Kalimpong (West Bengal)

Hotels & Resorts in Kalimpong

Hotel	Grade	Rate per couple	Plan
Deki Lodge	**	Tariff	Room only
Kalimpong Park Hotel	(Govt. Approved)	Tariff	Room only
The Soods Garden Retreat	**	Tariff	Room only
Hotel Tres	*******	Tariff	Room & All Meals

A beautiful hill town in North Bengal which can be reached from either Siliguri or Darjeeling. KALIMPONG – means king’s minister’s strong hold – a Bhutanese word. It is also called Kalimpong in local dialect meaning "black spur". As per Lepchas Kalimpong means ‘ridge where we play’. It is said that these local tribesmen used to organise field sports while not engaged in agricultural pursuit – hence the name.

Situated at an altitude of 1250 metres, it enjoys temperate climate throughout the year. Somewhat secluded and tucked away in the corner under big Darjeeling umbrella, Kalimpong offers a quiet and relaxed holiday, against the backdrop of the Kanchenjunga.

The journey from Darjeeling to Kalimpong is a beautiful experience. The road drops from Ghoom 7407ft. to Teesta Bazar 700 ft in 12 km and passes through lush green forests and tea gardens. A place called the Viewpoint or ‘Lovers Meet’, offers excellent view of the confluence of the Rangeet and the Teesta rivers, as also of the Himalayan mountain range from Durbindara summit. Kalimpong’s attractions include three Buddhist monastries, orchid nurseries, a sericulture centre and Dr. Graham’s Home, a large sprawling school set up in 1900 for educating the children of tea workers.

PLACES TO VISIT Kalimpong

Durpin Dara
Flower Nursaries (Shri Ganeshmoni Pradhan Nursary, Standari Nursary, Shri L.B.Pradhan Nursary etc.)
Gouripur House- 2 kms
Swiss Welfare Dairy- 4 kms
Tibetan Monastery

Kalimpong Places of Interest - Around Town
Panoramic snow views : Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu, Paunhari, Lama Anden, Chola, Nathu La, Jalep La and Gymochen peaks. Best view points are Durpin Dara and Deolo Hill-top.

Thongsha Gumpa : Oldest Gumpa built during the Bhutanese period, in 1630.
Durpin Monastery
Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang (Durpin) Monastery : is five kms from the city and was established in 1970 and consecrated personally by the Dalai Lama in 1976, it contains the Kanguyar, in 108 volumes, brought by the Dalai Lama when he fled. This Gompa has impressive wall paintings in the prayer hall and a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs. Excellent view point of Himalayan peaks and valley views.

Tharpa Choling Monastery : Belongs to the Gelukpa (yellow-hat) sect of Buddhism. Built in 1937.It is located on the Tirpai Hill about half an hours walk uphill from Deki Lodge

Nature Interpretation Centre : Operated by the Forest Department, focuses on flora, fauna and local people interacting with ecology.The Cenre is located in the Forest Office Complex close to town.

Colonial Bungalows : Built by British wool traders during the "Raj" period, located on Rinkingpong and Hill Top Roads. These include Surya Sadan, Crockety, Galingka, Morgan House, Tashiding, Ringking Farm. Of these, Morgan House and Tashiding, now Government Tourist Lodges, can be viewed.

Army Golf Club : Hewn out of a hillside, to keep officers fit for high altitude soldiering. Excellent angle for photography of Durpin Monastery from 3rd Green.

St. Theresa Church : Built by local craftsmen to resemble a Gumpa, it has wood carvings adorning the walls, depicting biblical scenes, in which personalities resemble Buddhist monks. An interesting example of Tibetan influences.

Flower, orchid and exotic flora nurseries : Gladioli, orchids, cacti, amaryllis, anthuriums, roses, gerberas, dahlias and other exotic plants are grown in a number of flower nurseries in Kalimpong, mainly for export.

Mangal Dhaam : This Hindu Temple is a marvellous piece of architecture. The temple has been built in the memory of the late Guru Shree 108 Mangal Dasji. The samadhi of the Guruji is located within the temple.

Dr. Graham's Homes Campus : Started in 1900, by Rev Dr. John Anderson Graham as an institution to house and educate offspring of British planters and local women, it is now a public School. Of interest are original buildings and chapel. The School celebrated its Centenary Year in 2000.

Deolo View Point : Atop Deolo Hill at 1914 metres. Excellent 360 degrees, panaromic views of the Himalayan snow peaks, Kalimpong town and the Teesta Valley.The beautiful Park on the hill top with the Horse & Yak rides is the added attraction. The Hill Council tourist lodge is also located here.

Kalimpong Bazar : Best explored walking. Shop for Buddhist Thankhas, hand-beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lanterns, copperware, hand stitched clothing, Khukris, local handicrafts and local cheddar-type cheese and lollypops.Market days(locally called 'Haat')falls on Saturdays and Wednesdays when villagers from surrounding villages flock to the market square to sell fresh vegetables,diary products and handicrafts.

Hanuman Mandir & Durga Temple : Located behind the Deolo Hill on the mountain ridge with spectacular views of Sikkim Hills and Darjeeling on one side and Kafer Hills and the Relli Valley on the other side is the Hanuman Mandir with the towering imposing Statue of the Hindu mythical god Hanuman and the Temple of Hindu goddess Durga in its vicinity.

Guru Rimpoche statue : Located quite close to the Durga and Hanuman Temples is also the newly built tall statue of the revered

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area : 3.5 sq. miles
Population : 40000(approx)
Temprature : Summer (Max 27 0 C) (Min 17 0 C) Winter (Max 15 0C) (Min 7 0C)
Best Season : March - Mid June, September - December
Clothing : Tropical in Summer and Woolen in Winter
Languages Spoken : Gorkha , English, Bengali, Hindi.
STD Code : 03552

HOW TO GET THERE?

By Air
Nearest airport Bagdogra (80 kms from Kalimpong) is connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati & other places of north-eastern Indian by Indian Airlines, Damania & Vayudoot services.

By Rail
Two nearest railway stations are New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Shiliguri where NJP is directly connected by rail with all the important places in India.

By Road
66 kms from Siliguri, 79 kms from Gangtok, 51 kms from Darjeeling. All reachable under 3 hours. Connections to Bhutan and Nepal. Kalimpong is connected by road with Calcutta 651 kms, Guwahati 513 kms, Delhi 1312 kms and other major cities in India. From New Jalpaiguri, Bagdogra, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Gangtok, taxis, share taxis and buses are available at regular intervals