I looked out of the window at the beautiful scenery that unfolded like a painting as we drove on the NH31A, the road that was the lifeline of Sikkim. The river Teesta flowed languorously down below as we snatched occasional glimpses of her curving shape whenever there was a gap in the thick vegetation that engulfed the route. The green cover lent a magical emerald tint to the river. Little monkeys sat on the fringes of the road, patiently waiting for a passing car to stop so that they could beg for food.
“The monkeys have become lazy, they have left the forests and wait by the roadside for alms”, said our friend, guide and driver Budesh with a grin.
It was not good for the ecological balance of the earth and one should not feed the monkeys was the thought that welled up in my mind as we ground to a halt by the side of the road. No, we had not reached our destination as yet.
The tantalizing view of the Teesta was irresistible and we had to stop to click a few pictures.
The Teesta river originates from the Tso Lhamo lake which is situated at an altitude of 5,330 metres in the Himalayan ranges of Northern Sikkim. The river meanders through Sikkim and the hills of West Bengal to finally merge with the Brahmaputra river at a place called Fulchori in Bangladesh.
This was our first foray into the North Eastern part of India and we had a heavenly experience. We had spent some wonderful days in Darjeeling, West Bengal before heading to the North Eastern Region of India. We had relaxed for a couple of days in the veritable paradise of Pelling, Sikkim. The beauty of towns like picturesque Ravangla, Sikkim had wowed us and the thrill of adventure in Nathu La, Sikkim had enraptured us.
We were now moving towards the last destination on our itinerary. The days had gone by like a sweet dream and we were savoring the last couple of days in heaven before we returned to reality. Kalimpong in West Bengal was to be the last halt, where we would spend a couple of days before heading back to Bagdogra to catch our flight back home.
Table of Contents
Kalimpong Sightseeing – Best Places to Visit in Kalimpong
It was late afternoon as we drove up to Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a small town that is perched on a ridge that overlooks the Teesta river on one side and is flanked by the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges on the other. It is situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level.
As we drove through the winding roads of Kalimpong, children dressed in smart uniforms were trooping out from school. Elsewhere smartly dressed soldiers of the Indian Army drove past in shining jeeps.
Kalimpong is known for its educational institutions, some of which date back to the British Raj and is also home to the Indian Army’s 27 Mountain Division.
Horticulture is an important aspect of Kalimpong as is evidenced by a large number of nurseries that dot the town.
Kalimpong Attractions
Pineview Nursery
Pineview Nursery is definitely one of the places to visit in Kalimpong. It has some amazing varieties of Cacti.
The Nursery was a quite an enchanting place with cacti that exuded a wild beauty and looked dangerously irresistible with their thorny exteriors.
The Nursery also offered some great views of the town of Kalimpong that stretched below picturesquely. So when you are in these parts do not miss going to the Pineview nursery, one of the most interesting places to visit in Kalimpong.
Durpin Monastery or Zong Dong Palri Fo-Brang Monastery
The ridge on which nestles the town of Kalimpong connects two hills known as Durpin Hill and Deolo Hill.
The Durpin Monastery stands on the peak of the Durpin Hill at an altitude of 1,372 meters and affords some spectacular views of the Deolo Hill and Kalimpong town.
Monks of all ages and sizes dressed in their maroon habits swarmed the monastery when we reached there. It was apparently time for the evening prayers and they were rushing to the temple from their living quarters within the monastery. The atmosphere was electric and full of positive vibes as the monks chattered and laughed, smiling at us and each other, seemingly free from the stresses and worries that burden lesser mortals like us.
The Durpin Monastery was consecrated by the Dalai Lama himself and has some invaluable religious scripts that include the 108 volumes of the Kangyur which are the translated words uttered by the Buddha himself. The Durpin Monastery is one of the most serene places to visit in Kalimpong.
The Durpin Monastery is made of three levels with the main temple and prayer hall on the ground floor. The views from the second floor are great and one can the town of Kalimpong and the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges depending on the weather conditions at that time.
Deolo Hill
Deolo Hill at an altitude of 1,704 meters is the highest point in Kalimpong. Its strategic location which offers panoramic views of Kalimpong and the surrounding hills and valleys has made the place a picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. Deolo Hill has many viewpoints to revel in the scenery around as well as verdant gardens where many an exotic flower blooms. The views of the Kanchenjunga Mountains from the Deolo Hill are supposed to surpass even the views from Darjeeling. This makes the Deolo Hill one of the top places to visit in Kalimpong, indeed a prime attraction among Kalimpong tourist places.
