Kalimpong
The Teesta River flows through the West Bengal town of Kalimpong, which is located 1,247 meters (4,091 feet) above sea level on a lonely slope in the Himalayan foothills. Mount Kangchenjunga can be seen beautifully from the town’s location (the third-highest peak in the world). However, a large part of Kalimpong’s attractiveness is that tourists frequently ignore it in favor of more well-known locations like Darjeeling and Gangtok in Sikkim. However, there is a lot to offer those who want to avoid crowds and are interested in nature and adventure. Utilize our comprehensive Kalimpong travel guide to organize your vacation.
Location
In the far northern region of West Bengal, close to the Sikkim border, Kalimpong is nestled between the Deolo and Durpin hills. Driving time from Darjeeling is around 2.5 hours, while the driving time from Gangtok in Sikkim is about 3 hours.
How to Travel
Bagdogra, in West Bengal, is the closest airport to Kalimpong and is slightly under three hours away. Approximately 2,600 rupees will be spent on a cab from the airport to Kalimpong. As an alternative, New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal is the closest significant railway station and is around 2.5 hours distant. From there, you may take a shared jeep or a private cab to Kalimpong for around 200 or 2,200 rupees, respectively. Although Siliguri Junction railway station is closer and has fewer trains, it also offers taxis and shared jeeps to Kalimpong. Another transportation choice from both of these locations is buses run by the North Bengal Transport Corporation.
They have greater legroom than shared jeeps and leave every hour or less, so they are worth taking into consideration. Self-drive enthusiasts may rent a car from Zoomcar in Siliguri. A private cab from Darjeeling to Kalimpong would run you roughly 2,700 rupees. There are also shared jeeps available.
Places to visit in Kalimpong
Deolo Hill
The highest point in Kalimpong is Deolo Hill. From here, which is 1700 meters above sea level, you can see the city, the neighboring valleys, and the river in its entirety. There are also options for paragliding and horseback riding here. However, paragliding is not an activity you can engage in during the monsoons.
Dr Graham’s Home
Dr. J. A. Graham established this missionary institution as an orphanage and school for underprivileged and abandoned Anglo-Indian children. It had only one cottage when it first opened, but it has since expanded to become a coeducational institution with close to 50 cottages. You are welcome to come by and explore the campus. On the road to Deolo Hill, there is a house owned by Dr. Graham.
Morgan House
Formerly a British home, Morgan House is an outstanding example of colonial architecture. At the moment, it serves as a hotel managed by the West Bengal Tourism Department. It features a sizable, expansive garden. You can enter the property and go about the grounds, but you are not allowed to go upstairs. Interestingly, it’s said that Morgan House is haunted. It is rumored that Lady Morga’s ghost still resides in the home. Well, the ivy-covered stone walls and the nearby pine trees definitely give it a spooky atmosphere. Additionally, it makes a fantastic setting for certain ghost stories to be recounted during the monsoon because of the lingering mist.
Durpin Monastery
The monastery is named after Durpin Hill, where it is situated. Zang Dog Palri Monastery is another name for the institution. It was constructed in 1972 and includes several Tibetan scripts that His Holiness the Dalai Lama brought with him. You may enjoy fantastic views of Kalimpong town and the Kanchenjunga mountain from the monastery’s terrace (if the weather remains clear).
Nathula
You feel adventurous after visiting Nathula Pass, one of the highest peaks in India. A stroll around MG Market at night makes you feel revitalized. This tour is jam-packed with excitement, breathtaking scenery, and joy. It never ceased to impress me on this journey. On our vacation, every day was interesting and brand-new. You should at least once in your lifetime travel to Sikkim. All I could think of after the trip was going back to extend my stay. After the vacation, a different type of energy entered the living.
Buddha Park
A stunning statue of Sakyamuni Buddha may be found at Buddha Park. It is located close to Ravangla in southwest Sikkim. The park area is exquisitely designed, providing plenty of room for walkways, gardens, and tourists to relax in the peaceful surroundings.
Nathula Pass
Nathula Pass, 52 kilometers from Gangtok and at an elevation of 14,140 feet, served as the historic Silk Route’s passageway up until 1962. This was formerly a trading route connecting Tibet and India. Silk, gold, and many other commodities were once transported by lines of mules from Tibet to India and vice versa. A few meters away is the barrier that separates India and China, and you can see both Chinese and Indian soldiers manning the border. Friendly guards are present. The border may be reached by stairs. This is not a “no man’s land.” Even now, there are still specific days of the week when mail is delivered across the border. There is a stone with engravings here named the Nehru Stone that commemorates the 1958 visit of former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Attention: The air quality in Nathula is particularly poor due to the area’s high altitude. At Nathula, few people—adults or kids—can experience respiratory issues.
Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery, also known as the Dharma Chakra Center, is one of the most significant Buddhist institutions of the Kagyu lineage after Tibet. It is situated in eastern Sikkim, India, at a height of around 1547 meters above sea level. His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, the 16th Karmapa, the charismatic head of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism, resides in the monastery, a copy of the Kagyu headquarters in Tibet. The 16th Karmapa repaired it after finding it in ruins when he got here after escaping Tibet. It was initially erected by the 9th Karmapa. The monastery serves as a significant spiritual and educational hub.
Singshore Bridge
Many additional Indian Buddhist monasteries since then have used the traditional Buddhist pattern for the architectural style and layout. A shrine temple, monastery, retreat center, monastic college (Shedra), nun’s dormitory, Stupas, as well as several other community administrative facilities and other religious organizations, make up the complex. It is Sikkim’s biggest monastery. The remains of the 16th Karmapa are housed in a Golden Stupa.