KAGAY VILLAGE
Kagay or Kaagey is a small hidden gem of the North Bengal hills in the Indian state of West Bengal. Kagay Village is situated within Kalimpong Sadar subdivision of Kalimpong district. Kagay is an ideal eco village where tourists can enjoy the natural beauty of the serene landscape, rich cultural heritage, and the majestic snow-clad mountain ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga, lush green forests intermingled with hospitable people that provide the most suitable option of village tourism. Kagay village is nestled at an altitude of 1300 meters (4300 feet – approx.). The region of Kagay village is characterized by rising hills and small streams along with thick natural vegetation and agricultural lands of step cultivation and narrow trails that go to the different directions of the village. Well designated trails through the village of Kagay are neatly carved out along the outer house the environment of which is beautifully expressed through a riot of orchids and begonias. Kagay village is predominantly a rural region and the locals lead a rural life. The population of Kagay village mostly belongs to ethnic tribal groups and clans of Lepcha and Gorkha. The religions followed at Kagay village are Hindu, Buddhism and Christianity. These ethnic communities have distinct language, culture and customs of their own. The economy of Kagay village is mostly agro-based and the locals practice step cultivation on the hilly terrains to produce organic vegetables along with Cardamom and Ginger. The houses of Kagay village are mostly built from local materials and are well constructed and comfortable. Along with agriculture at Kagay village tourism has added a substitute to boost their economy. Village tourism has developed at Kagay village by the initiative of the BDO and the local people are getting more involved in this non-polluting industry. Tourism is an ideal opportunity to effectively use as a tool for conservation and at the same time reaps economic benefits for the local people. Accommodations for tourists at Kagay village are provided in local homestays where the guests live with the host as part of an individual family. Kagay village receives ample amounts of rainfall which in turns helps these crops to grow more vividly. Apart from that one could also witness numerous bees inhabiting Kagay Village along with numerous hives in which these bees produce honey. As Kagay village is abundant in wild flowers therefore food for these bees are also available in abundance. The local people of Kagay village also harvest these bees in separate hives to produce honey which they sell in the nearby local markets. The nearest market to Kagay village is at Pedong and further the big market is at Kalimpong. There are very few primary and secondary schools available at Kagay Village. But for further higher studies the locals need to depend on Kalimpong. There is only one health center available at Kagay Village. Festivals like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Dussera, Diwali, Christmas, Losab (Buddhist Festival) and few others are celebrated at Kagay Village with great enthusiasm.
Things to do and see around Kagay Village:
- Tourists at Kagay Village can indulge in numerous activities and go around the local village for a trail or visit the local families to know more about their daily lifestyle.
- Nearby Kagay Village flows Mundung Khola (Khola Means River) that flows between Sakyon and Kagay which is considered to be holy by the local community. Mundung Khola is a Himalayan or mountain river above which an iron bridge is constructed and to the other side of the bridge lies Kagay Village. During the winter season the water level in this river remains very less but during the monsoon season the picture completely changes.
- Kagay Village is an ideal destination for bird watchers and photographers as the village is home to numerous species of wild birds.
- From Kagay village tourists can opt for a short trek of 01 km to the upward direction to reach at Kagay – Top this is actually a viewpoint that offers stunning view of the surrounding landscapes and the magnificent Mt. Kanchenjunga. And this view point is situated near Kagay Shivalay Mandir (Temple).
- There is a 300 years old Church located at Kagay Village which is a place worth visiting. All the local festivals of Kagay Village are centered on this Church.
- There is also a Monastery cum meditation center located at Kagay Village. Though the Monastery is comparatively small in size and does have much architectural significance, but is an ideal location to meditate amidst Mother Nature.
- From Kagay Village a trek of 02 km will reach at Janmukti Falls. This spot is also a place worth visiting.
- There is another waterfall named as Jhakri Fall or Banjhakri Falls which is at a walking distance of 15 minutes away from Kagay Village.
- There are two more small villages located nearby Kagay Village namely Maria and Gerok which offer stunning views of the snow capped Himalayan peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga along with East Sikkim, Pedong and the neighboring villages.