Shopping or Window Shopping on Rishi Road
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Even if you are not the type who goes into raptures at the mere mention of the word “shopping”, it is always interesting to saunter around the quaint bazaars and market areas of the smaller towns of India. In the days of the anti-septic and air-conditioned Malls of the cities, these literally come as a breath of fresh air. There is an inexplicable earthy feel to these markets which make them so charming. In Kalimpong, the main market area is around what is named as Rish Road. A visit to Rishi Road should wittingly or unwittingly figure in your list of places to visit in Kalimpong. The road is dotted by shops selling exotic Tibetan handicrafts, woolens, Tea, Plant seeds, and other interesting Bric a brac which would make for great souvenirs. For the foodies, Rishi Market has stalls dishing out street food that include Thupka-a Tibetan noodle soup, Momos-Dumplings which originated in Tibet and are ubiquitous as a snack in the regions of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Nepal, and Bhutan among others.
Other Places of Interest in and around Kalimpong
Tagore House
Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet, and Nobel Laureate spent time in Kalimpong and many of his literary masterpieces evolved into reality here. The original house where he stayed is in a bad condition, however a house that belonged to Pratima Devi Tagore, his daughter-in-law has been preserved as a heritage site and contains various Tagore memorabilia. The haunting aura of the great master that envelops the place makes it one of the most important places to visit in Kalimpong.
Lepcha Museum
The Lepchas are the indigenous people of Sikkim, Bhutan, Darjeeling, Nepal, and Tibet. The museum in Kalimpong showcases the heritage and culture of the Lepchas. On exhibit are religious relics and manuscripts, musical instruments and other artifacts. The fascinating Lepcha Museum is one of the top 5 places to visit in Kalimpong.
Helena Roerich Museum
It is fascinating to note the presence of the Helena Roerich Museum in Kalimpong. Helena Roerich was a theosophist and writer and also the wife of Nicholas Roerich, a Russian Painter, writer, theosophist, and archaeologist. After the death of her husband Helena spent the last years of her life in a house called Crookety House in Kalimpong. The house has been converted into a museum. Helena and Nicholas were the parents of the illustrious painter Svetoslav Roerich who married the famous Indian actress Devika Rani who was the grand-niece of Rabindranath Tagore. You may not find this place figuring in most of the Kalimpong travel guides.
Army Golf Course
A picturesque golf course graces the Durpin Hill and can be seen on the way to the Durpin Monastery. At an altitude of more than 4,000 feet with lovely panoramic views, the golf course makes for a spectacular setting for a game of golf. The Golf Course is open to visitors and should figure in the list of places to visit in Kalimpong.
How To Get To Kalimpong
Kalimpong Map
- Kalimpong is a town located in the Indian state of Bengal and is the headquarters of Kalimpong District.
- The nearest airport to Kalimpong is Bagdogra which is 78 Kilometres away
- The nearest Railway Station to Kalimpong is New Jalpaiguri which is 73 Kilometres away
- The distance from Kalimpong to Darjeeling is about 50 Kilometres
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Where we stayed in Kalimpong
PC: Summit Hotel
There is no dearth of hotels in Kalimpong. We stayed in a lovely hotel called Summit Barsana Resort & Spa, Kalimpong, in a very secluded part of Kalimpong. The property is set amidst a serene garden and we really enjoyed our stay there and wished we had planned a longer stay. We found food amazing, as well as the service, was impeccable. A nice place to stay and enjoy the salubrious climate of Kalimpong and head out to experience the best places to visit in Kalimpong.
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Voyager FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Kalimpong?
Kalimpong has a cool and pleasant weather and can be visited throughout the year, however, the best time to visit is between the months of March to May and September to December. - Why should you visit Kalimpong?
– Kalimpong is a beautiful hill station surrounded by tea gardens and flanked by the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges.
– Some places in Kalimpong offer amazing views of the Kanchenjunga Mountains and the snow-capped Himalayas.
– The town is a wonderful family getaway that offers opportunities for hiking, paragliding, river rafting, fishing, golfing or simply walking in the midst of nature.
– Since it is a part of the Neora Valley National Park, it is a must visit place for wildlife lovers.
– Kalimpong is a hub for floriculture and famous for its floriculture industry. Every year, Kalimpong hosts an annual flower festival in the month of October. - How much time does it take to drive from Bagdogra Airport to Kalimpong?
