Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, Kalimpong is the destination for your holidays where you can spend couple of days at a stretch easily. This busy bazaar town is situated on a saddle-shaped mountain ridge overlooking the Teesta river and Mt. Kanchenjunga, world’s third highest peak. The experience of the Himalayas, peaceful Buddhist monasteries, colonial-era architecture and a fascinating nursery industry, Kalimpong has many things to offer to its visitors.
Activities
Sightseeing tour: Enjoy a day long local sightseeing tour to the places of interest in nearby areas. This sightseeing tour program can be customized to your needs. Some of the places of interest are Durpin Dara, Deolo Hills, Flower Nurseries, Thongsa Gompa, Tharpa Choling Monastery, Durpin Monastery, Golf Course and many more.
Day excursion to Namchi: Enjoy a day long local sightseeing tour from Kalimpong to Namchi (Sikkim) and enjoy the places of interest in nearby areas. This sightseeing tour program can be customized to your needs. Some of the places of Interest are Samdruptse, Solophok Chardham, Sai mandir, Temi Tea garden, etc.
Day excursion to Loleygaon: A day long excursion trip to nearby Lava, Loleygaon, Sillery Gaon villages will refresh your mind. These tiny and beautiful villages will definitely win your heart at the first sight. You can get gorgeous view .of Kanchenjunga from this places.
Day hike: You can go for soulful explorations like nature walk and short hiking trip around Kalimpong. Short hiking trip to nearby Durpin Dara-Samthar busty could be a nice way to spend your day and experience the rural culture of this area.
Trekking: More adventurous visitors can go for a multi-days trek in the surrounding hills. The Rachela Top trek or The Neora Valley Trek is one of the lesser explored trails in this region. The trek pass through the dense forests of the Neora Valley National Park near the Indo-Bhutan border.
Mountain Biking: Lace-up your sneakers, wear helmet and seat on a mountain bike – you can explore this place on pedals. There are few quiet tracks where you can enjoy mountain biking overlooking Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Paragliding: Soar into the sky while you para-glide over the scenic beauty of the Kalimpong. The beautiful Teesta river looks amazing from this birds eyes view. The take-off point is at Deolo Hills, one of the best view points in Kalimpong which offers superb views of snowy Himalayan peaks.
Places to Visit: Dello Hills, Durpin Dara, Lava, Lolaygaon, Sillerygaon, Rachela Top, Neora Valley National Park and many more.
Travel Guide
Weather
The general temperature in Kalimpong stays cold all time. During summer, mercury hardly crosses 22°C in daytime and during the night it stays around 12°C. The average temperature for Kalimpong is 14°C during winter. This place never gets snowfall but gets a good amount of rain during monsoon.
Local Words
Generals greetings and words: Welcome greetings: Namas-tey, Yes: Hoon-chha, No: Ney-he, Little bit: Ali-kati, Thank you: Dhan-ya-baad, Road: Raas-taa, Shop/Store: Doo-kaan, Market: Baa-zar, Medicine: Daa-wai.
Food and Drinks: Hot water: Taa-to Paa-ni, Cold Water: Chee-so Paa-ni, Rice: Khaa-naa, Lentils:Daal, Vegetables: Sab-jee,
Emotions: Good (Food): Mee-tho, Not Good (food): Mee-tho chha-e-no, Good (Places, things): Daa-me, Not Good: (Place,things): Daa-me Chha-e-no.
Time: Morning/day: Bee-yan, Evening/night: Bel-ka.
Relationship: Elder-brother: Daa-joo, Brother: Bhaa-e, Elder Sister: Dee-Dee, Sister: Ba-hee-nee.
Getting here
The nearest airport name is Bagdogra airport (IXB). It is well connected with Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and metro cities of India.
The nearest railway station name is New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP). It’s well connected with Delhi, Kolkata and other metro cities of India.
Kalimpong is well connected by roads with West Bengal and rest of the India.
Permit
Indian and foreign tourists don’t need any permit to visit this place. For further query please contact us.
Custom
In Kalimpong while visiting in any religious place please remove your footwear before entering into the main temple. Also it is advisable to wear modest clothes while visiting any religious place. People will happily pose for a picture but please ask them before taking any picture.
*Please note that in local tradition while a guest is leaving they offer Khada (scarf) to their guest as a sign of good luck. If they offer you such then please close your palms together to reply as a thank you gesture.
Safety
In Kalimpong people have deep respect for not only towards tourists but for each other also. But for any safety concern you can share your query with local police station (dial 100 only) or reach to the nearest tourist information center.
Health
You won’t find any mosquitoes here in Kalimpong. Due to alpine climate tourist generally doesn’t get sick. But if you are allergic to plants and pollen then take precaution. The local hotels and restaurants serve safe drinking water but if you are not sure then you can buy packaged drinking water almost at every place.