- As Kagay is an ideal eco village, hence tourists can indulge themselves in daily village activities like crop harvesting, collecting honey from bee hives, plucking vegetables from step cultivable lands, fishing in the nearby stream, trekking, hiking and others.
- From Kagay village tourists can visit the nearby spots like Kalimpong Town (21 km), Pedong (15 km) which is a transit point to the Old Silk Route, Rishikhola (08 km), Lava (34 km), Lolegaon and others.
- For landscape photographers Kagay Village is also an ideal destination as the village is surrounded by stunning landscapes all around.
How to reach:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Kagay Village. From Bagdogra Airport tourists will get both shared and reserved cars upto Kalimpong and again from there by reserved cars one need to reach at Kagay Village. For those who will book reserved cars need not to change their vehicle at Kalimpong to reach at Kagay, as reserved vehicle directly reaches upto the village.
By Rail: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is the nearby rail head to Kagay Village which is at a distance of 91 km away and it takes around 03 hours to reach. From NJP railway station by shared cars tourists need to reach Kalimpong which is 67 km away. From Kalimpong tourists need to avail reserved cars to reach Kagay Village. Tourists can avail reserve cars to reach at Kagay Village directly from NJP railway station.
By Road: Kagay Village is well connected by good motorable road connection with the Bagdogra Airport and New Jalpaiguri railway station along with the nearest towns of Siliguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Pedong and Gangtok. From NJP railway station or Siliguri Pedong – Kagay – Kalimpong or vice versa can be a good circuit.
- Road from Pedong to Kagay is through the Sakyong Valley and the Mundung River.
- Road from Rhenock to Kagay is through Lingsay, Chuba, Byandah.
- Road from Lava to Kagay is through Budabarey, Bangla Dara
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Kagay Village is from October to May. Tourists are advised to avoid the rainy season, as during this time of the year the roads get slippery and hence makes it difficult for tourist vehicles to travel to the upwards direction. During summers tourists can enjoy the surrounding area and is also the best time to escape the scorching heat of the plains. Winters are the best time to get a clear view of the snow capped mountain ranges and also to spot the maximum bird activity.
HONEYCOMB HOMESTAY
Honeycomb Homestay at Kagey Village is the oldest and a cosy homestay nestled amidst lush green ambience all around. Honeycomb Homestay offers tourists with home like ambience during their stay at Kagay village. Meals served at Honeycomb Homestay are all organic, garden fresh and home-cooked. The hospitality and the service provided to guest at Honeycomb Homestay are really heart touching. Apart from natural ambience Honeycomb Homestay has lot to offer to its visitors. Honeycomb Homestay also offers tourists with ethnic mountain village foods on request. At Honeycomb Homestay evening tourists can enjoy the night camp fire and Bar-B-Cue under the open sky. Honeycomb Homestay is an ideal hideout from the hectic city life away in the lap of the mountains. Apart from the rooms, Honeycomb Homestay also offers tourists with tents facilities for camping. Tourists at Honeycomb Homestay are greeted by the traditional Lepcha style. Honeycomb Homestay has open lawn at the front side where tourists can sit and relax the whole while staring at the snow-capped Himalayan ranges at the front.
Amenities available:
Rooms are wooden furnished with attached western toilets.
24 hours running hot and cold water.
Meals are served within the homestay premises.
Room service is also available.
Pick up and drop facility available (chargeable).
Arrangement of car for local sightseeing.
Arrangement of guide for short treks and hiking.
Geyser facility available for running hot water.
Tariff:
INR @ 1500/- per day per person (both food and lodging included).
Tariff includes both staying and meals.
Meals include: Morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, snacks and dinner.
HOW TO BOOK: Call us at 9831311606 , 9830381306, to get the current availability status or use the query form furnished below with all you travel queries and submit, we will call/ contact you directly. Or, you may also directly book from our Kolkata office at: 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003. Nearest Landmark: Manindra Chandra College and Shyambazar Metro Railway Station (Gate No: 3).
