Kalimpong: The Beautiful Place with Beautiful People!
As a person grown up in’the Himalayan Kingdom’, I had a privilege to visit mountain place many times, but never I had got such opportunity to explore the place like of this time. In the first week of January 2014, though I had gone Kalimpong to attend my friend marriage, I could visit this place like nothing before. With my close friends around, it was a best vacation spent and Kalimpong as one of the best place I ever visited in recent time.
Let me give you short introduction of town.
Kalimpong, situated at above 4000 feet(1200 meter) from sea level. So one way, it is a hill town which lies in Northern part of West-Bengal. Unlike Darjeeling city which has mostly tea farming, Kalimpong doesn’t have tea farming, but it is equally rich in natural scenario and culture. The town that was once part of Bhutan has Lepcha as its most of inhabitants and Tibetan people as migrants resident, but it was widely known for quality education hubs since mid nineteen century. People of here mostly Speak’Nepali’.
How to Reach?
Though there is no direct connection of airways/railways to Kalimpong, people won’t be having much difficulty in reaching the place.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra from where Kalimpong is 80 km far while the nearest railway station is New JalpaiGuri(Silguri). So, we can get a sharing four wheeler small vehicle which takes about INR 120 - 150. Buses are also available in lower cost, but former one takes to destination bit earlier. If you get no traffic in mid-way, you can reach Kalimpong town within 150 minutes.
Through out the journey:
Within fifteen minutes of leaving Silguri, you will find beautiful forest on both sides of highway. After another fifteen minutes, you can see river Teesta for another 30 kms. River is deep, large and also blue in its water color. But these days, its water is still and mud-polluted as dam are being build. Else the moving water itself would be wonderful to look at. After crossing Teesta river, we need to travel through hills. Its fun in traveling itself.
Staying at:(Accomodation)
There are lots of hotels available within the main town itself. The room cost per day starts from INR 300 for two people room and it may vary according to quality of hotel you seek. So, Staying in Kalimpong won’t take much of your money. It is economical.
While it was a freezing cold in Darjeeling, Kalimpong weather was tolerable. It will neither be hot in summer time, but because of hilly areas being everywhere, Monsoon keeps affecting the city and its road.
Places to visit at:
River Relli.
It is situated in lowest part of Kalimpong. Other than of Monsoon where water level is expected to rise, It is a good place for hangout with friends. We were about 10 friends to visit the place and even in first week of January, the climate was beautiful. The bank of river are best for picnic spots. You can even use this surrounding for photography. But to reach this place, you may need to book a cab for entire day or according to plan of your stay. Near by dhabas are cheaper for lunch though they are limited in number.
Durpin.
It is not so much farther from Kalimpong town. The place is called Durpin because you can see the beauty of town through a pair of binoculars. You can witness beautiful sun-set from here. It is colder place than town side and the wind blowing here can give you tough time. It is advisable to see this place at evening time at around 4 pm so that you can see sun set. *Nearby Durpin, there is monastery and army area with beautiful houses. At night, with light, they look fabulous.
Dello hill:
About half an hour drive from Kalimpong motor stand, you can reach the highest point of Kalimpong town. This is one of the beautiful place which you must visit when you go Kalimpong. From here, you can see almost every part of hill. It is maintained as park and there is a nominal entry fee of Rs 10. Even I myself was amazed to see beautiful scenario and mountain seen from this top. You can see till far and far and yet you won’t get exhausted.
Either you are in romantic date with your partner or you are with your family/friends, the place is worth to see. Coming out of Dello Park, you will find Kalimpong Science Center and also Cross Point. For those who want adventure in this trip, you can have paragliding. I am sure, when you jump from 2000meter high, nothing can be thrilling than this. While coming back to Motor Stand, you find Dr. Graham Homes Institution. Dr. Graham Homes is one of the oldest institutional area build by British. They indeed hint the early civilization of the town. You can give a glance look once.
Kaffer.
It is about 2.5 hours drive from Kalimpong. You might say what is the need to visit this place, but let me tell you, Kaffer is the place where you can see the pure view of Kanchanjungha. Yes, the world 3rd largest peak. If it is a sunny day, you get’No any obstacles’, what you enjoy is the beautiful Kanchanjungha. Though from many open areas of Kalimpong town, we can see this mountain, but seeing it in Kaffer has its own importance. Once again, Sunrise/sunset will tempt you to visit this place again and again. Similarly, there is a place called LAVA which is famous for its scenic beauty. It is about 40 minutes far from Kaffer, you shouldn’t miss it.
Moreover, there are many places which you may not be able to visit all at one time. Interact with people of town, have some shopping and try few of its dishes. Though these dishes can be available in many other places too, you may not get as tasty as you get here. Let me mention few of them.
Thupka:
It is a type of noodles, which people steam at first and fry according to their taste and need. Having Thupka at Kalimpong will be enjoyable. They are very cheap, from INR 30 per plate onwards. Fill your tummy through it. Also try Nepali Noodles Wai-Wai.
MoMo:-
You might have eaten MoMo many times in your place, but I believe, your visit to Kalimpong will be incomplete if you don’t take few plate in this town. They come with soup, still they are cheaper than you get in your place. Choose from any of the flavor of veg or non veg.
Non-veg Dishes:-
You find there meat of many animals. Personally, I have never tried other than chicken/goat, but for those who have option, you can try buff, beef, pork and others.
Chhurpi:-
Chhurpi is one of dairy products of yak milk. It is hard substance and may look weird to you. But make small pieces of them, chew it for some time and enjoy its taste. Have some more and bring it for your friends. There are also other yak milk products which you must try.
Tibetan Dishes:
As there are many Tibetan people, you can try Tibetan dishes. Have some fun and enjoy many more dishes. Also you can find oranges in tree itself if it is winter season, enjoy them
Give some time for shopping and carry away the home made handicrafts available in town. Even if you are in a vacation of a week, you won’t spend much. You may spend more from transport, but still that is economical.
Keep Enjoying and Keep Visiting!
Let me know your views if you have visited this place.
Regards,
Suraj.
My rating 4 out of 5 for this town.