Top 7 Places To Visit In Kalimpong District (West Bengal)

The Kalimpong district covers some of the Darjeeling Hills. This area consists of a lot of picturesque attractions scattered throughout.

The soothing climate is ideal for the growth of a wide variety of flora, and the area is densely populated with nurseries, making it an iconic place to visit in West Bengal.

Some serene and pleasant villages and towns to stroll around and explore are also present here.

In this article, you will get to know about the following beautiful places to visit in the Kalimpong district,

Durpin Dara
Neora Valley National Park
Bindu
Suntalekhola
Deolo Hill
Lava
Lolegaon

Let’s see each of these places in detail.

1. Durpin Dara

Distance from NJP	77 km
Distance from Alipurduar	200 km

Durpin Dara means “binocular hill” in the local dialect. Simplifying it means a good pair of binoculars can provide a great view of lovely nature. It is one of two hills connected by a ridge on which Kalimpong is situated.

The hill provides a panoramic view of Kalimpong, the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Sikkim, the Teesta River, and the Jelepla Pass in the distance. Just below the summit, there is also a golf course.

The Dalai Lama consecrated the Zang Dhok Palri Monastery on top of the hill in 1976. The monastery’s reliquary contains 108 volumes of the Kangyur, along with a few holy books and scrolls removed from Tibet after the Chinese invasion. This location is uniquely spiritual, and simply walking around this magnificent structure can provide mental peace.

There is also a famous botanical garden here. If you can plan a peaceful vacation to Kalimpong, visit this mesmerizing place.

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2. Neora Valley National Park

Distance from NJP	110 km
Distance from Alipurduar	174 km

The Neora Valley National Park in Kalimpong is an ideal destination for nature lovers and trekkers, with a diverse ecology of flora and fauna, lush green valleys, meandering rivers, and snow-capped mountains in the backdrop.

The park is home to various endangered species such as Leopards, Red Pandas, and Musk Deer and spans 88 square kilometers with elevations varying from 1,500 meters to 3,000 meters and is fed by the Neora River.

Black Bears, Sloth Bear, Golden Cat, Leopard Cat, Goral, Barking Deer, Sambar, and Himalayan Flying Squirrel are found here.

The park’s varied geography allows you to see a variety of avifauna at various altitudes, including the Rufous-throated Partridge, Chestnut Headed Tesia, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Brown Wood Owl, and Mountain Hawk Eagle.

King Cobra, Green Pit Viper, and Lizards are very common here.

The park also comprises other tourist attractions like Tiffin Dara and Red Panda Camp.

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3. Bindu

Distance from NJP	110 km
Distance from Alipurduar	138 km

Bindu is an offbeat destination perched at an altitude of 2000 ft. along the beautiful Jaldhaka river. The meandering river stream along the picturesque hamlet creates a natural border between Bhutan and India.

Bindu is one of the lesser-known hill stations with breathtaking views but gradually increasing in popularity recently.

It is well-known for its cardamom plantation.

Traveling through the thick deciduous forest of Chapramari, West Bengal’s oldest forest reserve, and spotting wild animals like bison and elephant to reach Bindu can be an enthralling experience.

It is also known as the last village of West Bengal, as it lies on the Bhutan border. Most people visit the place to see Bhutan up close. There is also a market here that sells Bhutanese items.

The place looks alluring in different seasons. If you are lucky, you can also get a glimpse of snow-capped mountains and experience the serene ambiance of Bindu.

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4. Suntalekhola

Distance from NJP	90 km
Distance from Alipurduar	132 km

Suntalekhola is a small hamlet in Dooars, located at an elevation of around 750 meters. It means “orange stream” in English and is a lovely and peaceful tourist destination.

The WBFDC cottages or river camps are the best places to stay here because they provide a clear view of the lush green landscape and high mountains.

Suntalekhola is the starting point of several trekking routes, most leading to the Neora Valley National Park. This is undoubtedly a paradise for adventure seekers. The entire path of these treks is picturesque, complete with lush tea gardens, mountains, and small streams.

There is a suspended footbridge that leads to the Suntalekhola Nature Resort. You can spend time here admiring and exploring nature. Being close to mother nature also allows a golden opportunity for bird watching. This location is well-known for its abundance of unique bird species.

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5. Deolo Hill

Distance from NJP	77 km
Distance from Alipurduar	197 km

Deolo Hill is a picturesque hilltop located northeast of Kalimpong. It is perched at around 2000 meters and is the highest point in town.

It is one of two hills that stand between Kalimpong and the town of Durpin Hill. It is also home to a massive reservoir.

You can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding villages of Relli Valley and Teesta River, as well as the town of Kalimpong, from the top of this hill.

On a clear day, the snow-covered mountains of West Sikkim can be seen from here.

You can also visit a Buddha Statue perched on a large stone, a small Shiva temple, and a large Hanuman temple near the hill.

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6. Lava

Distance from NJP	109 km
Distance from Alipurduar	172 km

A dense forest of Berch, Pine, Fir, and Juniper trees surrounds Lava. It is one of the few places in West Bengal where snow falls during the winter.

Lava, untouched by modernity, serves as the gateway to the Neora Valley National Park, an unexplored Himalayan terrain.

The drive to Lava is scenic, with the vegetation changing from tropical deciduous to wet alpine trees. Lava is well-known for its breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga as well.

It attracts a large number of nature lovers and adventure seekers. Lava Monastery, also known as Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, is a famous attraction in Lava and is Built-in the Tibetan architectural style.

Lava is said to be a haven for bird watchers, as a lot of migratory species visit this place. The rusty-bellied short-wing, blue robin, finch, wren babbler, and many other rare birds are among them.

The region’s forests are relatively untouched and are teeming with wildlife, such as black bears and barking deer. A wide variety of orchids bloom on the hillsides and valleys here.

There are several trekking routes worth exploring in the nearby forests.

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7. Lolegaon

Distance from NJP	99 km
Distance from Alipurduar	221 km

Lolegaon is another charming village only 24 kilometers from Lava. This Lepcha village is known for its scenic beauty and is located at an elevation of 1675 meters.

The magnificent view of Kanchenjunga through the misty clouds makes it the ideal location for relaxing and planning your vacation.

And if you’re one of the lucky few, and the weather cooperates, you can even see Mt. Everest’s snow-capped peak glittering in the sun of the breaking dawn.

Depending on your interests, the best months to visit Lolegaon are September to June.

The ethereal beauty of the mountains is at its peak at this time of year. Summers are preferred by those who want to escape the scorching heat.

Lava and Lolegaon both have similar climatic conditions.

Because both of these villages are located at a higher elevation, they have excellent and pleasant temperatures all year. However, the evenings can be chilly, even freezing.

The slice of heaven surrounded by the cold and misty clouds of mountains will leave you mesmerized. The original beauty of this hilly hamlet will enchant you with its beauty and charm.

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These are some of the famous places to visit in Kalimpong.

If you are going to plan a beautiful vacation on the hills, these places in the Kalimpong district are apt.

You can explore the hills and come across many unique living creatures, capture them through your lenses and spend a beautiful time with your dear ones.

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