KALIMPONG
Kalimpong is a serene picturesque hill station in the Lesser Himalayas in the Indian state of West Bengal. The serene small hill town of Kalimpong is located in the northern part of West Bengal. Kalimpong is known for its wide varieties of flowers and orchids and lies between Delo and Durpindara Hills. Kalimpong is nestled at an altitude of 1200 meters (4125 ft.). This sprawling bazaar town of Kalimpong was once the hub of Trans – Himalayan trade route between India and Tibet when merchants would ferry goods by mule – driven caravans over the Jelepla pass across the Sikkim – Tibet border. The name of Kalimpong has a historic significance. Kalimpong, which means ‘The stronghold of King’s Minister’, was once the headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor. So, the name was driven from the words ‘Kalim’ – meaning ‘The King’s Minister’ and ‘Pong’ – meaning ‘Stronghold’. Kalimpong is essentially an aesthetic delight for any nature lover. The dense forest of the golden Oak trees that are offset by the rich undergrowth of moss and lichen are an ideal setting for leisurely walks on the thick foliage of russet leaves. Not only does Kalimpong contain an abundance of nature, it also boasts of a rich history – illustrated by the monasteries that date back to 1863 – acquainting us with past events and the local art and culture. The town overlooks the Teesta River and this is one of its greatest attractions. Earlier Kalimpong was under the Sikkim Monarchy, but it was during 1706 when Kalimpong was taken over by the Bhutan Government and established the Governor’s office thereat. Later In the year 1780 the Gorkhas took control over the other parts. Again it was in 1865 after the Anglo – Bhutan war the administration was taken over by the British Government. In the year 1916 Kalimpong was first declared as a subdivision and in the year 1945 the first municipality of Kalimpong was formed. After Indian Independence for a vast period Kalimpong was under Darjeeling district, but in the year 2007 on 14th February Kalimpong was declared as a separate district. In other sense the name Kalimpong is believed to be derived from ‘Koulim Tree’ it became ‘Dalingkot’ and further the name Kalimpong was emerged. The locals called it as ‘Black Spur’. And in the words of the Lepchas the word ‘Kalimpong’ translates into an open space between two hills. Kalimpong has one of the oldest schools in the area. The town overlooks the Teesta River and this is one of its greatest attractions. River rafting in Teesta is a major activity to be taken part in Kalimpong.
General Information:
Area: 1057 sq. km
Altitude: 1250 meters
Best Season: October to May is the best time. Monsoon is non-advisable.
Clothing: Tropical in summer and heavy woolens in winter.
Places of tourist visit around Kalimpong:
Kalimpong Arts and Crafts Center: A renowned hub of handicrafts which was established way back in 1897 with the basic aim for promoting local handicrafts in and around the region of Kalimpong. This Arts and Crafts Center at Kalimpong is located just at a walking distance from the main market and here tourists will get to witness carpet weaving, handicraft items, woven caps, masks, dyeing, painting, leather craft and others.
Tharpa Choling Monastery: Tharpa Choling Monastery at Kalimpong was founded in the year 1912 by Domo Geshe Rinpoche and is counted amongst the oldest Gelugpa monasteries in the country. It is perched on a hilltop in Kalimpong and the interior of this monastery has colourful idols of the presiding deity, with wall intricately painted and the garden is full of different coloured flowers. The monastery periphery offers enchanting view of the Himalayas and Kalimpong town as well. There is a museum inside that house many old scriptures and artifacts.
Thongsa Monastery: Thongsa Gumpha is a Buddhist monastery in Kalimpong lies at a distance of 1.5 km from Kalimpong Bus Stand. Thongsa Gumpha is located close to Mangal Dham and was built around 1692 CE. This is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong.
Dharmodaya Vihar: Dharmodaya Vihar is a temple of Nepalese Buddhist at Kalimpong and is mainly the residence for Nepalese Buddhist monks which is run and maintained by Kalimpong Dharmodaya Sabha of Kalimpong.
Durpin Dara: Durpin Dara is one of the two hills, while the other being Deolo Hill are connected by ridge on which lies Kalimpong town. Durpin Dara is at height of 1372 meters (4501 ft.) and it offers panoramic view of the ranges of West Sikkim, the confluence of the Reli, Riang and Teesta Rivers and its valleys, the snowcapped Himalayan ranges and the Jelepla Pass at a distance. Atop Durpin Dara Hills sits Zang Dhok Palri Monastery which was consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976. The monastery holds in its reliquary 108 volumes of the Kangyur, as well as other holy books and scrolls that were moved out of Tibet after the Chinese invasion.
