SANGSER
Sangser (also known as Sangser Khasmahal) is a small and beautiful hamlet or Himalayan village of Kalimpong sub – division, in Kalimpong district, in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sangser village is settled at an elevation of 4500 feet and from here around 500 to 600 feet downward flows River Teesta. During the British reign, the region of today’s Sangser Village was known as Sangser Forest. Though at present most of the part of Sangser village is under forest cover and falls within the periphery of Neora Valley National Park. Though the boundary from Deolo Hill upto Tar Khola, this whole area is identified as under forest reserve, but for many years many small villages or forest settlements grew up here. Among these villages the most noteworthy and the biggest village is Sangser Village. On a clear day Sangser offers clear view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga along with other peaks. The village of Sangser is characterized by rising mountains, thick natural vegetation, Himalayan streams, step farming lands and small houses of the local villagers. The local inhabitants of Sangser mostly belong to Rai, Lepcha, Bhutia and like communities. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the local inhabitants of Sangser. Other than that with the inception of tourism at Sangser village, some of the local villagers have also started renting their house to tourists or building up small cottages in order to cater tourists with staying options mostly as homestays. Adjacent to each local houses of Sangser, tourists will get to see wide species seasonal flowers blooming in full.
Activities and attractions around Sangser:
Apart from being an ideal gateway in the lap of the mountains, Sangser also offers tourists with number of local attractions and activities in indulge in.
- Sangser is an ideal gateway from the hustle and bustle of city crowd far away in the lap of nature. At Sangser tourists can opt to spend 02 nights in relax mode and enjoy the surrounding scenic landscape of the forest region.
- For nature lovers Sangser is an ideal option. Here at Sangser tourists can witness the virgin beauty of nature at its best. The combination of the meandering flow of River Teesta along with the mountains of Sikkim to the opposite side is a sight worth admiring at Sangser.
- Bird watching and bird photography is one of the prime activities to try out at Sangser. On a clear tourists can hire a local village (those also acts as local guides) and get within the woods of lush greenery to find out some of best shots of native Himalayan birds those inhabit the forest area of Sangser.
- Apart from bird watching, Sangser is also home to wide species of butterflies. Tourists can also opt to trace these butterflies nearby the streams or on the blooming flowers.
- In a day trip from Sangser tourists can opt for a visit to the Kalimpong town located around 14 km away and witness the local watchable around the town.
- Deolo is also located around 19 km away from Sangser. In a day trip tourists can also opt for a visit to Deolo and enjoy paragliding or witness the natural beauty. The Deolo Park is also a place of worth visit from Sangser.
- There is an Old British Bungalow located on the hill top of Sangser Village. From the main village area of Sangser tourists need to walk a bit uphill to reach this Bungalow. The periphery of this British Bungalow is itself a view point that offers great combination of mountains, Himalayan streams, forests along with Sky. The backside of this bungalow at Sangser is full of dense wilderness and the area belongs to Forest Department. Near the Bungalow tourists can also witness numerous species of Orchids.
- From Sangser village few short trekking trails has emerged those leads to different parts of the village. Some of these trekking trails also lead towards the forest area. Tourists can opt for a trekking at Sangser by these trails which an experience worth enjoying.
- Around Sangser village tourists can opt for a leisure village walk by the narrow trail and meet the local people to get an insight of their daily lifestyle. Apart from that tourists can also get to know about the rich heritage, traditions, cultures and customs of the people of Sangser.
- Tourists can also opt to get indulge in different activities around Sangser village like laying hand in hand with the local villagers in farming activities as all over the village of Sangser there are numerous organic farmlands those produces seasonal vegetables. The process of farming through step cultivation at Sangser is also a sight worth watching.
- As Sangser village is located within close proximity to Sikkim border, hence it can be a center of Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling visit.
- From Sangser tourists can visit other tourist’s spots namely Neora Valley National Park (29 km), Milan Top Viewpoint (16 km), Ramdhura (10 km), Rangpo (32 km), Tendrabong (15 km), Pedong (20 km), Chibbo Village (20 km), Rishyap (26 km), Sillerygaon (20 km), Kolakham (35 km) and Loleygaon (35 km).
Getting There:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Sangser village located around 84.6 km away. From Bagdogra Airport tourists can either reserved full vehicle to reach upto Sangser village. Or one can also opt to hired vehicle on shared basis from Bagdogra Airport upto Kalimpong located around 78 km away and again from Kalimpong by another reserved vehicle tourists can reach upto Sangser located around 14 km away.
By Train: New Jalpaiguri Ralway station is the nearest rail head to Sangser Village located around 80 km away. From New Jalpaiguri Railway station tourists can either reserve a full vehicle to reach upto Sangser village. Or one can also opt to hire vehicle on shared basis from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station upto Kalimpong located around 74 km away and again from Kalimpong by another reserved vehicle tourists can reach upto Sangser located around 14 km away.
By Road: Sangser village is well connected by good road network with Siliguri (75 km) and Kalimpong (14 km). From NJP railway station/ Bagdogra Airport/ Siliguri tourists will get reserved cars to reach Sangser. Or tourists can also opt to hired shared vehicles either upto Kalimpong or upto Algarah. From there by another reserved vehicle one can reach upto Sangser village. Sangser is also well connected by road with Rangpo (the border of Sikkim) by vehicle services. From Rangpo tourists can also opt to visit different parts of Sikkim.
Best time to visit:
Though Sangser can be visited throughout the year, but it is advisable to avoid the monsoon season due to bad road condition. Winter is the best time to witness the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks. Apart from that winter is also the best time to witness the maximum bird’s activity. Summers are the best to escape the scorching heat of the plains.
K. K. HOMESTAY
K.K. Homestay at Sangser is so far the best homestay available in this region. K.K. Homestay is maintained by a local family of Sangser village. The name of K.K. Homestay is derived from the name of two daughters of the host namely Kavya and Kavahi. K.K. Homestay is set amidst lush greenery all over with the rooms facing towards the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga. K.K. Homestay is an ideal staying option for nature lovers. Apart from that the warm hospitality of the host along with other members of the homestay is an additional gift for tourists staying at K.K. Homestay. Meals served to tourists at K.K. Homestay are mostly home cooked and the vegetables are grown in their own farmlands at their backyard. The surrounding periphery of K.K. Homestay is nicely decorated with seasonal flowers and other floras. K.K. Homestay is a home away from home and the host along with other members are keen on taking utmost car of tourists staying here.
Amenities available:
All rooms are well furnished with attached western toilet.
Rooms are mountain facing.
Geyser facility available for hot water.
Parking area available.
Pick up and drop facility available (chargeable).
Meals are served in the homestay premises.
All meals are fully organic and garden fresh.
Bar-B-Cue and Bon Fire available (chargeable).
Tariff:
INR @ 1500/- 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).