The distance between Bagdogra Airport and Kalimpong is about 78 Kilometres, however as the road is through hilly terrain the drive would take about 4 hours. - How far is it from Gangtok to Kalimpong?
The distance from Gangtok to Kalimpong is about 75 Kilometres. - What is the driving time from Darjeeling to Kalimpong?
It is about a 2.5-hour drive from Darjeeling to Kalimpong. - What are the outdoor and adventurous things to do in Kalimpong?
Kalimpong is a haven for lovers of the outdoors and adventure. There are multiple trails for trekking and Kalimpong has also become a hub of sorts for Paragliding with Kalimpong paragliding a much sought after activity. River rafting is also something one can do while in Kalimpong. Apart from this, for a more sedate outdoor activity in the vicinity, one can opt for fishing in the Teesta river.
Bidding Adieu to Kalimpong
Our stay in Kalimpong was brief and hence we could not really do justice to this lovely place in the hills. There were many places to visit in Kalimpong that we had missed. But what we saw charmed us and we vowed to ourselves to come back again and spend some leisurely days here. We wanted to explore the various hiking trails around the town and feast on the spectacular views. These thoughts ran through our minds as we left Kalimpong behind. Some school children with shining morning faces waved cheerily at us.
The Teesta river flowed silently by the side, its emerald hues glistening in the morning sun.
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Lovely place and gorgeous photos you have there! Made me want to visit Kalimpong soon! 😛
Superb post and well documented.
That sounds like such a beautiful place to visit. Love the picture of the cactus – I have never seen one in real life 🙂
You simply cannot go here and not appreciate the place. I love how colorful and stunning it is. The Teesta River is breathtaking. My next favorite would be the Pineview Nursery.
That sounds like a beautiful place to be. I love going to places like this because you’re so peaceful and they’re beautiful to see. If ever get out that way maybe I will go see this place.
It’s a beautiful place to explore. I’m a little sad about the monkeys thought. I know it’s fascinating but it ruins their way of life if you feed them, which I’m glad you didn’t. The view from the top is just, WOW! And the temple is very beautiful.
Your photos are all amazing! Especially the ones of the Pineview Nursery as I am a true plant lover. I’ve definitely added the North Eastern Region of India to my bucket list!
Kalimpong has a pristine charm. Darjeeling too has it though the town was much besieged by the Gorkha agitations. Your blog is a beautiful tribute to the enchanting hill station.
We will just have to read about this adventure. Not on our list of places to visit. So many places to go not enough time.
The tea lover me would definitely appreciate sampling the teas in this region. Your pictures are absolutely stunning.
I love how comprehensive this is, so chock full of details. The outdoor markets sound like something I’d love to explore, and I enjoyed your slow travel approach with the road trip getting there!
Kalimpong seems to be a hidden gem of India and I am so happy to discover places like this. Durpin Monastery looks very similar to the one I was in Nepal, Kopan Monastery. I would love to explore all the markets and the pineview nursery (it looks so cute).
What a beautiful place. The photos you took are great! I would love to visit one day.
It looks like there is a lot to see and do over there. I think the monastery would be interesting to visit. I love the architecture of the buildings.
I havent heard of Kalimpong before. It is nice to learn about places like this. Pineview Nursery looks so cool. I would love to hike Deolo Hill looks so calm and relaxing. I Hope I can visit India soon and check out Kalimpong.
What an absolutely wonderful place to visit – looks like there is so much to do! I have a friend who would SO appreciate seeing that many cacti!
That cactus farm is way cool! I would really love to go here sometime in my life.
Now that is a really neat alternative location. Those cacti are very pretty!
The Pineview nursery looks amazing. How I wish I could take my Mom there. she loves cactus!
I only saw bits of Darjeeling from the movie barfi and i thought it is such an awesome place! so i agree that kalimpong is a wonderful alternative!!! would love to go there in the future!!!
Almost a decade ago, I had spent some time in Darjeeling and Sikkim. Whitewater rafting in the Teesta was one of my favorite memories from those days. Thank you for reigniting those memories by mentioning the Teesta. We had skipped Kalimpong during that trip, but it seems that it is time for a revisit, this time, including Kalimpong in the itinerary.
What a beautiful place! I love all the majestic views. Oh and those succulents, those cacti! They are all so pretty. It made me wonder when my cacti would actually grow a flower!
Those cactus are so pretty. I would love to visit these beautiful places..Thanks for sharing this useful travel guide!
