Kalimpong and surroundings Tour

Kalimpong is located at an average elevation of 1,250 metres (4,101 ft) which is a hill station in the Indian state of West Bengal.

• DAY 1

  Arrive in Kalimpong

  Check into Hotel Stroll / Visit to market area or at leisure

• DAY 2

  Local sightseeing

  A day tour of Kalimpong can be divided into a morning session and an afternoon session. Each session will be approximately of 4 hours duration. Morning session: Visit Mangal Dham, constructed in memory of the late Guru Shree (108) Mangal Dasji and dedicated to Lord Krishna. Devotees, especially of the Pranami Dharma, come from far away places. Close by Mangal dham is the Mary Mother of God Church. This is a Roman Catholic Church and the frescoes on the wall of the Church depict are unique in that they depict the infant Jesus and and Joseph and Mary in local costumes and their faces are depicted in local features. Dr. Grahams Homes, founded in 1900 by Rev. Dr. J.A. Graham, a Scottish missionary. This institution was established as an orphanage-cum-school for destitute Anglo-Indian children. It is now a renowned regular co-educational school situated in a 500 acre campus. Dr. Grahams Homes can be visited on the way to Deolo Hill, the highest point within Kalimpong municipality area (elevation approximately 1650 metres) which provides a 360 degree panoramic view. The Kanchenjunga massif is to the north, beyond the hills of Sikkim that rise from the river valleys. A fantastic birds-eye-view of Dr. Grahams Homes, Kalimpong town and Durpin hill can be had from here. The Tourism Department has developed a sprawling eight-acre park with exotic and local flora. There is a Deolo Tourist Lodge with a regular restaurant catering to visitors. Children can avail of pony rides here. One can spend several hours at this spot picnicking or just lazing around and soaking in the view and pure mountain air. Sherpa Taar or Sherpa View Point on the way to Deolo hill is a watershed from where you see the mountains descending to the hills and river valleys below. On the southern side is the Relli river valley with Kafer and the hills of Samthar plateau. On the North is Sikkim and the Kinchenjunga panorama. A Durga Mandir (Hindu temple) as well as a viewing gallery has been built here. Just near the Durga Mandir a Hanuman Mandir has recently been constructed with a gigantic statue of Lord Hanuman. Just before these places of worship an impressive statue of Lord Buddha, serene in the lotus position has been consecrated with a landscaped rock garden in front. Good place to take photographs. One can arrange for lunch at the Deolo Tourist Lodge before embarking on the afternoon leg of the Kalimpong Tour. Afternoon session: The post lunch tour takes you to the western side of Kalimpong. Commence sightseeing after lunch visiting Nature Interpretation Centre a museum run the Forest Department which depicts nature of the Kalimpong region. Rishi Bankim Park is a well laid out spot for taking a leisurely walk. Army Golf Course a nine hole golf course overlooking beautiful views of the mountains. Visitors can play a round of golf here by paying a special fee. Just opposite the Army Golf Course is an old and imposing mansion built Durpin Monastery a Tibetan temple belonging to the Yellow Hat sect of lamaism, Morgan House, Gouripur House are heritage houses with Morgan House converted into a hotel run by West Bengal Tourism Department., Rishi Bankim Park is a small but well laid out Park, Pine View Nursery where one can marvel at the Cacti & succulents and many flowering plants. Back to Hotel after enjoying sites of Kalimpong.

• DAY 3

  Excursion to Damsang Fort

  Morning departure for a half hour drive to the ruins of Damsang Fort dating back to 1690 followed by a visit to Pedong town and Rikissum view-point. Jeeps take one close enough to the Damsang Fort and a fifteen minute walk through a lovely wooded area of Rhododendrons and other native trees and shrubs brings one to the ruins. After touring the ruins a drive to Rikissum to take in the fabulous views. This is also the spot where an ancient Bhutanese monastery stood. A drive into Pedong Bazaar culminates the excursion by visiting an old Bhutanese monastery, Sangchen Dorjee Gumpa built in 1780, an old Lepcha house in Kashyong and some heritage sites. On the return trip stop by at Algarah and take a half hour walk to Jhandi Dara (6,800 ft msl) from where one can get a panaromic view of Kanchenjunga and the surrounding snow capped Himalayan mountain range. You can also catch breathtaking sunrise and sunset scenes from this point.

• DAY 4

  Rafting in the Teesta

  Post breakfast departure for Chitray, 14 km. (a half hour drive) downhill from Kalimpong which is the starting point for river rafting. The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Tourism Department and some private entrepreneurs conduct three-hour rafting trips on the river Teesta. Trained river guides using the utmost safety norms take you on a very memorable white water river rafting experience especially for first timers and children. Late afternoon departure for Hotel.

• DAY 5

  Memorable View Points

  Morning departure for Teen Chuley View Point, Eco-Tourism Village, Ramitay View Point, Cross Hill View Point. These view points provide panoramic views of the magnificent Himalayan snow peaks and valleys and forests and rivers. Excellent opportunities for photography so carry that extra roll of film. Evening return to your Hotel

• DAY 6

  Picnic by the Relli River

  Numerous picnic spots on the sandy banks - Kalimpongs very own beach- of the Relli River. One can take along a picnic hamper or sample some local cuisine available in small eateries and a Wayside Inn managed by the Tourism Department. Indulge in a swim or just simply explore the banks and hunt for garnets among the rocks (some of gem quality) or just bask in the sun surrounded by nature. Return to Hotel in the evening

• DAY 7

  Lava & or Lolay-gaon excursion

  Whole day Excursion to Lava with a visit to the Tibetan Monastery at Lava and a drive to Lolaygaon where you can walk among the tree tops on a specially built tree-top pathway. Late evening drive back to Kalimpong and your Hotel

• DAY 8

  At Leisure / Shopping

  Pick up those souvenirs, momentos and knick-knacks, local handicrafts. Great shopping for those into Imported Clothes and Perfume While planning your itinerary be sure to keep aside half a Saturday or Wednesday. On these two days, Kalimpong hosts a haat or market day where in an open air market one can shop for seasonal fresh vegetables, goats, chickens, village products of all type, clothes, shoes, ethnic foodstuff and you ll have to visit to see all that is displayed. You might want to try out the local cuisine during your stay in Kalimpong. Momos will be high on your list of eatables. You can get them with mixed vegetable stuffing, soya-chunk stuffing, chicken stuffing, succulent pork stuffing and mutton stuffing with aromatic juices that just linger in your taste buds.