Day 1:

Mode of Transport: For hassle-free commute and make most of your time, hire a cab for the day’s sightseeing.

Town Tour

09:00 AM – 01:00 PM

Your sightseeing in Kalimpong begins at the Pine View Nursery.

This place has a huge collection of cactus species, something you don’t get to see elsewhere. You get to know how beautiful and colourful a plant like cactus can be. Folks having a knack for gardening will love to be here.

Time duration: 45 min – 1 hour

2 km from Pine View Nursery is the famous Gouripur House.

Gouripur House was the residence of Rabindranath Tagore. Although the property is in shambles, history buffs and admirers of the Nobel Laurette can pay a visit. At present the area is covered in thick vegetation and the roads are not accessible for vehicles.

In the news: The Wire

Time duration: 20 – 30 min

Later, head towards the Morgan House, 1 km from Gouripur House.

A British colonial mansion, Morgan House is an architectural wonder. The strategic location of the edifice offers clear view of the Kanchenjunga Peak. The property has been converted into a boutique hotel maintained by the state government and some of the renowned people had stayed in the past at this venue.

Just opposite of the Morgan House is the Army Golf Course.

Time duration: 45 min – 1 hour.

Next destination is Durpin Gompa Monastery.

The actual name of the monastery is Zang Dhok Parli Monastery and is located in Durpin Hills, hence the name! There are a couple of other monasteries in Kalimpong but this one is the biggest of the lot.

Time duration: 30 – 45 min.

For lunch, King Thai Restaurant in the supermarket is the place to be. This is an ideal place to stop-by. It sits right on the way to Deolo Hills from Durpin Hills.

Deolo Hills Sightseeing

02:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Post lunch, head towards the spiritual centre of Kalimpong, Mangal Dham Temple.

The temple is located at a distance of 1 km from the main market. The temple has soothing ambiance. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and has dioramas representing the scenes from Krishna Leela.

Time duration: 30 – 45 min.

8 km from the temple is Kalimpong Science Centre.

If you are travelling with kids, then this is an interesting place to be. The science centre showcases a large collection of scientific objects and carries out fun-filled activities and experiments. Beside this, the garden is known for its scenic beauty.

Time duration: 45 min – 1 hour.

And finally, you wind up your day at Deolo Park.

Just 1 km from the science centre, Deolo Park is an ideal place to spend your evening after having a long day. Activities like horse riding and paragliding are done at this spot. The panoramic view of the valley is something to endure.

Time duration: 1 – 2 hours.

Also read: Best Area To Book your Hotel in Kalimpong

Day 2:

Mode of Transport: For hassle-free commute and make most of your time, hire a SUV or a Jeep (highly recommened) for the day’s sightseeing.

Advice: Put on trekking shoes for the day’s sightseeing.

Jungle Trek

06:00 AM – 01:00 PM

Begin your day early and head towards Neora Valley National Park. The journey would take close to 90 min.

You need to obtain permits before entering the forest.  Permits are obtained from the Forest Ranger Office in Lava. By getting here early you can avoid rush and save ample amount of time.

Vehicles are allowed till Zero-Point and at this point you will be provided with a guide who will be assisting you on your trek, covering important view points and providing essential details and information. The trekking is of moderate level and having the guide (ranger) makes it a lot easier. The trek would take around 90 – 120 mins.

Time duration: 4 – 5 hours.

After this, your next stop will be Changey Falls.

The falls is situated with the Neora Valley Forest premise but the route is separate, via Kolakham village. You have to walk for 15 minutes before reaching the site of the falls. There are multiple homestays at Kolakham.

Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours.

For lunch, you will find plenty of small and medium restaurants in Lava.

Lava and Rishop Sightseeing

02:00 PM – 05:00 PM

After quenching your hunger, head towards Kagyu Thekchen Monastery and Retreat Centre.

An ancient monastery, Kagyu Thekchen Monastery also serves as an institute where monks participate in special courses in Buddhist philosophy. Due to its high altitude, the monastery is covered in clouds making it a paradise for photographers. For more info, you can check www.jamgonkongtrul.org

Time duration: 45 min – 1 hour.

The final destination for the day is Rishop.

5 km for Lava, Rishop is a quaint village that has become a favourite spot for tourists to get the view of majestic Himalayan range. Tiffin Dara is the point for watching sunset along with the Kanchenjunga Peak. But to get there, you have to trek for 1 km through the forest. If the day is clear with little cloud cover, then you should not skip this trek. (Not advised for elderly people).

Time duration: 1 – 2 hours.

Also read: Darjeeling Itineraries

Day 3:

Off-Beat Attractions

09:00 AM – 03:00 PM

You can check out from your hotel in Kalimpong and can explore Teesta Bazaar, Triveni Spot, and Lamahata on your way to Siliguri or Darjeeling.

Teesta Bazaar: An ideal spot for buying local handicrafts and souvenirs for your loved ones.

Triveni Spot: This is the spot of confluence of two rivers – The Teesta and Ranjeet. The scenic view is truly captivating and stays in your memory for a long time.

Time duration: 30 – 45 mins

Lamahata: This is an ecological park that is well-planned and beautifully decorated. There’s a sacred pond on the top of the hill and to get there you have to trek for 1 km through the pine forest.

Time duration: 1.5 – 2 hours.

This will bring an end to your Kalimpong Tour.