Nomad Saikat
Kalimpong is a pristine hill station located in West Bengal that is popular for its breathtaking views and the multiple tourist places. For people looking for some places to explore amidst natural beauty, Kalimpong can be a really good option for them. Located 50 minutes away from Darjeeling, Kalimpong is also one of the trending and popular tourist destinations at this point. However if you are tired of visiting overcrowded locations then you need to explore the offbeat places in Kalimpong. Also there are so many Kalimpong tourist places that are serene, calm and offer so much to the visitors. The Kalimpong offbeat places are newly emerging tourist locations that are not as crowded as mainstream locations. And the fact that there is less human intervention makes these locations even more alluring.
If you are a nature lover then the beauty of Kalimpong will win over your heart. But before planning a visit to this location you need to know what is famous in Kalimpong and which places are the ones that you must explore. In this article I will mention some of the best places to visit in Kalimpong in a day so keep on reading this article. This will be a helpful article for you if you are looking for places to visit in Kalimpong.
Kalimpong Tourist Places
Sillery Gaon
For people looking for offbeat places in Kalimpong this is an ideal location to visit. This is one of the best Kalimpong tourist places located in a small pristine village Pedong, in Kalimpong. What makes this location so alluring is its altitude of 6000 feet from the sea level. For obvious reasons the location offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding area and a special attraction is the view of Mount Kanchenjunga and other peaks. Another thing that makes this location attractive is the fact that the place has a very low population with only 25-30 families living here. This makes Sillery Gaon an untouched location with unhindered natural beauty. You can very well enjoy natural beauty at its best at a location like this and it is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kalimpong.
Also Sillery Gaon is popular as the New Darjeeling as it is getting popular as a tourist destination in recent times. The location of this place also makes it unique with Bengal in south, Sikkim in north and east and Nepal in the west. With lining off pine trees, chirping of birds, all encompassing views and pleasant breeze makes it a quaint hamlet waiting to be explored. Make sure you plan a visit to this location.
Pabong
This is again one of the best Kalimpong tourist places located 34 km away from the main town of Kalimpong. This is one of the offbeat places in Kalimpong located at a splendid altitude of 4700 meters. From here also you will be able to enjoy a gorgeous view of the whole area that includes the snow capped peaks of the mountains as well. The Neora Valley National Park guards this serene village and till today the Pabong village maintains a rustic charm. The place is devoid of any sort of commercial activities that further makes it stay close to nature at its best.
However it is also one of the emerging ecotourism areas in the Himalayan side and this rural hamlet is a paradise for nature lovers. Another thing that makes this location popular is its hiking and trekking trails. A lot of adventure enthusiasts particularly visit here to enjoy the adventurous trails here. You can surely plan a visit to the Pabong village to escape from the monotony of city life and get lost in serenity.
Deolo Hills
The Deolo Hills located at a distance of 10 km from the Kalimpong Bus Stop is one of the best Kalimpong tourist places that you can visit. It is the highest point of Kalimpong perched above 1700 meters. You can very well enjoy a bird’s eye view of the whole valley from the top of the hill and that is too exciting. However, for the best view the ideal time to visit here is during the sunrise. This location is also popular for various activities like trekking, paragliding, horse riding etc. Also this one is a popular picnic spot where people visit with their whole family to spend some time amidst the beauty of nature. You can surely explore this location if you are looking for Kalimpong tourist places to visit.
Silent Valley
The Silent valley is one of the popular Kalimpong tourist places located close to Sillery Gaon. It is only 5 km away from the Pedong Bus Stand. This is a serene location where you will be able to listen to the sound of nature. With the chirping of birds and rustling of wind the place becomes even more thrilling to explore. You will also be mesmerized by the lush greenery here that spreads across and goes as far as it can. It would be captivating to sit back here and observe the beauty of nature. Local residents here say that once Silent Valley was originally a pond. And even today during the monsoon the area turns into a small pond. You can definitely think of exploring this beautiful location in Kalimpong the next time you are visiting there.
Thongsa Gompa
This is a monastery and what makes it special is that it is the oldest Bhutanese Monastery. The establishment year of this beautiful monastery dates back to 1692. The Thongsa Gompa is one of the popular Kalimpong tourist places and if you are visiting Kalimpong you must visit here. The ambience of this location is serene and calm. Also this monastery is the ideal place for meditating. So if you are looking for a spot to spend some time meditating or introspecting, you must visit here.
Neora Valley National Park
The Neora Valley National Park is one of the best places to visit in Kalimpong. This is one of the popular Kalimpong tourist places that you must not miss out on. The Neora Valley National Park is one of the richest biological zones in the whole of eastern India and spreads across 88 sq km. Established in 1986 the park got its name from the Neora River that flows here. The Neora National Park is extensively popular for its rich flora and fauna. You can find Bay Woodpecker, Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Golden Throated Barbet and much more here. And amongst flora oak, bamboo, ferns, sal etc are common here. The lush greenery here is captivating to explore so once you visit Kalimpong make sure you explore this national park here.
Morgan House
Built by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan this is a beautiful mansion that dates back to the 1930s. This structure still stands tall as an example of colonial architecture and heritage in Kalimpong. However what makes this location one of the popular Kalimpong tourist places is the fact that people here believe that this location is haunted. At present however the West Bengal Tourism Department has converted this mansion into a lodge for the tourists. Located on top of the Durpin Dara Mountain it is 3 km away from Kalimpong. You can surely visit this location and enjoy the thrill and excitement of staying at a location with legends and horror stories associated with it. Certainly it can be one of the most thrilling and exciting parts of your exploring of the town of Kalimpong.
Chuikhim
This is a very small village located in the southern side of Kalimpong above a height of 3500 feet above sea level. The pristine village spreads across a thin water stream the Leesh Chu River over the hill. It is a very less populated village with only 250 families. This is one of the Kalimpong tourist places that rose to the limelight just suddenly. Some travelers just discovered the beauty of this location and therefore this is becoming a location that tourists are visiting these days. Also the area is a paradise for bird lovers and bird watchers. The area attracts varieties of birds and you can spot them here very easily.
Moreover the location is also popular for its beautiful trekking trails and the adventure lovers love it. You can trek around the village through the Chel forest and it can be one of the most exciting activities here. Chuikhim basically lies in between Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Just 24 km above this village there lies the Lava Lolegaon villages which are also popular sightseeing spots in Kalimpong. So you can definitely plan a trip to these offbeat places in Kalimpong.
Hotels in Kalimpong
The region of Kalimpong is well equipped when it comes to accommodations. You will find multiple good quality Kalimpong hotels, resorts and homestays here for a decent and comfortable stay. Some of the popular ones that you can check out here are
- Kalimpong Inn
- Seven Hills Homestay Kalimpong
- Hotel Classic Kalimpong
- Wind Home Kalimpong
- Fortune Resort Kalimpong
- Hotel Mountain View
- Kalimpong Sunrise Inn
- Hotel Paradiso
- Sikher Guest House
- Himalayan Hotel
Wrapping Up!
A location like Kalimpong is something that you should not miss exploring as it has so much to explore already. In this article I have mentioned some of the best places to visit in Kalimpong in one day. I am sure now it will be easier for you to plan your itinerary when you visit Kalimpong. Make sure you explore both the offbeat places in Kalimpong as well as the popular Kalimpong tourist places. The beauty of this location is something that will win over your heart and you will be totally melted by the beauty here. So tell me when you are planning a trip to this pristine location? Also let me know if this particular article of Kalimpong tourist places is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
