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AHALDARA

Ahaldara is a table mountain top situated within North Bengal region in Indian state of West Bengal. Ahaldara is nestled at an altitude of 5000 feet and is mainly known for its astonishing view of both sunrise and sunset at the backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Ahaldara Top is a 360 degree open view point that also offers clear view of the Terai regions along with that of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and parts of Sikkim hills. Ahaldara is also referred to as the highest viewpoint of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Ahaldara is a part of Selphu Hills with deep surrounding valleys those goes down towards the plains. These deep valleys around Ahaldara are full of lush green tea gardens. To the right side of Ahaldara the dense wilderness of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is clearly visible. Apart from that on the lower ridge of Ahaldara tourists will get to see other floras like Cinchona, Pine, Teak and Cedar trees. Ahaldara is an ideal holiday spot for those seeking absolute peace and tranquility all around. In a single frame Ahaldara viewpoint offers panoramic view of dense thick Pine forests on one side while on the other lush green tea garden valleys goes to the downward side along with meandering flow of River Teesta between the valleys. Earlier Ahaldara was only known as a viewpoint for tourists staying at Latpanchar which is located few kilometers downward from Ahaldara, but with the rising demands of tourists, staying options at Ahaldara has been built to cater tourists with night halt options. The local inhabitants of this region mostly stay at Latpanchar and surrounding areas of Selphu Hills. Apart from homestay, staying options at tents are also available at Ahaldara. Tourists visiting Ahaldara need to pay a very nominal charge as entry fees and tourists are also informed that though big cars reach close to the view point but small cars cannot reach upto the hill top, in that case one need to trek about 300 meters to reach at the hill top.

Activities and attractions around Ahaldara:
Apart from being a 360 degree view point, Ahaldara offers tourists with number of activities and attractions to explore and experience all around. Some of which are detailed below.

  • Latpanchar is a picturesque village located around 05 km away to the downward valley from Ahaldara. Latpanchar is mainly known for its stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges, abundant species flora and fauna, wide availability of bird life and abundant Cinchona plantations. From Ahaldara tourists can easily visit Latpanchar in a day tour.
  • Namthing Pokhri (Lake) is another spot of tourist’s interest around Ahaldara located around 11 km away via LatpancharMahaldiram Road. Namthing Pokhri is a natural lake surrounded by thick Pine forests from all three sides and is a natural habitat of the rare species of Himalayan Salamander or Himalayan Newt an amphibian species which is believed to be a living fossil that is derived from a missing link between amphibian and reptile and have existed from the pre-historic age.
  • Mahaldiram is a beautiful tourist spot located around 23 km away from Ahaldara via LatpancharMahaldiram Road. Mahaldiram is also known for its magnificent view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges, lush green tea gardens of Chines bush, monastery and nature trails through the tea estates.
  • Sittong is a popular holiday gateway for tourists located around 31 km away from Ahaldara. Sittong is also known as the orange village of Darjeeling Hills as most of the quantities of Oranges of Darjeeling Hills are produced at Sittong. Apart from that Sittong also offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges, valleys of lush green tea gardens, Himalayan streams, monasteries and others. Sittong is divided into three parts Sittong I, II and III.
  • Ghalaytar is a beautiful tourist spot located around 16 km away from Ahaldara. Ghalayter can be reached from Ahaldara for short excursion to witness the captivating view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges, rich bird activity, butterfly tracking and lush green valleys of tea gardens.
  • Mungpoo is a popular tourist spot located around 22 km away from Ahaldara via Shelpu – Birik Road. From Ahaldara in a short trip tourists can easily visit Mungpoo to witness the Rabindra Bhawan (dedicated to the Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore) along with Orchid House, Surel Bungalow, Monasteries and other noteworthy spots.
  • From Ahaldara in a day trip tourists can opt for a visit to Jogighat River Bridge located at Lower Sittong area and is around 28 km away from Ahaldara. Near Jogighat River Bridge on the banks of River Riyang tourists can opt to arrange river camping in the winter season.
  • Birds watching is one of the main activity tourists can get indulge around Ahaldara. Being situated within the close proximity to Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Ahaldara and its surrounding areas have become bird watching hot spots for bird watchers.
  • Ahaldara is an ideal location for landscape photographers. The surrounding 360 degree hill top of Ahaldara offers photographers with ample options to get some of the best landscape images, both during the day light and during the night.
  • From Ahaldara several trek routes and nature trails has emerged those leads upto different area of Shelpu Hills. Tourists with an adventurous bend of mind can opt to avail these treks and trails from Ahaldara to reach different spots.
  • After the sunset at Ahaldara tourists have no activities except Bon fire and Bar-B-Que. In the night time at Ahaldara the locals arranges for campfire, but tourists are also informed that strong winds blows at Ahaldara throughout day and night which may sometime obstructs this activity.

