Getting there:
By Air:

The nearest airport is Bagdogra (80 kms) 3 hours drive. Bagdogra is presently connected to New Delhi, Guwahati and Calcutta, by Indian Airlines,Air Deccan and Jet Airways.

By Rail:
The nearest railheads are Siliguri 66 kms (metre gauge), and New Jalpaiguri 80 kms (Broad gauge), which connect you to all parts of India. 2 1/2 hours drive.

By Road:
66 kms from Siliguri, 79 kms from Gangtok, 51 kms from DarjeelinAll reachable under 3 hours. Connections to Bhutan and Nepal.
From New Jalpaiguri, Bagdogra, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Gangtok, taxis, share taxis and buses are available at regular intervals.

Visitors can spend at least 3 to 4 days based in Kalimpong.

Kalimpong Places of Interest - Around Town

Panoramic snow views:
Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu, Paunhari, Lama Anden, Chola, Nathu La, Jalep La and Gymochen peaks. Best view points are Durpin Dara and Deolo Hill-top.

Thongsha Gumpa:
Oldest Gumpa built during the Bhutanese period, in 1630.

Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang (Durpin) Monastery:
is five kms from the city and was established in 1970 and consecrated personally by the Dalai Lama in 1976, it contains the Kanguyar, in 108 volumes, brought by the Dalai Lama when he fled. This Gompa has impressive wall paintings in the prayer hall and a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs. Excellent view point of Himalayan peaks and valley views.

Tharpa Choling Monastery:
Belongs to the Gelukpa (yellow-hat) sect of Buddhism. Built in 1937.It is located on the Tirpai Hill about half an hours walk uphill from Deki Lodge

Nature Interpretation Centre:
Operated by the Forest Department, focuses on flora, fauna and local people interacting with ecology.The Cenre is located in the Forest Office Complex close to town.

Colonial Bungalows:
Built by British wool traders during the "Raj" period, located on Rinkingpong and Hill Top Roads. These include Surya Sadan, Crockety, Galingka, Morgan House, Tashiding, Ringking Farm. Of these, Morgan House and Tashiding, now Government Tourist Lodges, can be viewed.

Army Golf Club:
Hewn out of a hillside, to keep officers fit for high altitude soldiering. Excellent angle for photography of Durpin Monastery from 3rd Green.

St.Theresa Church:
Built by local craftsmen to resemble a Gumpa, it has wood carvings adorning the walls, depicting biblical scenes, in which personalities resemble Buddhist monks. An interesting example of Tibetan influences.

Flower, orchid and exotic flora nurseries:
Gladioli, orchids, cacti, amaryllis, anthuriums, roses, gerberas, dahlias and other exotic plants are grown in a number of flower nurseries in Kalimpong, mainly for export.

Mangal Dhaam:
This Hindu Temple is a marvellous piece of architecture. The temple has been built in the memory of the late Guru Shree 108 Mangal Dasji. The samadhi of the Guruji is located within the temple.

Dr. Graham's Homes Campus:
Started in 1900, by Rev Dr. John Anderson Graham as an institution to house and educate offspring of British planters and local women, it is now a public School. Of interest are original buildings and chapel. The School celebrated its Centenary Year in 2000.

Deolo View Point:
Atop Deolo Hill at 1914 metres. Excellent 360 degrees, panaromic views of the Himalayan snow peaks, Kalimpong town and the Teesta Valley.The beautiful Park on the hill top with the Horse & Yak rides is the added attraction. The Hill Council tourist lodge is also located here.

Kalimpong Bazar: Best explored walking. Shop for Buddhist Thankhas, hand-beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lanterns, copperware, hand stitched clothing, Khukris, local handicrafts and local cheddar-type cheese and lollypops.Market days(locally called 'Haat')falls on Saturdays and Wednesdays when villagers from surrounding villages flock to the market square to sell fresh vegetables,diary products and handicrafts.

Hanuman Mandir & Durga Temple: Located behind the Deolo Hill on the mountain ridge with spectacular views of Sikkim Hills and Darjeeling on one side and Kafer Hills and the Relli Valley on the other side is the Hanuman Mandir with the towering imposing Statue of the Hindu mythical god Hanuman and the Temple of Hindu goddess Durga in its vicinity.

Guru Rimpoche statue :
Located quite close to the Durga and Hanuman Temples is also the newly built tall statue of the revered Buddhist God, Guru Rimpoche.

Kalimpong Science Centre : One of the most interesting attractions of Kalimpong in the recent past. Situated just behing the Delo Hill Top, it is a must-visit tourist and educational spot. The Centre has a good collection of scientific instruments and applications used in our day-to-day life which are very interesting. Alongside in the Centre Comples is a fun park with statue replicas of Dinosaurs and host of other things to play and enjoy. Scenice views of Kalimpong town and the Himalayan Peaks can be seen from here.

