West Bengal’s Kalimpong is one of those underrated mountain destinations that has been overshadowed by the more bustling and popular Darjeeling. If you want some more peace and a lot less traffic and crowd, Kalimpong is the place to be at. There are a number of cute homestays and colonial-era buildings to admire. By Karan Kaushik
Here’s everything you should know before planning your mountain trip to Kalimpong
The destination
At the Himalayan foothills in West Bengal, Kalimpong is a picture-perfect hill station. Much like its popular sister town, Darjeeling, but less explored, Kalimpong amazes visitors with a mix of natural beauty, history, and vibrant culture. While the magnificent Mount Kanchenjunga and other snow-capped peaks make you stop in your tracks, the hills of Durpin and Deolo on either side of the town pave the way for adventures. River Teesta flows nearby, adding to the interesting topography. Once an important town on the Trans- Himalayan trade route and in British India, Kalimpong is dotted with monasteries, churches, and old houses. A thriving horticulture industry makes this ‘bazaar town’ all the more beautiful.
The way
By air
Bagdogra International Airport, 70 km from Kalimpong, is the nearest. Many domestic airlines offer good connectivity between Bagdogra and major Indian cities.
By road
Kalimpong enjoys good road connectivity with New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, and Gangtok. It is best visited from New Jalpaiguri, 73 km away.
By rail
The nearest railhead from Kalimpong is New Jalpaiguri. Taxis and buses for Kalimpong are easily available. It takes around 2.5 hours to reach Kalimpong from New Jalpaiguri.
Things to do in Kalimpong
Deolo and Durpin Hills
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Renowned for its panoramic views, Buddhist monasteries, and colonial-era buildings, Kalimpong is a mixed bag of history, culture, and nature. The Deolo and Durpin Dara hills offer incredible views and adventures like paragliding, trekking, and horse riding. Located in the northeast of Kalimpong, Deolo Hill is the highest point of the town and offers incredibly stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Cactus Garden
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Visit Cactus Nursery, one of Kalimpong’s biggest commercial nurseries, to admire rare species of orchids and cacti set against the backdrop of imposing mountains. One of the finest of its kind in Asia, the nursery is home to almost 2,000 varieties of cacti and succulents.
Durpin Monastery
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Durpin Monastery provides a peek into Buddhist and Tibetan cultures with its exquisite architecture, Tibetan paintings, and a rare collection of Buddhist texts. Also known as Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa, the monastery houses as many as 108 volumes of the Kangyur and other holy books and scrolls that were brought here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
St Teresa’s Church
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In June 1924, Fr Jules Douenel arrived at Kalimpong to be the Chaplain to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny and built St. Teresa’s Church in 1931. It’s one of the oldest and largest parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Darjeeling. The church is an interesting example of how Bhutanese gompa architecture can be incorporated into a cathedral. Notice the wooden apostles, that are reminiscent of Buddhist monks. Similarly, the wooden carvings on the doors will remind you of the symbols of Himalayan Buddhism.
Neora valley trek
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Imagine walking through verdant greenery with soft sunlight sieving in, trying to make its way through the mesh of thick green canopy; occasional squeaks from the wildlife and the omnipresent scent of the mountain filling up the air. The Neora Valley trek from Kalimpong gives a glimpse of this untamed wilderness that envelopes the Himalayan foothills.
The trek goes through the pristine forests of Neora Valley National Park. Spread across an area of 88 square kilometres, it reaches an elevation of 3,200 metres in the north while in the south it borders the forests of Jalpaiguri that connect it with the famous Chapramari forest, Gorumara National Park.
Best time to go
There’s always a good time to visit Kalimpong, thanks to its pleasant climate. However, the best time to visit Kalimpong is from March to May and September to December.
Feature and hero image courtesy: Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Kalimpong is known for stunning valley views, Buddhists monasteries, age-old churches, and Tibetan handicrafts.
Answer: No, they are not. It takes around 2.5 hours to reach Kalimpong from Darjeeling. While Darjeeling is a bustling hill station with touristy charms, Kalimpong is a quaint hilly hamlet.
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