Most of the drive to Kalimpong from Siliruri is along forests fringing the Teesta River. Built into a steep gorge, the road overlooks this beautiful river as it rumbles and slides through the Himalayan foothills. About halfway, the graceful Coronation Bridge leads off to the east towards the Dooars, West Bengal’s picturesque tea country. Further upstream is Kalimpong.

Kilimpong’s altitude and location is ideal for a pleasant, relaxed getaway. Its clement weather has made kalimpong’s orchids and gladioli well renowned.

Kalimpong is off the usually trodden tourist track. Being somewhat in the shadow of Darjeeling and Gangtok, most tourist traffic passes this town by. This in some ways is Kalimpong’s. The town can make for an interesting offbeat break, especially if you enjoy walking. A local tour of Kalimpong can be crammed into one day’s jeep tour or 2-3 days of walking.

Nestled against the backdrop of the Eastern Himalaya, Kalimpong offers panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga Range the Teesta Valley and the town from the Durpin Dara and Deolo hills.

Gompa Romp

Amongst the monasteries doted along it verdant confines, the Thongsha Gompa or Bhutanese Monastery is the oldest, having been established in 1692. The original structure was destroyed in the inter-clan wars before the British arrived. Zong dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa was consecrated personally by the Dalai Lama in 1976. Built on the Durpin Dara Hill, it contains the Kanguyar in 108 volumes, brought by the Dalai Lema when he fled Tibet. The prayer room is adorned with wall paintings and there is a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs. Another excellent vantage point for snow views.

Raj Ramble

Kalimpong still evokes strong memories of the Raj, most evident in its colonial bungalows and old hotels. Built by British wool traders, most of them are located on Ringkingpong and hill top roads. These include the lovely Morgan House, Crockety, Galingka, Tashiding and Ringking Farm. Morgan House and Tashiding are now government-owned tourist lodges and are open to visitors.

Visitors are welcome at the famous Dr Graham’s Home situated less than an hour’s walk from the center of town, at the base of Deolo Hill. Some carry along a picnic for the trip.

Spend some Energy

The instense green of the Army gold Club the highest in West Bengal is a delight. The recently introuduced rafting on the Teesta is becoming a hugely popular adventure holiday option in the area. Rased 16 km from town in chitery, near Teesta Bazaar this excursion is a full-day affair and is do-able from mid-november to February. Hiking along the Teesta Valley is possible most of the year.

Around Kalimpong

Lava 34 km

This pretty mist-wreathed village is on the old trade route to Bhutan and is surrounded by virgin pine forests. It has a lovely monastery of Bhutanese origin and a Nature Interpretation Centre. Lava is also the starting point for trekking to the Neora National Park that leads further on to the 10,341 ft high Rache La trijunction of Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal. Views of the Chola Range from here are breathtaking.

Loleygaon also called Kapher is 25km from Lava along a lovely forest drive. It has beautiful forests and a viewpoint fro the singalila snows.

Route NH31 to Sevoke Coronation Bridge, NH31A to Teesta, state road up to Kalimpong.

Take the last winding bend on the mountain and feel pure exhilaration fill you being. Reminds you of those two British agents who were sent off to explore the region where present day Darjeeling is located, of how they must have cursed their superiors as impenetrable forests on steep mountainsides blocked their path at every step! Coming upon a spur on the ridge one day they were greeted by a stunning view of Darjeeling and the rapturous beauty of the Kanchenjunga Range, peeping out between the jungles of oak, pine and orchids. Alakazzam Darjeeling became yet another Raj hill station.

Darjeeling wears its “Queen of the Hill Stations” little a bit wearily. There are crowds and clutter there is a chronic water shortage there is garbage in the waterfalls and there are landslides in the monsoon. But they still come running the crowds. For Dorje Ling or place of the Thunderbolt remains just as alluring with its little village’s tiny waterfalls and even tinier toy-train track.

The hill town continues to be an important base point for mountain treks but its also got tea estates and monasteries.

Downtown Darjeeling

Chowrasta the town square is lined with shops restaurants, curio dealers and hawkers. It’s the perfect place to take the restless kids. Pony-wallahs will let you canter around for Rs 60 per hour or Rs 250 per day. Catch a bit of shopping or just soak in the views of Kanchenjunga.

High Mountain Grandeur

Kanchenjunga is omnipresent. Hotel rooms, cafeteria-seating lookouts on the chowrasta all are positioned to get the stunning views of one of the world’s most beautiful mountain peaks. Clothed in monsoon mists, there is always the off chance that a brilliant sunset may bring its elusive image in views. If not from October onwards you have unparalleled views of the entire range from dawn to dusk.

Ignore the tourist rush at Tiger Hill (8,382 ft). Instead concentrate on just soaking in the splendour when the peak shakes off the night to dress in the hues of a fresh dawn. Remember to get there before first light. The gold and orange vision on the horizon is worth it. Close by is senchal Lake, which supplies Darjeeling with its water from its 8,031 ft perch.

Chukkar

The Darjeeling Toy Train which UNESCO recognises as a world Heritage Railway from kurseong to Ghoom. Otherwise, just pop into the tiny rail museum at the miniature station to educate you on its provenance before hitting downtown Darjeeling.

The Kanchenjunga Range also looms large and beautiful from Bhan Bhakta Sarani further up. In the neighbourhood is the Observatory Hill, where most of the top-end hotels are. This is where the shrine of the Bhutia Busty Gompa once stood befor eit moved to near chowrasta and where a kali temple is now located, a site sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Around Darjeeling

Sandakphu 58Km, 11,929ft

The Darjeeling Manaybhanjang tonglu sandakphu trek with an extension to phalut is one of the most popular trekking trails. The trek is a feast for the adventurous eye, with its views of Kanchenjunga and other peaks in Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. In May and the early days of June the woods en route are radiant with rhododendrons magnolia primula and other alpine flowers.

The Sandakphu trekking trail is easily accessible fromKarmi Farm. Other adventure activities like mountain biking, river rafting, kayaking and motorcycle tours can also be arranged.

Route from Siliguri NH31 to Matigara, NH55 to Darjeeling.