 

Description
Kalimpong is a hill station close to Sikkim & Darjeeling. It is 3 hrs drive from Bagdogra airport. The flight from Delhi takes 2 hrs and from Calcutta 1 hr. Ideal for a quiet vacation, with interest in nature, hiking, Buddhist monasteries, and tribal culture. It is a good base for forays to Sikkim and Darjeeling and high altitude treks. English is understood by a large percent of people.

A small but bustling town in the Himalaya foothills of West Bengal, Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1250 meters. This bazaar town was originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and finally it became a part of West Bengal. Kalimpong is famous for its monasteries, churches and a private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan languages, culture etc. This place also has the Sericulture centre and the orchid nurseries, and of course the place provides some beautiful sights of the Himalayan range. The journey from Darjeeling to Kalimpong through the Lopchu and Peshoke Tea Gardens, and later along the Teesta River, is breathtaking

Things to do:

  1. Local Tour: A full day's Jeep tour covers all the sights. These can also be enjoyed over two days of walking.
  2. Inner Town & Bazar exploration: Two half days can be spent in walking the bazar and shopping.
  3. River Rafting in the Teesta takes a full day.
  4. Samco Ropeway Excursion: A full day's Ropeway crossing, nature walk and river pool swimming and picnic.
  5. Flower Nursery Tour: Visiting selected Nurseries takes a day or two, depending on whether you drive or walk.

Kalimpong also offers some good items to be purchased. Kalimpong is famous for tapestry bags and purses, copperware, scrolls and paintings from Dr. Grahams house. Shops selling Tibetan Jewellery and art effects can be found in the streets to the east of Dambar Chowk.

Kalimpong - Places of Interest - Out of Town

Pedong:
A small town on the border with Sikkim and 24 kms from Kalimpong, it has a monastery built in 1837, of Bhutanese origin.

Lava:
34 kms away, hidden in mists and clouds, at an altitude of 2,350 Metres, this small village, on the old trade route to Bhutan, is surrounded by virgin pine forests. It has a lovely monastery of Bhutanese origin and a Nature Interpretation Centre. Popular for nature exploration and bird watching. It is also the starting point for trekking to the Neora National Park, which is a storehouse of flora, wildlife and leads to the 3,152 metre high RacheLa tri-junction of Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal, with a panoramic view of the Chola Range.

Lolegaon:
Also called Kapher, is 25 kms from Lava, along a lovely forest drive. It has a heritage forest and a view point for snow ranges of Singalila Range.

Samthar Plateau:
Scenic and remote plateau, at an elevation of 1,400 metres, it is 80 kms from Kalimpong, and 45 kms from Lava. It has breathtaking snow views of the entire range, superb sunrise and sunset, picture post card hamlets, exotic flora, forests, mountain streams, river pools "far from the maddening crowds". Popular for nature holidays, walking tours, angling, mountain biking and nature and cultural explorations on foot.

White Water Rafting in Teesta River:
The main drainage of Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling region, it is only 14 kms from Kalimpong. It provides nature walks and river rafting, from base at Chitrey, near Teesta Bazar. Short rafting trips of about a couple of hours are organised by the DGHC Rafting and a number of private rafting agencies based in Chitray & Melli. You have to be in a group of atleast4 to 5 persons to do the trip. The popular rafting trip starts from Melli bridge and ends near Geilkhola. Other adventure trips are also done for those who dare.Rafting trips can also be organised from Kalimpong through the offices of these rafting agencies in town.

Paragliding over the Kalimpong skies:
To fly in the Himalayas is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the beauty of Kalimpong from the sky.The scenery and the flying conditions makes the flight a memory for your life. Try tandem flights with experienced pilot from Europe. Himalayan Eagles Paragliding has pioneered and introduced the ultimate adventure of paragliding in Kalimpong. Arrangements & booking of Paragliding trips can be made at Deki Lodge also. 

Things to do:

  1. Pedong & Lava/Loleygaon: A 2 to 3 days holiday to live with nature, walk the forests, relax, and see the sunrise on the Chola Range.
  2. Neora National Park: A 4 day trek through forests and exotic flora of the National Park, climbing up to the 3,152 metre high RacheLa tri-junction, to view the Chola Range, followed by a nature and culture exploration of the Rishi Valley, remote waterfalls, is an experience to remember.
  3. Samthar Plateau: 3 to 4 days Nature holiday, offers options of easy walks, treks to hidden valleys, fun and frolic at river pools and cascades, exploration of forests, village lifestyles, bird and butterfly watching, meeting people, song and dance, or just relaxation. Can be enjoyed by jeep, riding mountain bike or by trekking.

 

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