Tucked away in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas (northern region of West Bengal), overlooking the Teesta River, Kalimpong is a quaint little hill town. Kalimpong is one of the favourite weekend gateways in North Bengal. To reach this hilly gateway, you have to reach Siliguri first. From there travel by the serpentine roads to reach your destination.
Kalimpong's share in Colonial History
Kalimpong is located at an elevation of 4101 ft and offers a spectacular view of Mt Kanchenjunga.
Kalimpong had a very low population before the British made it their summer retreat. Also, its strategic location was an added benefit for trade. The increase in trade subsequently led to the influx of population from the surrounding region. Before the Sino-Indian War, Kalimpong used to be the trading point for Tibet and India.
There are many fine educational institutions built during the British Colonial period, which are still operational today are one of the best ones in the regions. Dr Graham's Home is the most notable one.
While this small town has a rich history, the present-day Kalimpong has flourished and presents the best of a hill station to tourists. From pleasant weather, a wide-angle view of surrounding hills, Buddhist monasteries to nurseries, Kalimpong is a treat in itself.
How to reach Kalimpong from Siliguri
The easiest way to reach Kalimpong or rather the only way to reach Kalimpong is by road. This is because of the terrain and lack of other means of transport.
The nearest airport to Kalimpong is Bagdogra (Siliguri). And the nearest railway station which has train connectivity to the rest of India is New Jalpaiguri station. There are however a few small stations that might get you a bit closer to Kalimpong, but they only have local trains and time-consuming. In short, the hassle is too much, so pick the fastest, easiest and also the most cost-effective way.
After you land at the Bagdogra airport or the NJP Railway station, you will find shared taxis waiting. BARGAIN. They will charge you exorbitantly at first. So be ready. The best way, start at 50% less than what they quote. Also, try to look out for locals heading the same way. If you are travelling in a group then book a cab, the per head cost, will be manageable. On the other hand, if you are travelling solo and are a budget traveller then opt for the shared ones.
In all, it takes around 2 and a half to max 3 hours to reach Kalimpong from Siliguri(approx distance 70 Km). The time usually depends on the traffic and the road condition. This is because the roads suffer due to landslides or falling rocks which creates road blockage.
Best time to Visit Kalimpong
You can visit Kalimpong at any time of the year. The weather is cool and fresh and a must mention no air pollution. This is the point that is sure to make any city dweller crave for a vacation there.
But it is best to avoid the monsoon season (July-September) for 2 reasons.
Firstly, incessant rain and then it gets cold.
Secondly, the landslides that happen mostly during the monsoon season. They cause accidents, roadblocks and huge delays.
So unless it is necessary, leave the monsoon season alone.
Places you must visit in Kalimpong
Although it is a small hilly town, it still has places for you to enjoy. There are quite a few, I have listed the ones which are major tourist attractions in Kalimpong:
1. Deolo
The centre of the Kalimpong town sits on a ridge that connects the Deolo and Durpin Hills. The highest point in Kalimpong is Deolo Hill with an altitude of 5591 ft.
With its massive height, Deolo hill offers a complete view of the valley below. Although the views are subjected to the amount of cloud cover over the surround areas.
Deolo Park is a beautiful place to relax as well as walk around. There is a wide range of flowers and plants all around the park. It even has the paragliding option for adventurous spirits.
2. The army golf course at Durpin
While the admission to the golf course itself is restricted, no orders are preventing you from viewing it from outside the boundaries and take as many pictures as you want to. The lush green landscape offers panoramic views of the golf course.
3. Monastery
The Zang Dhok Pairi Phodang Monastery or commonly known as the Durpin Monastery is the most famous in Kalimpong. The visiting Dalai Lama consecrated it in 1976.
There are many rare scriptures in the Monastery and the paintings on the monastery wall are simply beautiful. From the top floor of the Monastery, you can get an all-round view of the surrounding hills.
4. Pine View Nursery
Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries. There are many nurseries all over Kalimpong. The most popular one among them is the Pine View Nursery.
The Pine View Nursery has the largest collection of Cactus in entire Asia with over 1500 species. In addition to cactus, This nursery also has a huge collection of other flowering and non-flowering plants. Succulents and bonsais are also present and one can even buy them from there.
5. Explore the markets
There is one word, which describes the markets of Kalimpong aptly, that is fresh. Every product is fresh and mostly organic. The bi-weekly market locally known as the haat brings out the best of the local produce.
The flower market is another thing you should not miss. The variety of flowers is sure to entice every flower lover.
Also, in between checking out all the markets, do not forget to try the steaming hot momos and other local delicacies like thupka (also some Nepalis and Bhutanese dishes).
My Personal Experience
My trip to Kalimpong was short and sweet. It was a full-day trip starting from Siliguri. The journey took around 3 hours from Siliguri. The roads were fine at this time of the year(late-October). The occasional halts for taking a photo or enjoying a plate of momos on the way extended the journey.
The journey through the hills was beautiful. The road curved and went on roundabouts and gave glimpses of pine trees and surrounding hills. The green waters of the Teesta river were perfectly complimenting the scenery. The leaves were in tune with autumn, a mix of green and brown strewn all over the road.
I must mention here that, although I made a day trip, good hotels are available here. So if you want to stay for a day for two, it won't be any problem. You can even make online bookings. Also, as it is not a large area unless you have extra days in hand and want to spend them at your leisure, a 2-day trip is enough for Kalimpong.
The first stop was pine view nursery, then Golf Course at Durpin and later the monastery. It was already lunchtime by then. There are many cafes, small restaurants one can try. Momos were available everywhere so in case you are fond of momos then this would be the right place for you.
Post-lunch, its time for our last stop, the Deolo Hill Park. It was a treat for the eyes. It was almost evening by the time we reached there. The sun was low in the sky and the hills all around were spectacular. Paragliders were flying out, one colourful parachute after the other. The Deolo resort showcases very beautiful architecture. This place is perfect for walking around and every corner is ready for an Insta worthy photo.
Kalimpong is somewhat less commercial and slow-paced than Darjeeling. It still has a lazy vibe around it. Although the market area is full of hustle-bustle, you can still find peace and solitude in it.