Pine View Nursery: Pine View Nursery is the most beautiful and the most accumulated nursery in Kalimpong that spreads over an area of about 02 acres and is located around 2.5 km away from Kalimpong Bus stand. Pine View Nursery was established in the year 1791 and it houses to over 1500 different species of Cactus those were diligently collected from all over the world. From Pine View Nursery at Kalimpong Cactus are exported to different parts of the world.
Deolo Hill: Deolo Hill is the highest point of Kalimpong with an altitude of almost 5500 feet. The tourism department has created a 08 acre wide lush park with manicured flower gardens from where one can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges, Durpin Hill and Kalimpong Township. Atop Deolo Hill there are three different ponds, two of which serves as a source of drinking water to Kalimpong town. Deolo Hill is also known for paragliding and inside the park there is a bungalow known as Deolo Tourist Bungalow, maintained by GTA.
Dr. Graham’s Home: Dr Graham’s Home was established during the 1900 and is located at the foothills of the Delo Hills occupies an unthinkably massive property with a majestic old church. Dr Graham’s Home was established by a Scottish personality named Dr John Anderson Grahams who settled in Kalimpong to work with the local community. The main objective of this missionary was to provide a refuge to the needy and poor children of the region. Presently this is a modern boarding and day school that provides quality education to over 1400 students.
Gouripur House: Gouripur House is highly revered for the memory of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore while his visited to Kalimpong several times from 1938 to 1940. Located at a distance of 02 km away from the main town of Kalimpong towards Durpin Hill, Gouripur was Tagore’s favourite and is the place where he penned down his several great verses. It was on 25th April 1940 the day when Rabindranath Tagore dictated his poem ‘Janmadin’ for the Indian audience, the live audio of which was broadcast by ‘Akashbani – All India Radio’ from this Gouripur House.
07th Mile View Point: The 7th Mile View Point at Kalimpong offers a great view of the Teesta Rangeet valley. The 7th Mile View Point is an important tourist attraction and is located on the way to Teesta Bazar around 3 km from Kalimpong. This view point offers stunning view of the surrounding landscapes with thick green foliage all around.
Mangal Dham: Mangal Dham is a significant religious center and tourist attraction at Kalimpong, built in the year 1940 in the memory of Guruji Shir Mangaldasji Maharaj. This temple at Kalimpong is mainly dedicated to Lord Krishna. There is a big prayer hall inside the temple.
Morgan House: Morgan House is an old mansion of British colonial architecture built by Mr George Morgan in 1930 on the hill station of Kalimpong. This old heritage building is now maintained by the West Bengal Tourism Dept. (WBTDCL) as a tourist lodge to accommodate tourists at Kalimpong. Morgan House is built over an area of 16 acre land atop the mountain of Durpin Dara. Morgan House is located around 03 km away from the main town of Kalimpong towards Kalimpong Cantonment area and overlooks the valleys of Relli, Kaffer, Deolo and Lava in various directions and also offers stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga right from the window.
Kalimpong Golf Course: The Army Golf Course at Kalimpong is an 18 holes golf course maintained by the Indian Army which is the 27th Mountain division of Indian Army. This Golf Course has a special significance from the tourist point of view and the area is beautifully covered with thick Oak, Dhupi and Cypress trees all over which increases the splendour of this place. Though tourists are not allowed to enter this golf course, but there is a South Indian eatery adjacent to this which is accessible to tourists. This golf course offers stunning view of the Himalayan ranges at the backdrop.
Hanuman Park: The Hanuman Park at Kalimpong is located close to Deolo and while returning tourists can get the glimpse of this huge statue of Lord Hanuman. This 25 feet high statue of Lord Hanuman is set atop a cliff and one need to climb 50 steps in order to reach the temple. The surrounding ambience is very pleasant.
Macfarlane Church: Macfarlane church in Kalimpong was built in 1891 in the memory of Rev William Macfarlane who worked among the marginalized Tibetans to set up schools and support centers here at Kalimpong. This Church was built in Neo-gothic edifice, the architecture and rich history of which attract heritage lovers. The Church periphery also offers majestic view of Kalimpong along with Himalayan ranges.
Nature Interpretation Center: Nature Interpretation Center is a museum located on Rinkin Pong Road in Kalimpong. This Nature Interpretation Center is one of the most important places to visit in Kalimpong as it has photographs and books on ecology and environment which are displayed for public visit. This Nature Interpretation Center is also known as a Forest Museum which was established and maintained by Forest Department since 1900.
