Hill Station

DARJEELING – Darjeeling, once the summer gateway for the British from the hot and humid Kolkata, is the most popular holiday destination among Bengalis. Aptly crowned as the “Queen of Hill Stations”, Darjeeling offers a picturesque view of the Himalayan panorama, Kanchenjunga peak, tea gardens, beautiful valleys and the historical toy train. Situated at the altitude of 2134 meters, with minimum 1.50 C in winter and 14.9 C in summer, Darjeeling is also a trekker’s paradise. Tiger Hill, about 11km from Darjeeling is the highest and most visited hilltop at a height of 2573 meters for viewing the sunrise. Ghoom Buddhist Monastery nearly 8 km from Darjeeling, Batasia Loop, Sanchal Lake near Tiger Hill also come in the package of Darjeeling’s captivating natural beauty. Other places of interest are : Darjeeling Rangeet Valley, Passenger Ropeway, Zoological Park, Botanical Garden, Happy Valley Tea estate, Dhirdham Temple, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Observatory Hill, Natural History Museum, Lebong Race Course , Tibetan Refugee Centre,etc. The best season to travel is from April to middle of June and September to November. Accomodation Hotels,lodges and guest houses are available to suit every class of tourists. AIR: Bagdogra Airport, 96km from Darjeeling has direct air services with Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati and other places. RAIL: New Jalpaiguri Siliguri ,station the base of hill area, has direct railway link to Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and other parts of the country . ROAD: Darjeeling is well connected by road with Kolkata, Shiliguri, Gangtok, Kalimpong. MIRIK - Mirik, a hill station just 50kms far from both Darjeeling and Siliguri, is fast becoming a popular tourist destination pertaining to it’s picturesque locale and virgin valleys. Nestling in forested hills at an altitude of around 1,767 m. and caressed by the river Teesta, the man made Sumendu Lake is the major tourist attraction of this hill resort. Since it's also the town's sewer it might not be wise to swim here. There is a promenade around the lake and it also has an interesting 80-feet-long arched over bridge. The place and its surroundings are best for picnics, fishing and boating. Orange orchards of Mirik are the largest producers of this fruit in this state, cardamom plantation and tea estates also add to the beauty and serenity of the place. Superb view of the mighty Kanchenjunga is another attraction. A trek or simple stroll amidst these gardens is an enriching experience. Though heavy woolens are required in winter, tropical or light woolens are enough for summer.
Accomodation: Though small hotels are available here but most tourists make a day long trip to Mirik from Siliguri and return by evening. AIR: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, 55 km away. RAIL: The broad-gauge railhead is New Jalpaiguri at 60 km. Siliguri (metre gauge) is 52 km. The toy-train stations nearest to Mirik are Ghoom (41 km), Kurseong (46 km) and Darjeeling (49 km). KALIMPONG- If Darjeeling is slated as the Queen of the Hill stations then a spontaneous outcome is that Kalimpong is the quite little ‘Princess of the Himalayan Kingdom’. Situated about 51kms from Darjeeling and at an altitude of 1250 meters, Kalimpong is juxtaposed between the Deolo and Durbindra hills. It is an ideal getaway from the crowd of the cities and popular tourist destinations. Places of Interest: Flower Nurseries-Orchid growing Nurseries, Pine Wood, Shangrila and Universal Nurseries, Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery and Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery are worth visiting. Dr. Grahams Home : Dr. Grahams Home a splendid school was founded in 1900 situated on the lower slopes of Deolo Hill. This school is surrounded by large playgrounds and a beautiful is situated chapel above the school. Sericulture Research Institute: This institution is located on the Darjeeling Road. At this institution silkworm are bred and silk is produced. Teesta Bazaar Located sixteen kilometres from Kalimpong where the road divides for Darjeeling and Siliguri, Teesta Bazaar is becoming a favoured centre for white-water rafting. It is possible to tackle the rapids between 15 November and 15 February. For more information contact: DGHC Tourism, Teesta, Kalimpong (Tel: 03552-62261) DGHC, Silver Fir Bldg., The Mall, Darjeeling (Tel: 0354-54879/214).
Lava, Loleygaon & Kaffer Lava, situated 30 km east of Kalimpong, is a small village with a Kagyupa Gompa. A good time to pay a visit to this town is Tuesday, which happens to be market day. One can also see thesummit of Kangchenjunga from Kaffer and is best viewed at sunrise. Loleygaon is popular for it,s natural wild orchid collection and green-view. Samco Ropeway If you like to feel the rush of adrenaline and the blood race through your veins then Samco Ropeway is tailor-made for you. You should head for this chair lift installed by the Swedish as part of an aid program to help villagers crossing the Teesta River.. The ropeway, barely 30 m above water, is one the main Siliguri-Gangtok road, at a place known locally as the 27th mile. To get there catch any Siliguri bus from Kalimpong. Accomodation: Apart from beautiful hotels and cottages, government nd forest bunglows are also available. AIR:Nearest airport Bagdogra ROAD:Buses and jeeps ply regularly between Kalimpong Loleygaon, Lava and is well-connected to Darjeeling and Siliguri. KURSEONG Kurseong is situated 51kms north of Siliguri and 30Kms from Darjeeling at an altitude of 1458 meters (4860 feet).Kurseong is known as the place of White Orchids. It enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. Places Of Interest Eagle'sCrag - 1km up hill from Kurseong Railway station, a sunset view from the Eagle'sCrag is an unforgettable experience. At the summit there is a Tourist complex with a Garden and observatory and also Netaji Kothi "Once a summer home of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose but now a Ruined Bulding". Makaibari Tea Estate - Nearly 4kms from town there is beautiful Makaibari tea Garden. St.Marry's Hill - 4Kms from Kurseong Railway Station a beautiful hill surrounded by deep woods having a statue of "Jesus and Marry" and John's Church is also located there.
OTHER PLACES - Forest Museum, Ambotika Shiv Mandir, Baggaura, Chimney, Namshu picnic spot, Downhill, Kettle valley and the TV Tower. Trekking Kurseong Town - ST.Marrys-Deorali-Chimeny-Kurseong(8kms). Kurseong Town - Signell Tea Estate-Cafebari-Rinchngton Power Station-Namshu picnic spot-Kurseong(8kms). Kurseong Town - Forest School-Downhill school-Kurseong(8kms). Transport and Communication AIR: Nearest airport is Baghdora,60Kms away from Kurseong ROAD: Kailmpong is connected by road with calcutta 651Kms and by Guwahati RAIL: Kurseong itself a Railway station on the New Jalpaiguri-- Darjeeling narrow gauge line through Toy train.