relaxing pastime. Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara are two elevated points near the lake from where the view is terrific. Apple orchards and tea gardens are other attractions.