I read a lot of travel pages but I love yours for the details. I know how to get there, where to stay, the geography, love it all! Such a good reference.
Lovely writeup. This made me really nostalgic!
I would love to explore this place filled with historical facts and flora. Did you enjoy the food in this place too? What a sight to behold!
I absolutely love the looks of Pineview Nursery. I can’t believe how many varieties of cacti there are! I wish I could bring one home.
I’m always amazed with your innate wanderlust. I would love to traipse my feet to this place and enjoy what it has to offer. It is repleted with historical facts that will surely leave me in awe. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
The pineview nursery looks beautiful! That rives looks very inviting, it reminds me of the river I used to see growing up in the Philippines.
Wow, what a beautiful adventure! I am in awe of the views, nature and the architecture. I have never seen anything like this and would be amazed!
Gardening is something i’ve always enjoyed doing. As long as it isn’t winter I will always be outside planting something.
What a nice view of the river at Kalimpong! The greenish color made it even wonderful. And the cacti at Pineview Nursery are incredible. I like them. Thank you for sharing.
For a while I have been wondering about what all Kalimpong has got to offer and will a visit here be worth it. And see, today I read your post, and it removed all the confusions. The views of the Himalayan peaks from here are so attractive. And that the crowd here is lesser than Darjeeling and other famous tourist spots in this area makes it all the more attractive for me.
Kalimpong is a fast emerging tourist destination. I was clueless why… but your post quenches my curiosity! I like the FAQ section of your post the most. May be i can also use such a section in my posts. Thanks for inspiring!
I haven’t been here but Kalimpong reminds me a lot of baguio city here in my country Philippines. It also got good views and some must see destinations. Always amazed at how you describe and give tips about the places you write. Keep it up!
Amazing place. One would surely love this plave because of the superb views. Thanks for sharing.
Kalimpong sounds like somewhere I’d enjoy visiting, we went to Darjeeling a few years ago to visit Kaziranga but didn’t see much there, but I think the idea of the more secluded nature of Kalimpong appeals. The views of those mountain dwellings is amazing, even in the haze it’s beautiful. Pineview looks fun to visit, I love gardens and parks and botanical attractions. I’d definitely visit the Monastery too.
Wow, this place looks beautiful. I’ve never been to India but this looks like such a serene spot compared to other articles I’ve read about India. Thanks for sharing!
The Durpin Monastery looks extremely serene and tranquil! I’d love to check it out and experience that sense of zen in the mountains 🙂 Thank you for this virtual tour around the lovely town of Kalimpong!
Kalimpong definitely looks like a great alternative to Darjeeling. However, I am more curious about the river Teesta. Would you know if there are any river rafting experiences on the river?
very truly said , in the earlier days Kalimpong was definitely on the mind of the Indian tourist as well as the family hliday affair but off late somehow it has been missing off the radar and i am glad to have come across this article to remind myself to visit this place definitely
love the Pineview Nursery! such a cute place. kalimpond looks so green, would love to spend soem days there
This is such a lovely place and your photos are amazing!!!
I have never heard of Kalimpong. I love learning about new places. Thank you for this beautiful blog. Looks like you had an awesome time in Kalimpong. Love the photos and the detailed information on things to see and do.
Such a relaxing trip! I find the Pineview Nursery very interesting! So many beautiful cacti to check out! And that view from Deolo Hill is so gorgeous! Too bad about not spending more time in Kalimpong. I’d be sad to leave such a relaxing place too!
Kalimpong is a really beautiful place, though people usually give it a miss for Darjeeling. It was so good to read about the beauty of Kalimpong over again.
Kalimpong is truly enchanting. I’d spend a whole week exploring every nook and cranny this town has to offer!
This place sounds so exotic with its Buddhist temples, misty mountains and abundant tea and flower nurseries, sounds like a place I definintely would love to explore some day.
I loved your inclusion of a map. I have such a hard time figuring out Indian geography. I would love to go to the foothills of the Himalayas. I would certainly go hiking and rafting if I was visiting. This looks like a beautiful part of the planet.
Hello! Lovely article and well laid out! Looks like a good plan and trip!
I love cactus it remind me of home! Nice photos!
Thank you for this trip!
Dee
Wow! The river Teesta looks so beautiful as does the monastary. I would love to visit this part of India!
This is a very comprehensive post. I have never read of places in Sikkim. The Durpin Monastery seems to be quite interesting. The Tagore memorabilia sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing!
