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SHIVAKHOLA

Shivakhola is a small offbeat tourist destination and a village settled in a sub-division of Kurseong Block in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The word Shivakhola is a combination of two different words ‘Shiva’ – signifies ‘Lord Shiva’ and ‘Khola’ a Nepali term signifies ‘river or stream’. Shivakhola or Shivkhola is set at an altitude of 1527 feet and the place is surrounded by winding valleys of tea gardens along with lush greenery all over. Shivakhola is named due to the presence of a temple of Lord Shiva on the banks of this tributary of River Mahananda flowing through this hamlet. Being a part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary this quaint low altitude Himalayan hamlet of Shivakhola is home to wide species of flora and fauna. The serene and tranquil ambience of Shivakhola is a treasure trove for travel enthusiasts seeking peaceful hideouts in the lap of Mother Nature. Shivakhola is mostly inhabited by Nepali indigenous people those who mainly depends on forests and agriculture to sustain their livelihood. The Shiva temple on the banks of Shivakhola is adorned with a naturally formed Shiva Linga, which is regarded very sacred and worshipped by the locals with great respect on the bank of Shivakhola River. The sources of the flowing river at Shivakhola are several small streams and waterfalls from far of the mountains. At Shivakhola the local residents along with the GTA took up the initiative and set up camps and homestays near the river banks to accommodate tourists with staying options. Shivakhola as a place is a perfect blend of well-connected to the lap of nature with rising mountains, forests and winding valleys.

Activities and attraction in and around Shivakhola:
Shivakhola as a tourist spot offers handful of activities to try and local attractions to witness.

  • The prime attraction of Shivakhola for tourists is to sit and relax at the river front in solitude and enjoy the surrounding landscape and natural ambience for hours.
  • Being situated on the banks of river tourists can opt for fishing at Shivakhola or one can also opt for a bathing in the river.
  • Shivakhola offers tourists with the adventurous activities like trekking, hiking, rock climbing, rappelling. Apart from that Nurbong Tea Estate is also located at a walking distance from Shivakhola.
  • As Shivakhola is home to wide range of birds those inhabit the surroundings, hence for bird watchers and photographers Shivakhola is also an ideal destination.
  • Shivakhola is also regarded as a holy spot due to the presence of the temple of Lord Shiva near the river banks hence during some specific occasions tourists can also witness the local inhabitants from in and around Shivakhola who visits here to pay homage to the lord.
  • Shivakhola is also an ideal location for landscape photographers as Shivakhola is a combination of flowing stream through the valley combining with hills and lush greenery all around.
  • From Shivakhola in a day tour tourists can opt to visit the nearby places namely Latpanchar (25 km), Ahaldara (32 km), Mahaldiram Sunrise View Point (14 km) and Mungpoo (31 km).
  • Apart from the above mentioned places tourists can also opt to visit other places from Shivakhola namely Kurseong (42 km), Mirik (41 km), Darjeeling (75 km) and Kalimpong (90 km).
  • In the evening tourists can also indulge in camp fire and Bar-B-Cue at Shivakhola near the river banks which is worth enjoying.
  • At Shivakhola tourists can opt to taste the authentic local delicacies which are prepared from organic produce in the backyard of the local houses.
  • In a leisure day at Shivakhola tourists can opt for a walk through the trails of the surrounding tea gardens. Or one can also opt to visit the nearby villages around Shivakhola and meet the local people to get an insight of their daily lifestyle.
  • Shivakhola is an ideal spot for picnic in the winter season at the riverfront which is worth enjoying.

How to reach:

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Shivakhola located at a distance of 35 km away via NH110. Bagdogra Airport is will connected with Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi by regular flight services. From Bagdogra Airport tourists can opt to hire a car and reach Shivakhola which is a journey of about 1.5 hours.

By Train: New Jalpaiguri railway station (NJP) is the nearest rail head to Shivakhola located at a distance of 33 km away. NJP railway station is also well connected with Kolkata and other major cities of India by good railway networks. From NJP railway station tourists will also get direct cab services to reach Shivakhola which is also a journey of about 1.5 hours via Hill Cart road.

By Road: Shivakhola is well connected by good motor-able road with Siliguri (27 km) and other major tourists destinations namely Darjeeling (75 km), Kalimpong (90 km) and Gangtok (132 km). Shivakhola can be reached from Bagdogra Airport by two different ways. One is via Panighata and Rohini. And the other is via Siliguri, Sukna and Hill Cart road. But to reach Shivakhola from NJP or Siliguri there is only one route via Sukna and Hill cart Road.

Best time to visit: Though Shivakhola can be visited throughout the year, but it is advisable to avoid the monsoon. Winters are the best time to witness the maximum bird’s activity along with that one can also enjoy their stay at Shivakhola. Summers and autumns are also quiet good and pleasant to visit Shivakhola.

SHIVAKHOLA ADVENTURE CAMP

Shivakhola Adventure Camp is a homestay type accommodation with cottages and tents set on the banks of River Shivakhola – a tributary of River Mahananda. The surroundings of Shivakhola Adventure Camp is full of lush greenery and mountains all around and here at Shivakhola Adventure Camp tourists can spot wide species of birds throughout the day. Shivakhola Adventure Camp has well maintained staffs those are keen on providing the best possible services to the guests. Tourists are provided with organic home cooked meals at Shivakhola Adventure Camp. For camping at the riverfront with all basic amenities of a homestay Shivakhola Adventure Camp is an ideal spot. Shivakhola Adventure Camp has 05 cottages and 04 tents for tourists.

Amenities available:

  • Rooms are wooden furnished.
  • Attached washrooms.
  • Western toilets available.
  • In house dinning facility.
  • 24 hours running hot water.
  • Both veg and non-veg meals available.
  • Pick up and drop facility available (chargeable).
  • Camp fire and Bar-B-Cue available (chargeable).
  • Arrangement of car for local sightseeing.

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).