MEGITAR
Megitar (also spelled as Megeter) is a small tourist spot of Samalbong, Bijanbari block in Darjeeling sub division of Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The region of Megitar is covered with lush greenery and thick natural vegetation all around. Megitar is situated just opposite to Darjeeling town and on a clear day Darjeeling town is clearly visible from Megitar. Nestled at an altitude of about 6500 feet, Megitar is characterized by rising mountain valleys, Himalayan stream, village habitation, small houses of the local inhabitants, step cultivating farmlands and wide species of Himalayan birds. The name of Megitar is derived from the thick cluster of clouds those floats around the village of Megitar throughout the day. On a clear day Megitar offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks. Apart from the view of Darjeeling on a clear day Megitar also offers clear view of Namchi and Jorethang of Sikkim. The quiet and lonely place of Megitar is an ideal destination for two or three day hideout from the madding city crowd in the lap of nature. Megitar is mostly inhabited by Nepali people like Rai, Tamang, Subba and the like communities. The local villagers of Megitar are mostly into farming and cattle breeding to earn their livelihood, but with the development of Megitar as a tourism circuit some of these villagers have also started to rent their houses to accommodate tourists in the form of homestays which is becoming an alternate source of livelihood. At the backyard of each house at Megitar tourists will get to witness farmlands where the local villagers use to cultivate seasonal vegetable through organic process. Big cardamom and orchids are also cultivated at Megitar in abundance.
Activities and attractions around Megitar:
Megitar being a small hamlet of Darjeeling district, but it offers tourists with handful of activities and local attractions to experience.
- One of the main activities at Megitar is to lie back on an easy chair and relax. Tourists can leisurely spend a whole day relaxing and enjoying the virgin beauty of nature around Megitar. Here tourists can feel the loneliness and quietness all around the village of Megitar.
- There is a local Buddhist temple at Megitar which is worth visiting. Tourists can visit this Buddhist temple (monastery) and rejuvenate their mind and soul.
- From Megitar in a day trip tourists can easily visit Sirishe Gaon located at a distance of 79.8 km away. Sirishe Gaon is another beautiful village worth visiting and on a clear day Sirishe Gaon also offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan range of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
- Bijanbari another popular offbeat tourist destination is located at a distance of 13.2 km away from Megitar via Bijanbari – Kainjalia road. The journey is of about 46 minutes. Bijanbari is a beautiful tourist destination lies near Chota Rangeet River and also offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga on a clear day.
- The queen of hills – Darjeeling is located at a distance of 31.8 km away from Megitar via Pattabong Tea Estate. In a day trip from Megitar tourists can easily visit Darjeeling and witness the local watchable around the town.
- Megitar also offers tourists with adventure activities like trekking and hiking. From Megitar few small trek routes or hiking route have emerged those leads to different parts of the village. Enthusiasts can try out these trekking routes at Megitar which is an experience worth enjoying.
- For bird watchers and bird photographers Megitar is also an ideal destination, as the region is inhabited by wide species of Himalayan birds to name but a few are Verditer Fly Catcher, Babblers, different types of Sunbirds, Scarlet Minivets and others. Tourists can opt to take a local guide and spot these beautiful birds in the nearby wilderness.
- Megitar is also an ideal location for landscape photographers, as the whole region is guarded by high rising mountain valleys, step cultivation farmlands, thick natural vegetation and small local houses and above all guarded by the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga of the eastern Himalayas.
- Jhepi located at a distance of 08 km away from Megitar and is a beautiful village of Darjeeling Pulbazaar block. Jhepi is mostly known for its farmstays, thick lush greenery and beautiful Jhepi Khola.
- On a leisure day tourists can opt to walk by the village trails of Megitar and meet the local people and get a deep insight of their day to day activities.
- Tourists can also to visit the nearby organic farmlands of Megitar and get to know the process of growing the vegetable through organic process.
- Megitar offers stunning view in the night time with twinkling stars of the galaxy along with the glittering lights of Darjeeling hills to the opposite side is a sight worth admiring.
How to reach:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Megitar located at a distance of 101 km via Matigara – Kurseong road. Bagdogra Airport is well connected by regular flight services with Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati and Bangalore. From Bagdogra Airport tourists will get both shared and reserved cars to reach Megitar.
By Train: New Jalpaiguri railway station (NJP) is the nearest rail head to Megitar located at a distance of 110 km via NH 10. NJP railway station is well connected by regular train services with Kolkata and other major cities of India as well. From NJP railway station both by shared and reserved car service tourists can reach Megitar.
By Road: Megitar is well connected by good roadway networks with Siliguri (94 km), Darjeeling (31.8 km), Kurseong (61.4 km) and Bijanbari (13.2 km) away. From all these places tourists will get shared and reserved vehicles to reach Megitar. From NJP railway station or Bagdogra Airport tourists can either opt to reserve a full car to reach Megitar directly. Or one can take shared car service upto Ghoom. From Ghoom by another hired car upto Bijanbari. And from Bijanbari by another car one can reach Megitar.
Best time to visit:
Megitar can be visited throughout the year. But it is advised to avoid the monsoon season due to messy road condition. Summers are best to escape the scorching heat of the plains. The temperature during summer season remains cool and soothing and hence makes it ideal for visit. Winter is the best time to witness the full view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges as the weather remains very clear. Winter is also the best time to witness the maximum bird activity. From trekking and hiking winter is also the ideal time to visit Megitar.
MEGITAR HOMESTAY
Megitar Homestay at Megitar, Samalbong is so far the best accommodation available for tourists. Megitar Homestay has all the basic facilities and amenities available to make a holiday perfect. Megitar Homestay is an ideal gateway for a rural retreat in the lap of the Himalayas. Megitar Homestay is set amidst lush greenery and thick natural vegetation and offers the stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks. At Megitar Homestay tourists can spend their precious holidays in a lonely and leisure place at comparatively a cheaper price. Megitar Homestay offers tourists with a homely ambience with very co-operative host and home made organic foods which are grown in the nearby farmlands. Rooms of Megitar Homestay are divided into small cottage typed accommodation with spacious rooms.
Amenities available:
Spacious rooms with attached washrooms.
Western type toilets.
Geyser facility for 24 hours running hot water.
Meals served at fully organic.
Pick up and drop facility available on request (chargeable).
Campfire, Bar-B-Cue on demand (chargeable).
Arrangement of local sightseeing on request (chargeable).
Local guides available.
Car parking area.
Tariff:
INR @ 1400/- 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)