This region of North East India looks really interesting. We don’t know much about the area apart from the famous tea plantations of Darjeeling, would be good to explore further.
Roerichs seem to have a house everywhere in the hills. I saw their estate in Naggar near Manali that even had Devika Rani’s room. I would choose to go Lepcha Museum in Kalimpong. It is one city I missed every time I visited Sikkim.
Great article and very informative! The Durpin Monastery looked very interesting, especially that is associated with the Dalhi Lama himself! There must be a very special feeling being there.
Beautiful pictures! Yet another city in the Northeast part of India that I have heard so much about but did not have the chance to explore. I haven’t even been to Darjeeling for that matter! The cacti nursery looks pretty cool, as does the monastery. Thanks for these suggestions – will refer back to your post when I plan my ultimate NE India trip 🙂
Kalimpong looks stunningly beautiful! The views are simply breathtaking. I love the Pineview Nursery with so many beautiful varieties of cacti. The monastery has a fascinating architecture and tranquil vibes. I’m yet to explore the North East part of India. I’ll definitely be visiting Kalimpong when I’ll plan for my tour. Thanks for sharing the complete guide. I’ve bookmarked it for future reference.
I’ve done Darjeeling and would like to get back to the region when I next visit India. Kalimpong seems like it has a lot going on. The monastery looks so peaceful.
Great recommendation. What a coincidence, I am thinking about visiting Darjeeling this year and I came across your post. Now I am really having a thought of living in Kalimpong. You have shared nice illustrated information. Thanks for this post.
I love india. Darcee & I though spent only a 6 weeks on the western side. So when we return we really want to visit the east and I would love to explore the Bengal region to see more of the Buddhist influence. I would love to see the Durpin Monastery While I think Darcee would really enjoy visiting Tangore’s House since she loved literature.
I had to google where Kalimpong was. Somehow I never really noticed that India had that little “spit” of land. Just tonight I was talking with a friend from Bangladesh and learning about the differences between them and Pakistan. I think I would be most interested in hiking Diolo Hill, as I love the outdoors and that sounds like a good viewpoint.
Lovely overview of Kalimpong. The Durpin monastry and the Deolo hills look amazing. Such beautiful pictures and detail provided. I hope to one day visit the area.
Sounds like you saved the best for last! Kalimpong sounds like it is a beautiful spot in the North East. Pineview Nursery looks like it has such a cool array of cacti to see, and the Durpin Monastery would be a great cultural stop. Deolo Hill sounds like it would be a great place for a picnic with such spectacular views. Definitely thinking that this might rival Darjeeling!
What a very nice place! Didnt know that Bangladesh has a beautiful spot to unwind! I love looking at the photos! The Pineview Nursery looks really relaxing, the greaand and blooming flowers, and the monastery should really be visited too. Thanks for sharing!
Kalimpong is definitely a great alternative to Darjeeling. I like the calm and quiet vibes it exudes, making one relaxed.The views definitely add to the charm of the place. Hope to be able to see it for myself.
Kalimpong looks like a great place in its own right – having never visited darjeeling either! I love the look of the Durpin Monastery, and you just get a real sense of peace and rest from your photographs. I’d happily visit one day!
Sounds like an interesting and beautiful part of the world. Since I’m a museum, culture and history lover the museums would be first on my list.
Kalimpong looks like a wonderful mountain town. I love the pictures from the Pineview Nursery. That is my kind of place to visit. Very exciting to see the Durpin Monastery, knowing that is was consecrated by the Dalai Lama.
Kalimpong sounds like a wonderful hill town perched on the mountain top. The views from the Delo hill will be amazing. Your post has every small detail covered.. awesome .. Cacti 🌵 nursery too looks quite good and a must visit place.
Wow! My husband and I are heading to Manipur in three weeks from now but now we really regret not including Kalimpong on our list as well. I cannot wait to discover more of India’s North Eastern regions. You have such an amazing country!
This sounds and looks a great place. I’ve never heard of Kalimpong, but now I’m intrigued. I’d be particularly interested to learn more about Tagore. I’m big on literary travel.
Traveling Kalimpong is an amazing experience of serenity, splendor and tranquility. Thank you for sharing complete tour itinerary of you Kalimpong tour and the photos
This is a very useful article about the tourist places in Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a beautiful hill station as there is Deoli Hills surrounded by tea gardens and flanked by the Kanchenjunga mountain!! Indeed travelling to Kalimpong would be an awesome experience.