SRIKHOLA
Srikhola (also pronounced as Sirikhola) is a picturesque hamlet lies at the foothills of Singalila National Park, a sleepy village on the trek route from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu via Gurdum and Manebhanjan to Phalut via Gorkey and Rammam, nestled at an altitude of 6900 feet above mean sea level. The name of the village Srikhola is derived from River Srikhola flowing through the village. Srikhola village is set amidst thick greenery of Magnolia, Chestnuts, Oaks, Birches, Pines and Rhododendrons all over. Tourists generally prefer to make night halt at Srikhola on their return journey from Sandakphu, but tourists with high altitude problem prefers to stay at Srikhola along with Rimbick and Dhotrey tour as Srikhola has not only developed as a trekkers halt but also a tourist spot. Srikhola is a great place for leisure holidays and has well-connected roads with good availability of water, electricity, and food. Srikhola is a paradise for the wildlife enthusiasts as being close to Singalila National Park, Srikhola gets occasional visitors of wildlife to name but a few are Wild Hog, Himalayan Black Bear. The village of Srikhola is also inhabited by numerous species of birds and wide species of butterflies. The surrounding landscapes, scenic natural vegetation, mountain valleys, mountain streams, village life and above all the stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges are all Srikhola has to offer to its tourists.
Things to do around Srikhola/ Sirikhola:
Srikhola River and Wooden Hanging Bridge:
River Srikhola or Sirikhola flows through this village and tourists visiting this hamlet can opt for a short trek near the river. A wooden hanging bridge is constructed over the river bounded by thick natural vegetation on both the sides. Tourists can have a walk over the bridge and enjoy the scenic landscapes.
Singalila National Park:
Srikhola being situated at the foothills of Singalila National Park, hence tourists can opt for adventurous visit to the national park and spot some of the vivid wildlife that inhabits the region. Or tourists can also have a jungle safari or forest trek through Singalila National Park.
Bird Watching:
For bird loving enthusiast Srikhola is a paradise. Here at Srikhola one can spend their whole spotting some of the beautiful Himalayan birds of Singalila range. Throughout the day enthusiasts can spot birds like Rufous Sibia, Striated Laughing Thrush, Fulvous Parrot Bill, Scarlet Minivet, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Hooded Warbler, Himalayan Vulture, Plumbius Water Redstart and many others.
Indo – Japan Plantation Project:
The Indo – Japan collaboration Plantation Project at Srikhola is a place of worth visit. This project was for the development of India’s North Eastern Region and neighbourhood. This comprehensive project between India and Japan provides the landlocked north-east with access to the Indian Ocean which becomes crucial for improvement of the people.
Jarayo Pokhri Holly Lake:
Jarayo Pokhri is a holy lake and is considered very sacred among the locals. Jarayo Pokhri is located at a distance of 08 km away from Srikhola at Rimbick.
Manedara Samten Monastery:
Manedara Samten Monastery is situated at Manedara Village and is located around 8.2 km away from Srikhola. The monastery dates back to more than 100 years old and the full name of this monastery is Samtenling Palgi Gonchhen Gompa. The monastery was built around 1917 and is located approximately 02 km above Rimbick Bazaar at Maney Dara/ Manedara.
Rimbick:
Rimbick is the nearest town to Srikhola located around 08 km away. Rimbik itself is a least populated, small town with few shops and some houses, but most of the surrounding villages depend on this little town for their household commodities. In fact Rimbick is the last and the farthest polling station of the Darjeeling constituency.
Gurdum Village:
Gurdum is a tiny hamlet located at a distance of 06 km away from Srikhola and nestled at an altitude of 7150 feet. From Srikhola tourists need to trek uphill in order to reach at Gurdum. The village of Gurdum is inhabited by very few families and trekkers mainly plan to make a night halt at Gurdum village on their way back from Sandakphu.
Rammam Hydroelectric Power Plant:
This power plant is another sight of tourist visit located at a distance of 19.8 km away from Srikhola via Rimbick. This power plant is known to be Asia’s 02nd largest power plant and is located at Bijanbari Road, Lodhama of Darjeeling district.
How to reach:
By Air:
Bagdogra is the nearest airport to Srikhola located at a distance of 130 km away. Bagdogra is well connected with Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi by regular flight services. From Bagdogra Airport tourists need to hire vehicles to reach Srikhola.
By Train:
New Jalpaiguri Junction is the nearest rail head to Srikhola located at a distance of 140 km away. New Jalpaiguri/ NJP railway station is well connected with rest of India by good railway networks. From NJP railway station tourists need to hire vehicles to reach Srikhola.
By Road:
Srikhola can easily reach from both NJP railway station/ Bagdogra Airport by well-connected motor able road. Srikhola is also well connected with Darjeeling located at a distance of 87 km away. For Trekkers coming down from Sandakphu for night halt at Srikhola, the road distance is 16 km via Gurdum. And from Phalut trekkers need to come through Gorkey and Rammam traversing a distance of 36 km through forests of Magnolia, Chestnuts, Oaks and Rhododendrons. Srikhola can also be reached from Manebhanjan located at a distance of 41 km.
Best Time to Visit Srikhola:
April to May and October to November are the best times to visit Srikhola with little or no rainfall, relatively mild temperature and clear sky. In the winter month of December and January, the temperature drops down to minus degrees.
LIPPOHOCHHA HOMESTAY
Tariff:
Adults @ 1200/- per day per person
Child @ 600/- per day per person (upto 12 years)
Child below 05 years are complimentary
Above tariff includes both meals and staying.
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).