Kalimpong Market: A famous market in Kalimpong town named Raja Dorjee Market is a heaven for shoppers and here is now pitching to acquire the World Heritage status as it dates back to the mid-1800s which is much older than the Darjeeling Toy Train. This market has over 500 stalls those selling varieties of products from fruits to different types of designed bags, kinema (fermented beans) and gundruk (fermented and dried mustard leaves) are some of the local specialties. There are many curio shops selling different types of Thangka art, photographs, different metal products, Chortens, Tibetan instruments and many others. While at Kalimpong a visit to this market is must.
Kalimpong Science Center: Kalimpong Science Center was established in the year 2008 in order to impart education on science within the local people and children. This science center is a tourist attraction mainly for the children where 3D shows are also shown.
Sericulture Research Institute: Sericulture Research Institute at Kalimpong is a well-known research center where people are trained on Silk farming. All knowledge required for silk farming, silkworms breeding and cultivation of Mulberry trees are taught here. This is also an interesting point of tourist visit.
How to reach:
Air: Bagdogra is the nearest Airport to Kalimpong located around 80 km away. Bagdogra is well connected with major domestic airlines of all major cities in India. Direct flight services are available from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati with Bagdogra.
Rail: Nearest railway station to Kalimpong is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) which is located at a driving distance of 67 km away. NJP railway station is well connected by strong railway networks with all major cities of India.
Road: Kalimpong is connected with good motorable road to Kolkata (651 km). Siliguri is also located around 66 km away from Kalimpong and at an interval of 30 minutes buses are available those leaves from Siliguri Tenzing Norgay bus stand to reach Kalimpong. Darjeeling is located around 50 km away from Kalimpong.
Treks:
Kalimpong – Telli River – Kaffer – Lolegaon – Lava – Algarah – return to Kalimpong via Dr. Graham’s Homes, Tripai Hill (04 days approx.).
Kalimpong – Durpindara – Samthar – Busty – and return to Kalimpong by same route (02 days).
Excursions from Kalimpong:
Lava: located around 32 km away from Kalimpong.
Lolegaon: located around 56 km away from Kalimpong.
Rishikhola: located around 39 km away from Kalimpong.
Charkhole: located around 29 km away from Kalimpong.
Samthar: located around 42 km away from Kalimpong.
Algarah: located around 16 km away from Kalimpong.
Rikkisum: located around 20 km away from Kalimpong.
WBTDC MORGAN HOUSE TOURIST LODGE
WBTDC Kalimpong Morgan House or Morgan House is a mansion of Old British Colonial architecture which was built by Mr George Morgan is the year 1930 on the hills of Kalimpong. Presently this mansion is converted into a boutique hotel managed and maintained by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL) to cater the accommodation of tourists visiting this beautiful town. WBTDC Morgam House is built on an area of sixteen acres of land atop the Durpindara Mountains. WBTDC Morgan House is located 03 km from the main town of Kalimpong and it offers a clear view of the snow-capped mountain ranges. In the year 1975 Morgan House was handed over to the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. WBTDC Morgan House was earlier known by the name of Singamari Tourist Lodge or Durpin Tourist Lodge. The rooms of WBTDC Morgan House are very comfortable to stay in and there is a big lawn and garden adjacent to it where tourists can spend the day long while sitting and staring at the valleys and the mountain ranges. WBTDC Morgan House is surrounded by the cantonment areas of Kalimpong town while overlooking the valleys of Relli, Kapher, Deolo, and Labha from various directions.. There is also a fire place located inside WBTDC Morgan House.
Amenities available:
Rooms are well furnished with wooden floors.
Room service is available.
Laundry service is also available.
All the rooms are equipped with colour T.V.
In house restaurant facility is also available.
All rooms are equipped with attached western toilets.
24 hours running hot water.
Complimentary breakfast available.
Rooms Tariff:
Small double bedded room: 1 Nos: 1800/-
Standard double bedded room: 3 Nos: 2100/-
Large double bedded rooms: 1 Nos: 2800/-
Deluxe double bedded rooms: 1 Nos: 3500/-
GST and other charges are as applicable, payable at spot.
20% discount for senior citizens on the room tariffs only.
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)
Distance booking is also done through mail or whats app. Guests need to deposit the full booking amount (room tariff only) to the said bank account either by NEFT/ Fund transfer/ cheque deposit. Accordingly the booking confirmation slip will shared by mail.