How to reach:

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Ahaldara located at a distance of 53 km via NH 10. Bagdogra Airport is well connected by regular flight services with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. From Bagdogra Airport by hired vehicles tourists can reach upto Ahaldara.

By Train: New Jalpaiguri railway station is the nearest rail head to Ahaldara located at a distance of 49 km away via NH 10. New Jalpaiguri railway station is well connected by regular railway networks with Kolkata and other major cities of India. From NJP railway station by hired vehicles tourists can reach upto Ahaldara. There are few other routes to reach Ahaldara from NJP railway station by road.

By Road: Ahaldara is well connected by good road networks with Siliguri (42 km), Darjeeling (59 km) via Peshok Road, Kurseong (38 km) via LatpancharMahaldiram Road. From Siliguri by NH 10 via Sevoke – Kalijhora Road tourists need to reach at Kalijhora (29 km) away. From Kalijhora to the left side by the uphill route through dense wilderness around 13 km away is Ahaldara. There is another route to reach Ahaldara via Sukhna, Rongtong, Shivakhola, Simring and Latpanchar. From Siliguri via Sukhna tourists need to reach upto Rongtong, from there around 10 km more is Shivakhola. Again from there one needs to reach at BagoraLatpanchar Road via Simring. From this road around 08 km more is Ahaldara.

Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Ahaldara is between October to May. Though winter season offers the best possible 360 degree panoramic view, but the temperature remains cold. During winter season the climate remains very clear and one can also experience maximum bird’s activity during this time. Summers are best to escape the scorching heat of the plains. Bur visiting Ahaldara in the monsoon season is not at all recommended.

AHALDARA – AHAL COTTAGES

Ahal Cottage also known as Ahaldara View Point Homestay or Ahaldara View Point Cottage is the only accommodation available at Ahaldara top viewpoint that offers panoramic view of the surrounding landscape along with the stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges and lush green tea gardens all around. Ahal Cottage or Ahaldara View Point Homestay is set on the edge of the ridge with quiet spacious rooms to accommodate 04 to 05 people at a time. Ahal Cottage or Ahaldara View Point Homestay has only four well furnished rooms in cottage style those are built one after the other. Each Cottge of Ahaldara View Point Homestay or Ahal Cottage are equipped with separate balcony where tourists can opt to lay back on a chair and relax. At the front of Ahal Cottage or Ahaldara View Point Homestay there is wide open area where group tourists can also opt to fix tents available therein for their night halt. These tents facilitated by Ahal Cottage or Ahaldara Viewpoint Homestay are mainly Dome tents and are also equipped with western type toilets (not attached). Meals are served within Ahal Cottage or Ahaldara View Point Homestay. Though there are very few homestays located nearby Ahaldara View Point, but these are placed on a bit lower side from the main viewpoint. Ahal Cottage or Ahaldara View Point Homestay is placed amidst Cinchona plantations.

Amenities available:
Semi wooden furnished rooms.
Attached bathrooms with western toilet.
Geyser facility available.
Arrangement of local sightseeing (chargeable).
Pick up and drop facility available (chargeable).
Local guide available (Chargeable).
Camp fire and Bar-B-Cue available (depends on the avalability of woods).
Meals served are fully organic.

Tariff:
INR @ 1700/- per day per person (both food and lodging included).
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)